It's August, and wedding season is deeply upon us! As I’m at the start of my 30s, and all my beautiful friends are partnering up and taking the next step in their love lives, I’ve attended about four weddings every six months over the last couple of years. As a wedding guest, I’ve learned a thing or two about dressing for all occasions—things like bold dress codes, dressing for black tie occasions without wearing black, and casual yet chic looks for weddings on location: in the heat, the cold, the jungle, you name it.
Before I dive deep into my fashion tips on wedding guest style, I’d love to introduce myself: My name is Mecca James-Williams, a tenured stylist, creative consultant, and fashion editor. It’s been a wild ride of adding my vision to shoots, my perspective to cultural zeitgeist pieces, and giving good ole girls’ girl advice on how to dress for life’s special moments. I have been living bi-coastal between Jamaica and New York, so my wardrobe over the last few years has evolved from outfit changes between Fashion Week and the event circuit to classic tees and shorts, as I tend to my garden and new company, Sweet Like JAM. More on that soon, but we are here to discuss fashion at weddings.
Below, I’ve included a personal case study of looks I and several friends recently wore to my good friend Naomi Elizee’s (fashion market director at Vogue) wedding to her partner Anthony Blue (DJ and founder of BIYDIY Records) in a quaint yet marvelous upstate ceremony at The Break Estates.
Lately, I’ve been in the business trenches of planning a pop-up store, so shopping for wedding guest dresses was at the bottom of my to-do list. I knew I had something in my closet that I needed to dust off, or a quick look I could pull from a few designer friends, so I did just that. The dress code was tailored to accentuate the guests’ style of choice with bright hues, bold silhouettes, and statement pieces with a classic twist. For me, weddings always bring big feelings, so the best you can do is look good!
Welcome Dinners
Welcome dinners are always the start of a nice celebration for the couple. When it comes to looks, I like to wear romantic numbers that pack a punch. This is the moment where you can wear a more fearless yet tasteful look as you are typically sitting with friends, drinking, and or dancing before the big hooray the next day!
I decided on a romantic Diane Von Furstenberg number, a beautiful dress in my closet waiting for its heyday, and I knew the welcome dinner was the perfect time. I tailored the dress to fit my bust with more coverage, added a scarf in a matching color, and decorated the look with sweet accents of yellow to pull the look together. We danced the evening away, and basked in the fact that we had a whole weekend to celebrate this couple, make a few reunions, and be tucked in nature upstate.
I wore this as a neck sarong.
Wedding Ceremony & Reception
My signature in life is color—it truly is a mood elevator. I never stray away from the opportunity to elevate a look with bright tones. I was preparing to wear a beautiful Spring/Summer '25 Tory Burch Set in a vibrant fuchsia with chocolate brown accents, but my package went missing—oh, UPS! As a stylist does, I always come with a backup option. I grabbed two of my archival Issey Miyake capes, and my friend David constructed a beautiful fuchsia and deep red color-blocked dress with a train and front bow. I felt so regal, yet comfortable. I paired them with my favorite vintage Manolos, a custom necklace from my favorite jewelry brand, Don’t Let Disco, and a classic leather pouch by my friend’s brand, Porto Studio.
Black Tie, Yet Not Black
My friend Nicole Sullivan wore a classic navy dress that read fresh out of a ’90s Ralph Lauren catalogue. Black tie doesn’t equate to wearing black only, even though it’s typically the easiest go-to!
Black with a PUNCH
Wedding guest Shay Johnson kept it classic with an all black look, but the bold accents of her dress, dainty strappy sandals, and eccentric sunnies created a no-notes look. She really doesn’t ever miss!
Bold Color Separates
Telsha Anderson Boone brought a bold color in monochromatic bright green to the party! Color is such an effective way to celebrate people and love, and in color theory, green means prosperity and growth. Sending warm regards with something as intentional as a wedding guest look is such a gift to the couple on their big day.
This colorful CJR set is a wonderful substitute for Telsha's.
The Not-So Simple Slip Dress
Slip dresses are a typical guest go-to for nuptials. They are forever classic staples, but it's a nice challenge to find moments that push up the ante. This crushed velvet slip dress on guest and singer Liv.e was the perfect dress that reflected her essence and style, but also read “classique”.
This Rat & Boa slip has a small twist that makes it unique like Liv.e's.
