IT'S WEDDING SEASON: WHAT TO WEAR FOR EVERY DRESS CODE

My favourite season has arrived! No, not summer (but really, who doesn't love summer?), wedding season! If you know me, you probably know that I love weddings. Like, really love weddings. Boyfriend and I are at that point in our life where we're invited to a few every year. This year is a great example, we have 3 in July and 1 in September! And, with every wedding comes an opportunity for a great outfit! What, you thought I wouldn't take this as a chance to go shopping?

I recently wrote a guest blog post for a friend of mine, Cait. Cait is a badass girl boss, and an Ottawa wedding planner with her company, Bourbon and Bloom. When Cait reached out and asked if I wanted to round up some of the best wedding guest attire I could find featuring Ottawa boutiques, I was all for it. You can head on over to Cait's blog to catch my round-up that I wrote for her and you can read on here where I'm going to share a few of my favourite accessories to go with these pieces.

Weddings range in dress code, from a garden party to a black tie affair. I've attended a wedding that fits every dress code, and while I don't consider myself an expert on etiquette (at least not yet!), I do consider myself an expert shopper.

Having versatility and options in your closet is important. I'm all for buying long-lasting, well-made basics (think nude and black heels, a little black dress, a navy blazer, etc) that you can always fall back on. When it comes to wedding guest attire, sometimes I go a little outside the box with my choice and pick a colour that I typically wouldn't gravitate towards, making it a piece that I save for special occasions. Other times I reach for a classic little black dress that carries me through, and can easily be accessorized with different jewelry or shoes to switch up the look.

Speaking of a little black dress, this J.Crew number was a good find at AMH Style, a beautifully curated consignment shop in Westboro. The classic fit and flare shape draws in your waist, creating a beautiful a-line silhouette that you can make your own with a bright pair of earrings (I'm obsessed with these Club Monaco earrings that are on trend right now!) or a block heel.

While I've got your attention on the topic of consignment shops, don't rule them out as an option for shopping! Why not breathe more life into a dress or jumpsuit that was once owned by someone else and give it a second chance at love as well! Being a wedding guest can add up by the time you factor in a gift, bachelor or bachelorette parties, a wedding shower, travel and accommodations, and a new outfit, so don't rule out second hand to give your budget a break!

This Paper Crown dress was also a find at AMH Style! If you really love this dress, it is still sold by Paper Crown in a number of colours. I seriously considered buying this one and wearing it to one of our weddings this summer! The dusty blue colour is perfect for summer and the two-tiered detail makes it great for dancing. Summer weddings typically mean scorching heat (hey, not that I'm complaining!) so wearing something that is breathable and you can dance the night away in is so important. I paired this dress with these Joe Fresh heels - an affordable addition to your wardrobe. The best part? I'll be wearing these heels to all of our weddings this summer because the colour goes with all of my dresses!

So you've received an invitation to a backyard or brunch wedding and you're not entirely sure what to wear? No worries, I've got you covered. Blush is one of my favourite colours this season and I'm looking for ways to incorporate this feminine shade into my life in a number of ways. This blush lace fit and flare is ideal for more casual weddings. By BB Dakota, this little number is available at Viens Avec Moi in Westboro. That being said, if you love this dress then you must go check out the shop! There are so many great pieces to choose from. I had a hard time deciding what to feature! If you remember this post from last summer, all of our dresses were from Viens Avec Moi, too! So that should give you a good idea of how incredible the selection is. You must head in and see for yourself! I paired this dress with a pair of Steve Madden heels similar to these, which are also an excellent addition to your wardrobe.

This coral knotted dress from Vincent in Little Italy is one of my favourites in this post. It is so flattering with the knotted detail at the waist and the perfect hem line that hits just at the knees. If you ask me, this dress fits the dress code for backyard to formal weddings - it's all about how you accessorize it. Although this dress certainly has a high price tag, sometimes it's worth the money to invest in something that will fit like a dream. Above anything else, you need to pop in and visit the ladies at Vincent. Peruse their curated collection of pieces and you're bound to find something you can't leave without! I wore this dress with my nude Steve Madden heels and kept my accessories really simple with a rose gold cuff.

Lastly, if you really want to get your bang for your buck and knock it out of the park with your outfit this wedding season, visit The Handmade Bride in Ottawa for a custom made Arroh and Bow dress. These infinity dresses are incredible. They are available in two lengths - cocktail or maxi - and can be styled in infinite ways to make this dress different every time you wear it. Not to mention they are available in a multitude of colours. I went with grey since it's so versatile, but the dusty rose and shades of mauve were a close second. If you're like me and have a number of weddings to attend this summer, this is a great investment because you can re-wear it to each, but alter how you tie it! This will give you an idea of the number of ways you can style this dress.

That, my friends, is only a small sample of what's available to you here in Ottawa. I'd encourage you to stop into the local boutiques and consignment stores and check out what unique pieces are available to you! Don't rule out jumpsuits and separates, too! The dress code doesn't have to stop at dresses. If shopping at boutiques is out of your budget, don't rule out consignment and thrift stores. Weddings are definitely expensive, so why not cut costs where you can! Big box stores are great, but you always run the risk that you'll roll up wearing the same dress as another guest, and who wants that?

Share your favourite boutiques with me, and what you're planning to wear to your weddings this summer! Don't forget to wear comfortable shoes so you can dance the night away. Happy wedding season!

A huge thank you to Photography by Emma for shooting these photos for me and crossing our fingers that the rain would stop in time! And a huge thank you to AMH Style, Vincent, Viens Avec Moi and The Handmade Bride for lending or gifting me the dresses to feature! I love supporting local girl bosses!