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  • Home Blog The Ultimate Guide to Summer Wedding Season

    The invites are in, the RSVPs have been sent, and wedding season is upon us, meaning it’s time to start prepping for the celebratory couple’s big day. Whether you’ll be attending one wedding or several, we’ve got plenty of gift ideas and outfit picks that’ll help make wedding season a breeze.

    While you’re perusing wedding season essentials, be sure to make use of our search engine, StyList. With StyList, you can search multiple stores at Upper Canada Mall and save any items you love to a singular wishlist, making outfit and gift planning that much easier.

    Ready to be the best dressed guest this wedding season? Read on for our top wedding guest outfit and gift ideas.

    Shop our wedding season style edit

    Wedding Guest Outfits for Her

    Best Dress(ed)

    Image of a model wearing a strapless pistachio green satin gown

    Dynamite

    image of a woman looking at herself in a bathroom mirror. she wears a neutral coloured satin dress with a low back

    Aritzia

    H&M

    H&M

    When it comes to summer wedding guest dresses, the options are endless, which can be both exciting and overwhelming at the same time. The silhouette and style you choose is largely dependent on the wedding’s dress code. For formal and black-tie weddings, you’ll want to dress to impress. Opt for longer gowns in luxe fabrics such as satin, tulle and silk in rich gem tones or, of course, classic black. For a cocktail wedding, a midi-style length with eye-catching details is a great pick, while outdoor ceremonies may be better suited to shorter hemlines, lightweight fabrics and floral prints (though midi and maxi dresses work well, too!).

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    (Jump)suit Up

    image of a model wearing a spaghetti strap light pink jumpsuit

    Aritzia

    Image of a model wearing a blue jumpsuit

    Laura

    RW&CO

    RW&CO

    If a dress isn’t your vibe or you’re looking for something different, try a jumpsuit. Not only do they offer the elegance and chic-ness of a dress, but they also offer the comfort and ease of pants and are so much easier to dance in. Like wedding guest dresses, there are plenty of options when it comes to jumpsuits, and the one you pick is, again, dependent on the dress code. For a daytime or outdoor wedding, linen or poplin in a soft hue or floral pattern is a great pick, while more formal events call for tailored silhouettes in luxe fabrics.

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    Fancy Feet

    image of a woman wearing satin pointy toed pumps

    H&M

    image of orange heeled sandals on a wooden stool

    Aldo

    Call It Spring

    Call It Spring

    A wedding guest outfit isn’t complete without the perfect pair of footwear to match. When searching for a wedding guest shoe, look for a pair that is not only stylish and versatile (bonus points if you can wear them after the wedding!) but also chic and comfortable. A strappy sandal in a neutral hue is a great choice and comes in both a stiletto and block heel (for added comfort). A classic pointy-toed pump is also a classic pick and comes in a variety of heel heights and fabrics to suit every style. And if you want to go all-out, find a shoe with fun details such as crystals, pearls or feathers to really make a statement.

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    Add Some Glam

    close up image of a model wearing layered gold necklaces

    Michael Hill

    close-up image of a model wearing white lace pants and holding a white clutch with a gold chain

    Michael Kors

    Sephora

    Sephora

    Regardless of the dress code, accessories are a great way to spice up any wedding guest outfit. Plus, if you need to repurpose a simple dress for the multiple celebrations you’re attending this season, you can use them to change up your look without having to spend on an entirely new outfit. Whether it’s adding long mesh gloves to add some glamour and elegance to a casual dress, adding some opulent earrings or necklaces or switching up your purse from a straw bag to an evening clutch to go from day-to-night, never underestimate the power of accessories! And don’t forget – you can switch up your wedding guest outfit with your beauty looks, too! For an outdoor, casual wedding, soft, bronzed makeup will do the trick, while a more formal affair may call for a smokey eye or a bold lip.

    Shop jewelry | Shop handbags | Shop makeup

    Wedding Guest Outfits for Him

    Sophisticated Suiting

    image of a man wearing a black suit with a white dress shirt and grey tie

    Hudson's Bay

    image of three men wearing summer suits

    Tip Top Tailors

    RW&CO

    RW&CO

    The obvious wedding guest outfit choice for men is the suit. If you’re looking to go the classic route, you can’t go wrong with a black or navy version (or a tux, if the celebration calls for a more formal look). However, if you want to switch things up, opt for a version in a lighter colour (think tan, khaki, olive or sage green) in a fabric like linen and cotton.

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    Not Your Average Dress Shirt

    image of two men in a desert. the one on the left wears a striped crochet button up shirt and beige pants. the man on the left wears a light blazer, a white polo shirt and light pants

    H&M

    stacked dress shirts

    Tip Top Tailors

    Banana Republic

    Banana Republic

    Not a fan of suits? Try ditching the blazer altogether and pairing pleated dress pants or chinos with a statement-making dress shirt. Floral or tropical print dress shirts are great for a casual summer wedding, as is a classic polo or a printed silk short-sleeve button-up.

    Shop dress shirts

    Statement-Making Shoes

    image of a model showing off a blue suede shoe

    Aldo

    close-up image of a model wearing black pants and white sneakers

    H&M

    Steve Madden at Hudson's Bay

    Steve Madden at Hudson's Bay

    When it comes to wedding guest footwear for men, the classic loafer or dress shoe is a no-fail pick. Whether you choose a black, brown or blue hue in leather, patent or suede, the style can easily be worn at post-wedding festivities. And for those looking for a more casual, cool option, try plain white sneakers to give a modern look to a classic suit.

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    Unforgettable Wedding Gifts

    image of a man in a kitchen using a pourover coffee device

    Hudson's Bay

    image of a dyson air purifier in a room

    Shoppers Drug Mart

    Celebrate the happy couple with a gift they’ll remember. Big ticket items like a cordless vacuum, air purifier or espresso maker will help them get settled into their new home as will kitchen essentials like an air fryer, cast iron skillet or a dishware set.

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    Match the Occasion

    promotional image for a UCM gift card. It shows a woman wearing a black and white houndstooth blazer and black and white polka dot skirt holding black and white shopping bags. A UCM gift card is also in the image

    Present the happy couple with a gift they’ll certainly say “I do” to – an Upper Canada Mall gift card. Our physical gift cards are great for the traditionalist, while our E-gift cards can be personalized with a video message to wish them a joyful future together. You can even team up with friends for group gifting!

    GIFT NOW

    There’s no doubt that wedding season is an exciting time filled with love and celebration. Between celebrating love, getting dressed up, and having a great time on the dance floor, there’s so much to look forward to when it comes to these joyous occasions. Happy wedding season!

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