Women's - What do I wear to a wedding

Once upon a time weddings were a big affair of the heart, but a simple occasion to plan. After saying yes, all a girl had to do was book the church, wait for summer, wear white and say 'I do'.

That was then - now, an engaged girl is quite literally spoilt for choice with year round nuptials, venues covering stately homes to sand dunes and dresses ranging from discreet to decadent. In short, tradition is out, anything goes. Great news for the bride - but where does that leave the guest?

Weddings may no longer be simple but, with a few signature looks, Debenhams can simplify your wedding guest style. A day to remember for bride, an outfit to cherish for you.

While weddings were once a formal affair, it is becoming increasingly popular to forgo tradition and embrace the carefree - with fashion falling in line. Tropical beaches are now becoming the wedding destination of choice, allowing the ceremony to boast a bohemian look and feel.

To achieve maximum, beach wedding style there is nothing better than the full-length glamour of the maxi dress. Patterned or plain, halter or strapless, the beauty of the maxi is its ability to be glamorous or understated, always effortlessly chic. If you prefer a shorter style then soft lace, drape sleeve dresses are a gorgeous alternative.

Style Icon: Joss Stone

For bohemian, beautiful beach style the option is there to play around a little with your headgear. The key is to choose a relaxed, simple style with a touch of the decadent - it is a wedding after all. We suggest a corsage headpiece, or even a diamante headband.

A beachside ceremony can be a bright and breezy way to wed, in more ways than one. Keep the chill of out the ceremony with a classic pashmina to stay pretty and practical.

When it comes to jewellery opt for a mix of chunky bangles to perfectly complement the boho style.

Opt for a smouldering Bronze Goddess look. Enhance the eyes with shimmering golds and browns and sweep the face with a bronzer to create a heavenly glow. Subtle and neutral shades work best for the lips.

Be the wedding located on a sandy dune or a seaside pier, this is one of the few formal occasions where heels are out, flats are in. A must-have for many a glamorous wedding and holiday, flip flops are no longer simple beachwear essentials, but fashion favourites readily available adorned with sparkle.

A city wedding is the perfect chance to go all out and dress to impress. Think chic and tailored and you're well on your way to true guest glamour.

Evoking a current trend into simple, tailored style is a clever way to make classic stay current. For a city wedding, simple styles are key - with peplum, sleek prints and bold colours each on-trend examples of how to make a modern day statement.

Style Icon: Sarah Jessica Parker

An appealing aspect of the modern city wedding is the fun to be had with the hat. As with other accessories, the style rule goes that 'less' in the outfit, means more for the hat - the bigger, the brighter... the better.

Ensure you have classic chic in the bag, by selecting a statement clutch. As with shoes, bags are a subtle way to show off your sense of fashion adventure - over-sized is a wonderfully modern take on simple. The same applies to jewellery, so set off that cluch with a statement ring.

Shoes are a fabulous way to vamp up your wedding guest look without upstaging the bride. If your dress is simple, chic and modestly toned, have a little fun with a burst of colour, print or sparkle at your feet.

Think full on silver screen glamour. The look can go one of two ways. Firstly experiment with bold lips but keep the rest of the face minimal with just a hint of blush and a touch of mascara. Alternatively, go heavy on the eyes with coloured lids and lashings of mascara but keep the lips neutral and glossy.

Ever since vintage fashion enjoyed something of a style resurgence a few years back, it appears that bygone chic is very much here to stay.

The beauty of a country wedding is that there really is no better place to channel quintessential British style, than in a English country garden...

With a wide range of vintage-inspired dresses, Debenhams has all the right ingredients for vintage glamour. Pretty prom dresses are a key style with floral prints, in particular, ideal for the coutryside.

Style Icon: Audrey Hepburn

For this vintage feel, a fascinator works better than a large, oversized hat - the dress should really do the talking for style from a different era. Don't go for too small a size - the fascinator is still a key item for the overall look.

Allow your toes to twinkle with Cinderella-esque styles, complete with sparkling adornments, perfect for the occasion. Nude tones are the key to keeping the look more fairytale than full-on fashion.

Delicate and dainty is recommended for this look, with the dress design striking enough to speak for itself. Satin or beaded, diamante clasp clutch purses are gorgeous accompanients to any outfit.

Opt for a smouldering Bronze Goddess look. Enhance the eyes with shimmering golds and browns and sweep the face with a bronzer to create a heavenly glow. Subtle and neutral shades work best for the lips.

For pasttime glamour it has to be chandelier earrings. Choose a pair not too big, not too small and the finished look will be one that's just right.

A day important enough to rival the most significant events in your own life, it's important to be careful that your chosen style doesn't rival that of your daughter.

A common mistake for the mother of the bride is to dress either too young, or too old, when really there is no option more suited to the occasion than classic, timeless elegance.

Say goodbye to traditional two-piece suits, hello to a bang up-to-date elegant and chic shift dress. If the knee-length cut of a shift isn't for you, don't feel you can't go for maximum impact in a floor length maxi - just be sure to keep it flowing and flattering to be age befitting.

Style Icon: Helen Mirren

One accessory we suggest you have a little fun with, is certainly the hat. After all, you're the mother of the bride - make sure every guest can see you in pride of place, front row and centre. When selecting the shoes, think courts or peep-toes as ideal choices to complement your dress.

An essential for all ages and sizes, certain dress styles simply must be worn with shapewear. Sculpt your figure with the type that tones your tummy, or trim your waist with high-waisted shorts. When it comes to upper arms, wraps and boleros are perfect for discreetly hiding shape, while showing off style. Whatever your tricky area, we've a trick to treat.

If you've opted for a patterned dress, keep accessories classic and simple - a clutch is the perfect option for big style with little fuss. When it comes to sparkle, leave bling for the bride - jewellery should only feature in the fashion of a simple statement cuff or over-sized stud earrings.

Over applying foundation can make your skin look older as it cakes into fine lines. To avoid this use a lightweight liquid foundations and set with a loose powder for a look that young and fresh.

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