Collection: Rehearsal Dinner Dresses

A cocktail dress or dressy midi, one step below what she plans to wear to the wedding. Satin, lace, and polished minis all work at dressy venues; elevated casual suits a backyard dinner. Guests skip white in every case, since that is the bride's night for it.

Less formal, almost always by one full step. A black-tie wedding points to cocktail attire the night before; a cocktail wedding points to dressy casual. The venue confirms the register: country club means polished, backyard means elevated casual.

No. Many brides plan a white dress for the rehearsal dinner, so wedding week treats white, ivory, and cream as her colors at every event. Blush and champagne that read clearly pink or gold, and every other shade, keep guests in the clear.

Traditionally white or ivory in a lighter register than the wedding gown: a little white dress, lace midi, or satin slip. It distinguishes her on the night both families meet and gives the white dress a second moment before the aisle.