Inspiration for Wedding Guests

There's so much focus on wedding attire, but it's always the bride, groom and their bridesmaids in the lime light. However, we cannot forget that being a wedding guest can sometimes be stressful too! One of the main stresses being what to wear; many factors can get us worrying about our wedding get-up, are you under dressed, over dressed, wearing the same thing as someone else? We've got it covered; we've scoured Pinterest, Lookbook and fashion blogs to create your guide to wedding glad-rags.

The Tea Dress

Love Chiffon Sleeveless Dress, Custom made Shoes & New Look Floppy Hat http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

Tea Dresses have flooded onto the fashion scene for this summer. The look is all about colour, floral prints and flowy fabrics. If you have a dainty, petite frame, and are attending an outdoor wedding full of summer vibes, this dress is totally for you. Teamed with a pair of statement chunky heels your 40s day dress will be completely on trend. All the high street brands have their own takes on this ditsy number, here are a few of our favourites;

Lipsy Pansy Print Dress £50, Topshop Tea Dress £45 & Pepe Jeans Dress £85

Mini Dresses

Dare to bare this summer with a statement mini dress. There are so many ways to style a mini dress; team with a simple clutch bag, over-sized shades and a relaxed hairstyle for a chilled, casual outdoor wedding.

Motel Mini Dress http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

Sheinside Dress & Choies Bag http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

For the evening guest at an elegant hotel wedding reception, the outfit above is perfect. This pale pink flowy dress with jewel detailing oozes glamour. Team with nude, strappy heels and minimal jewellery to complete the look.

http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

This dress would be ideal for any wedding, however, at a vintage themed wedding this would really make you look the part. The embroidered detailing will accentuate an hourglass figure, and coupled with dangling gold earrings and red lipstick will scream 1920s.

Midi Dresses

Tadashi Shoji Black Lace dress & Yves Saint Laurent Heels

We understand that the mini dress is not for everyone, but the midi is a happy compromise. If you're not one for daring to bare, the midi dress can feel just as summery and glamorous without the self conscious worry of showing too much leg. The tight, one shouldered midi dress above is a perfect choice for a pear shaped or hourglass figure. Tied in the middle to accentuate your best assets, you'll feel a million dollars. Simple, plain black accessories are all that this outfit needs to be complete.

Anthropologie Dress http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

We found this similar shaped dress on Pinterest. This navy midi dress with lotus flower detailing is more suited to a day time wedding, with minimal accessories and strappy, delicate pale brown or gold shoes. Unfortunately we were unable to locate the brand of this dress, but we've seen many similar examples in Monsoon at great prices.

http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

Another style of midi you will come across is the A-line midi, extremely similar to a dress that Kate Middleton was seen in, this dress is elegant and beautiful. Accessories aren't needed, this dress will make more of a statement with extremely subtle heels and a sharp, simple clutch bag.

The Maxi Dress

H&M Dress http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

Maxi dresses have always been a popular choice for summer wedding attire. This sage green maxi dress will scream Grecian Goddess when teamed with a plaited up-do and golden oversized clutch bag.

Oarry Dress http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

This dress also has a Grecian feel to it; the wrapped 'toga style' bodice and plaited hair flaunt  Mediterranean vibes. Mint green is a hugely popular colour this year and looks great with simple silver jewellery or elegant pearl earrings.

Mood & Closet Maxi http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

French Connection Maxi http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

Black is THE statement colour... of all time. Whether it be the main colour of the dress or bold stripes from head to toe, you can always count on black to make you stand out. However, black can also be THE boring colour... of all time, when not accessorised correctly. Gold statement necklaces are everywhere at the moment, Topshop have a really lovely and affordable range. For an all black maxi dress, a statement gold necklace is a must. For the stripey, coral and black maxi dress, it is important to accessorise in a minimalistic manner. Summer bangles and a small clutch bag are all you need.

But I don't want to wear a dress?

We hear you. Some of you just do not want to wear a dress, and that is absolutely fine. There are some really beautiful alternatives for dresses, whether you fancy a pant suit, flowy statement trousers or a skirt and top combo.

http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

This pant suit will still have you hearing 'wow's from your fellow wedding guests. We love the tailored fit of this jacket, pinched in at the waste with a gold chain. The look is a winner.

David Christian Shirt & pant http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

Not the tailored kind of girl? You can still look ultra-modern and stylish in a plain blouse and flowy trouser combo. A chunky bracelet will aid your colour blocked outfit.

Front Row Shop Top and Skirt http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

If these alternatives still aren't feminine enough for you, you can always opt for a skirt and top rather than a dress. Tucking a smart blouse into an a-line skirt is a great alternative if you fancy something different. This sheer polka dot blouse is the perfect texture to contrast against a simple a-line pleated skirt. Top off with a blazer to keep the look smart.

For the Gentlemen

It's not just the ladies that find themselves in a tizz when it comes to hunting down the right wedding outfit. Men are in the same boat; whether it's an outdoor summer wedding or an indoor evening wedding reception, it's vital that you're looking dapper, right?

http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

We'd like to kick-start the gentleman section with one of the most iconic of gentlemen, Mr David Gandy. Some worry that the black tie suit has been over done, and it will no longer wow at a wedding reception. Wrong, if you've got a well cut, tailored suit and a cracking pair of smart shoes, this look will always be a winner.

Frank and Oak Shirt, Banana Republic Jacket, Wdny Tie, Ray Ban Clubmaster Sunglasses http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

J Crew Shirt http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

Now, in contrast, textured blazers are hugely popular in the fashion world this year, and they're extremely versatile. Layer over checked, plain or striped crisp shirts, team with jeans, navy chinos or smart trousers and dress with textured wool or striped silk ties. You can make this look yours. Avoid loud colours and over accessorising. A modern tie pin and long-toed brown wing tips are as far as you need to go to spruce up this look.

http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

If you're attending an outdoor wedding outside of the summer months, why not opt for tweed? It's another texture which has raced onto the fashion scene this year, and we at The Pot Kiln Anywhere love it! Add a paisley pocket square to keep the look unique.

http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

And now, for something a little louder. Why not dress to impress at a sun-filled summer wedding with checked prints, bow ties and chunky wayfarer glasses? Without going overboard, geek chic can be a great look for a wedding guest when kept to a subtle minimum.

As you can see, there are hundreds of ways to look great a wedding reception. So sit back, take a breath and plan your outfit. It's such a fun part of being invited to a wedding, and there is no need to get yourself in a tizz. Lookbook.com is a fantastic website for you to gather inspiration; users post their outfits and list the brands that they are wearing so that you can easily get the look you love.

Head over to our Pinterest board to see more of our 'Wedding Guest' ideas and outfits, and the origins of the photographs used in the blog post; http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/guests/

Colour of the week

This week's colour of the week is popular purple! 2011 saw the colour purple as the most popular colour of the year. Then in 2012 TheKnot.com and TheWeddingChannel.com revealed that purple was still reining amongst the most used colour schemes, once again. 

There are so many different ways of incorporating colour schemes into your wedding. Your cake is such an important part of your wedding, and needs to fit into your theme to keep the colour flowing. Both of these cakes show how differently the colour purple can be interpreted. The cupcakes are so elegant and simple, whereas the wedding cake features a lot more detail; ombre icing and delicate purple and yellow flowers.

If you can't find a purple flower you're fond of, don't panic. You can still slip your colour scheme into your flower arrangements. Mason jars are such versatile vessels that you can do so much with; use a purple chalk paint to cover the jars and sandpaper the surface to bring out the details. Simple, ditsy baby's breath is a perfect flower for your mason jars.

If your chosen purple is more of a darker, bluer purple, lavender is a great flower to use. With such a simple stem with no leaves, tall vases and bottles are a really good way of showing them off. Use mismatched glass bottles to add a vintage feel to your wedding.

To subtly bring purple into your bouquet, choose a single flower in a much softer, washed out hue. Against this more vibrant dress, with pinks and dark berries, this bouquet looks beautiful!

If you don't fancy big bright pinks and peaches to bring out the purple, balance out your purple flowers with soft white petals and grey leaves. These bird cages look so charming with subtle colours for a much more elegant and classic feel.

Purple or pink? Rather than a blue-purple, a lot of couples have opted for a more dusky pink-purple, at the other end of the spectrum. This is a much less bold, softer way of using the purple colour scheme. We really love the mismatched glass wear on this table, mix pinks with purple to break up the colour on your table.

The blue-purple would be much too bold for your wedding make up, however the softer, dusky pink-purple is a fantastically subtle colour for your eyes. Gradient the colour from the inner corner to the outer, to give a dramatic, beautiful look.

The less obvious ways of using your colour scheme are often very effective. Your reception drinks are a good way of starting any type of theme off for your wedding. Colour can be incorporated in various ways; in the colour of the drink itself, the glasses, fruit or ice in the glasses, or the straws which you put in the glasses. For a more interesting and unique, summer reception drink try making a blackberry cocktail, with real blackberries to float in the glasses and dark purple straws.

Check out our pinterest board http://www.pinterest.com/potkilnanywhere/perfect-purples/ for more popular purple inspiration!