Each Monday here at The Stylish Planner, I will post a controversial topic with the intent of getting the dialogue going among fellow planners.  For the next few weeks, I will cover a series of “what to wear” posts regarding appropriate attire during the various stages of meeting with your client, attending industry events, networking meetings, etc.  Today, I wanted to touch on the big finale for us, the wedding or event itself.

I’d like to go on the record and let you know that I am generally conservative when it comes to attire.  I have some whimsical items in my wardrobe, but I tend to save those for certain events or when I am “off the clock”, so to speak.  When it comes to the event day itself (in my case that is 98% weddings), I typically go with basic black, either in the form of a dress or slacks with blouse/top.  I steer away from colored attire as much as possible and try to keep in mind that although I am attending a wedding, I am still working, so I want to look professional.  Here are my reasons for going conservative:

• Most of the time, my contract is with the parents of the bride.  Generally speaking, that puts my client at about 55 – 60 years of age, so I am working for a fairly conservative client.  My clients are attorneys, bankers, real estate agents – all fairly conservative occupations and these clients tend to invite a large number of work related friends and colleagues.  The last thing I want to do is call negative attention to myself by choosing loud colors or showing too much skin.
• I choose not to wear the bride’s colors (except perhaps in an accent piece such as a broach/flower pin on my lapel) so as not to be mistaken as a member of the wedding party.  I would never want to be mistaken for a bridesmaid helping out with the wedding.
• Although for the most part, I blend in with guests at a wedding, I am also identifiable because I wear a nametag with my name and company name/logo.  I think my appearance says, “She’s the one to ask if you have any questions” and I’m o.k. with that.
• Sticking with basic black dresses as my rule of thumb for wedding attire makes my wedding day choices easy.  These pieces are classic and I don’t spend the evening worried that I made a poor choice or that I am sending the wrong message to others.  Because 100% of business for my company for the past two years has come from referrals, I inevitably end up in a conversation with a guest who is planning a wedding or thinks they will be soon.  By the close of the evening, my goal is for them to have had an impressive interaction with my staff and I, as well as the recommendation of my client (their friend or colleague).

To me, it is all about knowing your client and what they expect.  Florists, event designers and photographers can get away with more eclectic attire choices in the name of creativity.  I’m definitely not saying this is how every wedding or event planner should dress, just that this is what has worked for my clients and I.  A planner with more of an emphasis on design could certainly be more adventurous.

As a point of reference, here is a photo of the dress I wore to our last wedding:

Join me next Monday for the “What to Wear” series as I discuss what to wear to evening events such as associational Holiday parties/industry events.

What do you think about this post?  What is your “go-to” attire for the actual wedding/event?