Rehearsal Dinner Dresses for the Bride and Guests

For the bride, a rehearsal dinner dress is often a white or ivory midi or mini, a step less formal than the wedding dress. For guests, it's a cocktail or dressy casual outfit in any color except white, matched to the venue.

Below: white dresses for the bride, guest options that don't come in white, the shoes and bag that go with both, and a short checklist. Check the invitation first, since a backyard barbecue and a private room at a restaurant call for different outfits.

White rehearsal dinner dresses for the bride

White for the bride at the rehearsal dinner is a popular choice, not a rule; any color she likes works. These three are offered in White. The photo on each card may show another color, so choose White on the listing. The engagement party has its own guide: engagement party dresses, with white looks for the bride and a colored one for guests.

A pleated midi

PRETTYGARDEN's midi is sleeveless and pleated with a high waist, in all-viscose fabric, sizes Small to XX-Large, offered in White. Pleats move well, and a midi length suits a restaurant or a garden. The listing says hand wash only.

A corset-style mini

IWD's mini has a square neck, a corset-style bodice and an A-line skirt in a double-layer fabric, in sizes XX-Small to X-Large, offered in White. A double layer usually helps with white; still hold it up to the light before the night. It's the fun choice for a dinner that turns into drinks. Machine wash, per the listing.

A satin slip midi

The SITELUOYG midi is a satin slip with a cowl neck and adjustable straps, in sizes X-Small to X-Large, offered in White. The listing says it's unlined and that the white is a bit see-through, so plan on a skin-tone slip or smooth, skin-tone underwear. Hand wash only per the listing.

Rehearsal dinner dresses and outfits for guests

A rehearsal dinner dress for a guest follows the venue and skips white, ivory and cream, which in common practice are left to the bride unless the couple asks otherwise. The dinner usually sits a step below the wedding in formality, so if the wedding is black tie, cocktail attire fits the night before. By venue:

• Restaurant or private dining room: a cocktail dress, a dressy jumpsuit, or a midi with heels.
• Backyard, brewery or beach: a sundress or a casual midi, with sandals or flats.
• Country club or formal venue: a cocktail dress and heels, maybe a wrap for later.
• Invitation says dressy casual: see dressy casual wedding attire for what that code covers.

Neither of the two picks below comes in white, which makes them easy guest choices.

A one-shoulder cocktail dress

BTFBM's one-shoulder dress is ruched, with a ruffle sleeve and a zipper, knee length, in sizes Small to X-Large. Knee length and one sleeve suit a restaurant dinner, and ruching across the body is forgiving. The listing says machine wash.

A lace jumpsuit

The CHICME jumpsuit is off-shoulder with long sleeves and lace and floral embroidery details, in sizes Small to X-Large. A dressy jumpsuit is a good answer for a dinner where you'll stand, mingle and maybe dance, and long sleeves help at a winter wedding. Hand wash only per the listing.

Shoes and a clutch for the rehearsal dinner

Low slingback heels

Rilista's slingbacks have a pointed toe, a 2.75-inch heel (the listing calls it a kitten heel) and an adjustable buckle strap, in sizes 5 to 11, offered in White. A lower heel is easier on a lawn than a stiletto and easier to stand in through a long toast. In White, they go with any of the bride's dresses above.

A satin flower clutch

BABEYOND's triangle clutch has satin flowers and a zipper, 6.9 x 7.9 inches, offered in White. It's a small bag with a lot of detail, so let it be the one fancy accessory.

For a winter wedding weekend, the winter cocktail dresses all have sleeves, and winter wedding guest dresses covers the big day itself. More ideas are in the Wedding Guest Dresses hub.

What to wear to a rehearsal dinner: a quick checklist

1. Read the invitation for a dress code. Without one, cocktail or dressy casual fits most rehearsal dinners.
2. Match the rehearsal dinner outfit to the venue: heels for a restaurant, flats or a kitten heel for grass.
3. Bride, choose white if you like. Guests, choose anything else.
4. Hold a white or satin dress up to daylight before the night and plan underwear to match.
5. Bring a wrap or a jacket if the dinner runs late or outdoors.