Wedding Guest - fascinator?

[CoffeeandCakeEqualsLove]

I'm attending my first UK wedding this summer (covid permitting, blah blah blah) so starting to ponder about what I should wear.

I'm American so feel unsure of what's typical! Do most wedding guests wear fascinators to "normal" weddings? Would a cocktail dress be the expected choice? It's at a upscale golf/country club, if that makes a difference.

Honestly there's so much variation
There are no hard and fast rules
As long as you look smart and have made an effort. No jeans and top!
It can be a nice dress or nice skirt or nice trousers as long as it looks smart. Cocktail dresses good as well
People do wear fascinators but again you don't have to do it's up to you

It really varies tbh. I had a traditional church wedding and there was a few. I've also attended some where there was none and others where nearly everyone had something elaborate and over the top. I would say go with what your comfortable with. I don't think you would look out of place either way unless you went for something from a fashion runway at a registry office 🤣

I love the idea of wearing a fascinators...but don't look like an idiot! Guess I could have one in the car and suss out what other people are wearing on their way in..

Every wedding I’ve been to in the last 8 or so years has had a fair chunk of the women wearing fascinators

Every wedding I've been to ive worn one. Bit of fun, but if nod to tradition of wearing hats. I take it off after the meal though!

Go for it, you won't look out of place, unless it's a huge monstrosity x

Hmm, I think I would wear an outfit that can be dressed up or down, and as you said, check out what people seem to be wearing before you go in.

I love hats and fascinators, I like the feeling of being in a but if you hate them and will be constantly fiddling with it and uncomfortable, don't do it.

It's possible to go very minimalist. I am very happy that I own a Cherry Chau fascinator that I have so far worn to 9 weddings and a few parties, and I adore it. Here's an ebay one that I think would be very flexible.
this one

I would say that in general, Americans are better groomed than UK people, and that will stand you in good stead.

I would say that in general, Americans are better groomed than UK people

That's so interesting...I definitely don't feel more groomed than the UK people I'm around - but I think that's more about the socioeconomic group I'm around here.

Something minimalist is a good idea though. A nod to the tradition, without looking like the nutty American trying to recreate Four Weddings & A Funeral

Americans often wear what we would describe as evening gowns to weddings - that’s not usual at UK weddings.

Dresses tend to be shorter (not short, just rarely full length), more floral (not necessarily), more summery in colour and less glitzy than a US wedding guest outfit,

I wonder if that's another tv/movie misconception @Chewbecca. I've two a fair few American weddings and only one was a black tie, evening gown event. Most of the time a simple cocktail dress would be the standard option.

So sounds like it's probably similar wedding attire here...just maybe with a fascinator in my bag, just in case

I have never been to a wedding without wearing a hat or fascinator. However , I have been to weddings where I'm the only one. Personally I feel underdressed without one.

I was mother of the groom in 2019 and tied myself in knots over this! In the end I went bare headed because that's more me. And the total fascination count was low - just two out of 70 guests!!!
It was a posh London reg office in November

Whatever you choose you won't be out of place cos people do so many different things

Go for it with the fascinator, OP. I've always loved a wedding as it gives me an excuse to wear a hat. I love hats, they love me (for some unknown reason!) but I'd feel daft wearing one day to day. A wedding is the ideal opportunity to dress up a bit - but not too OTT, as others have said.

I haven’t seen anyone of my age group (early 30s) wearing fascinators at the many weddings I’ve been to in the last few years. I’ve only seen them in the mothers, aunties etc of the bride/groom. So it might depend on your age group. And even amongst that age group it seems most don’t wear them. To be honest they do seem a little dated to me.

You’ll get a clue from the dress code on the invite as well as maybe from looking at the venue - how smart it is, how traditional etc.

Generally a pretty summer dress, with good shoes, accessories and a good level of grooming will not leave you looking out of place.

I love a fascinator and would always wear one to a wedding unless it was super low key.

Do wear it, OP! I always wear a hat to a church wedding, and at least a fascinator for civil ceremonies. Love the tradition and glamour of head gear, and weddings are the only occasion for it (apart from horse racing!)

And I'm young! I agree not as many younger ones do it but the ones who do look fab

Oh that's good insight @Salanda
I'm mid-30s and the main group of guests will all be 30s, as well.

It is a pretty traditional venue though.

I blame US coverage of the royal weddings for my obsession with the idea of wearing one!

A cocktail dress suggests one that goes out at night (and can look tawdry during the day)

The knack is to find a day dress that can also go out at night (possibly with change of jacket, accessories etc)

@AuntieStella

A cocktail dress suggests one that goes out at night (and can look tawdry during the day)

The knack is to find a day dress that can also go out at night (possibly with change of jacket, accessories etc)

Agree totally. I had a slim fitting red sheath dress which looked fab in the evening but in the day had a quite boho black velvet long jacket in the day which looked luxe and kept me warm in November gloom. I felt fab!

If the service is in a church, you would traditionally wear a jacket or something to cover shoulders or cleavage

What do we think of these?

I would say both those dresses are completely appropriate for a summer UK wedding. Nice summer tea dress type vibes. Where are they from? And cocktail dresses also acceptable especially if it’s an evening rather than daytime event. You would not be out of place wearing a fascinator, it’s the only time people do other than for the races I guess! So if you want to wear one, go ahead! But certainly I don’t think anyone would blink an eye if you didn’t wear a fascinator/hat.

Fab!