The short answer
Wear one step less formal than the wedding itself. For a casual or backyard dinner, choose a printed midi or shirt dress with flats. For a restaurant, go semi-formal in a wrap midi with block heels. For a formal dinner, wear a dressy midi with heels and a clutch. Skip white, ivory and cream unless the couple asks.
This guide gives you a complete look for each rehearsal dinner dress code: the dress, the shoes and the bag, plus fall and winter layering for cooler evenings. Knowing what to wear to a rehearsal dinner starts with the night itself. It is a smaller, more relaxed evening with the couple, their families and the wedding party, and many invitations never name a dress code. One rule covers almost every invite, and the venue does the rest. The five steps below take you from reading the invite to choosing a color, with a finished outfit for a backyard gathering, a restaurant and a formal dinner. If your rehearsal dinner lands in fall or winter, the cold-weather section adds sleeves, knits, boots and a layer for the walk in. Every piece comes from our own racks and earns its place well beyond the wedding weekend, at date nights, holiday parties and dinners out with friends.
What to wear to a rehearsal dinner
1. Start one step below the wedding
Rehearsal dinners usually sit between smart casual and semi-formal, one notch under the wedding. If the wedding is black tie, a polished cocktail dress fits. If it is a garden wedding, a pretty midi is plenty. Check the invite, the venue and the couple's wedding website first. When nothing is stated, a midi dress is the safest choice for almost any room.
Tip: Unsure? Ask the couple or a bridesmaid. A quick text beats guessing.
2. Casual or backyard: shirt dress and flats
For a backyard barbecue, a brewery or a family-style dinner at home, keep it easy but put together. Our You're My Happy Place Midi Shirt Dress reads polished and still feels relaxed. Pair it with flat sandals or loafers that handle grass, and a small crossbody so your hands stay free. Leave denim shorts, tees and sneakers for another night.
Tip: Block heels or flats beat stilettos on lawns and patios.
3. Restaurant semi-formal: wrap midi and block heels
Many rehearsal dinners are held at a restaurant or private dining room, where semi-formal fits. A wrap midi hits the mark. The If You're Not the One Bubble Sleeve Midi Wrap Dress pairs a floral print with a tie waist and bubble sleeves that feel special without trying too hard. Add block heels and a structured shoulder bag to finish.
Tip: Nude or metallic block heels go with every print and walk easily between tables.
4. Formal dinner: bow midi and a clutch
When the dinner is at a hotel, club or upscale restaurant, dress up. The Bow-tiful You Midi Dress has a silky sheen, an A-line skirt and a statement bow, in fuchsia or turquoise. It feels dressy without competing with a wedding gown. Finish with slim heels, statement earrings and a small top handle bag or clutch, like our red velvet Sabrina.
Tip: Keep jewelry to one statement piece so the dress does the talking.
5. Choose your color and skip white
White, ivory, cream and pale champagne belong to the bride, unless the couple asks guests to wear them. Jewel tones, warm brights and rich florals photograph beautifully and feel celebratory. Avoid anything too revealing, head-to-toe sequins that outshine the couple, and athletic or beachwear basics. One metallic accent, like a boot or bag, is plenty. For an autumn dinner, berry, emerald and wine shades look right at home.
Tip: The bride may wear white tonight too, so let her have it.
Fall and winter rehearsal dinner outfits
Cooler months change the formula, not the rule. You still dress one step below the wedding, but you swap bare shoulders and sandals for sleeves, knits and closed toes. For a casual fall dinner, a long sleeve sweater dress is the easiest win. Our I Don't Want to Miss a Thing Long Sleeve Color Block Sweater Dress is a soft, stretchy knit in a midi length that skims the body, so it looks polished at a cozy restaurant or a winery. Pair it with ankle boots and a crossbody. For a dressier evening, the Skyler 2 Boots add one silver accent under a midi or sweater dress and make the look party-ready. Bring a cropped jacket or tailored coat for the walk in, then take it off at the table so the dress still shows. Darker shades, velvet bags and metallic accents all feel right for the season. Browse our fall dresses for more long sleeve and midi options.
Care and keeping
Rehearsal dinners often follow the ceremony run-through, so check the time between the two venues and plan your shoes for both. For a fall evening, pack a layer for the walk in, especially over a strappy dress, and choose sheer tights or closed toes. Steam the dress the day before.
Frequently asked questions
How formal is a rehearsal dinner?
Most rehearsal dinners land between smart casual and semi-formal, one step below the wedding. The venue is your best clue: relaxed for a backyard, polished for a restaurant, dressier for a hotel or club. When the invite says nothing, a midi dress with block heels is a safe choice.
Is it okay to wear jeans to a wedding rehearsal?
For the rehearsal itself, often held at the ceremony venue, dark jeans with a smart top can work if the couple keeps things casual. For the dinner afterward, a dress or tailored pants is the safer bet. When in doubt, ask the couple and skip distressed denim.
Can you wear white to a rehearsal dinner?
As a guest, it is best not to. Many brides wear white or ivory to their own rehearsal dinner, and you do not want to match her in photos. Skip cream and pale champagne too, unless the couple asks for white. Choose jewel tones, florals or rich fall shades instead.
