Behind The Yes: Bridal Shower Etiquette: What to Wear

The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and the bridal shower invitations are probably starting to pile up! What you may not know is that there is an etiquette to follow when it comes to what you should wear to a bridal shower. Don't get me wrong, no one should ever tell you what to wear, but understanding the unspoken rules of attire is about respecting and honoring the bride on her special day. So, listen up ladies: here's everything you need to know about picking your outfit for a bridal shower!

If you're the bride:
As the guest of honor, the shower is all about you, so don't be afraid to stand out! You're the only one who has the right to wear white, so seize your moment in the spotlight. Or, if you're the shy type and you worry about having all of the attention, you can opt for ivory or nude and even play with accent colors to make yourself feel a little more comfortable.

If you're a guest:
Your job is to shower the bride with love and surround her with friendship and congratulations, not steal the show. With this is mind, the first rule as a guest is to avoid wearing white; in fact, it's best to avoid ivory and light nude as well. Think of the shower etiquette as an extension of how you would behave at a wedding. You wouldn't wear white to that, now would you? Instead, opt for solid colors or prints. I would suggest avoiding black as well, unless the shower theme calls for it!

Of course the style all boils down to the formality of the gathering. Here are some outfit ideas for brides and guests based on the different types of themes!