Sandhya Garg — The Ultimate Wedding Guest Guide
New Age Wedding Dress Codes,
Explained and Decoded
California Formal · Bohemian Black-Tie · Farmhouse Chic · Gatsby Chic · Coastal Chic · By Sandhya Garg, Project Runway Designer
Quick Answer
Modern couples increasingly invent their own dress codes — “California formal,” “bohemian black-tie,” “farmhouse chic,” “Gatsby chic.” The decoding trick: every invented code is a base formality level plus a theme filter. Find the formality word (formal, chic, casual, soiree) to set your effort level, then let the theme word (California, bohemian, coastal, Gatsby) steer fabric, colour, and styling. Below, the eight most common new-age codes fully decoded — with exactly what to wear for each.
Is a wedding invitation giving you nightmares? You are not alone. Non-traditional dress codes have become the signature of new-age couples — a trend that began with destination weddings, where couples wanted guests to echo the location or build a colour palette that photographs beautifully, and has since spread everywhere. The result: invitations that read like riddles, and guests left with a genuine sartorial conundrum.
Be curious no more. As a Project Runway designer who has dressed guests for every one of these codes, here is each riddle solved — what the couple actually means, what she should wear, what he should wear, and the designer pieces that nail it. (Handling a classic code instead — black tie, cocktail, semi-formal? That decoder lives here: All Wedding Guest Dress Codes Explained →)
Translation: an elegant outdoor wedding, almost certainly golden-hour photos, so dress to impress — with sunshine factored in. Formal intention, breathable execution.
She should wear: a formal summer dress at tea, knee, or floor length — flowing florals and prints are the room’s uniform, hair can stay natural and loose. Sunglasses and a light wrap are non-negotiable; California evenings cool fast.
He should wear: a summer suit with shirt and formal shoes; most gentlemen will wear ties. Sunglasses, always.
Shop this code: the Carolina one-shoulder maxi ($265), or browse all garden wedding guest dresses.
Translation: nothing too stuffy, nothing too cool-for-school, and absolutely nothing that prevents you from getting down on the dance floor. Style with a wink.
She should wear: a bright printed midi, a cute pattern set, or an artistic sundress with personality — original over predictable is exactly the brief.
He should wear: a summer suit; bow ties and stylish sneakers are genuinely welcome here.
Shop this code: the Sophie bell-sleeve midi ($255), or browse all cocktail wedding guest dresses.
Translation: formal boho-chic — black-tie effort with bohemian soul. Embroidery, tassels, rich prints, and fringe all welcome on floor-length silhouettes. Oxblood, deep reds, browns, and black are the natural palette unless the couple specifies otherwise.
She should wear: a long maxi with statement sleeves, hand embroidery, or heritage print — the boho signatures executed in evening-grade fabric. (Full masterclass: How to Dress Boho Without Looking Costume →)
He should wear: a velvet suit jacket or a printed brocade tie/bow tie to add drama to a black suit; interesting shoes in shape or texture finish it.
Shop this code: the Marquis embroidered maxi ($328), or browse all boho wedding guest dresses.
“Farmhouse Chic” / “Fancy Ranch”
Translation: a rustic venue paying homage to beautiful nature — sunshine, earth, and texture. Think elevated countryside, not costume western.
She should wear: checks or stripes in earthy tones, floral embroidered dresses, or dressy separates — a printed jacket dress is a brilliant answer here. Block heels for grass and gravel, always.
He should wear: a check shirt under a summer suit — relaxed polish that matches the venue.
Shop this code: the Begum burgundy shirt dress ($288), or browse all ranch and barn wedding guest dresses.
“Coastal Chic” / “Elegant Beach Attire”
Translation: an elegant beach wedding — formal intention with sand-proof, breeze-proof execution.
She should wear: a flowing sundress or maxi in citrus colours or joyful print, with flat elegant sandals. Natural hair — loose curls with flowers photograph beautifully in sea air. (The complete guide: Beach Wedding Guest Dresses →)
He should wear: a summer suit with a linen shirt — no tie required — linen pants or khakis, and sandals.
Shop this code: the Duchess kaftan ($298), or browse all beach wedding guest dresses.
Translation: you are not restricted to black-tie — but you had better look good. It gives more leeway than “formal” and lets women dress up with essentially no rules. The couple is asking for visible effort and personal glamour.
She should wear: a dressy cocktail dress, a full-length statement, rich velvet, a bold print — anything that announces extra effort. Event hair and makeup; heels are the finishing signature.
He should wear: a formal suit or dinner jacket; tie and bow tie optional but welcome.
Shop this code: the Gaudi teal velvet wrap ($398), or browse all formal wedding guest dresses.
Translation: hello, 1920s — belle époque glamour. Gold, glitter, shimmer, and Art Deco geometry. The Leonardo DiCaprio film is the mood board: the hair, the makeup, the costume all serve as inspiration.
She should wear: a shimmering straight-cut dress, Art Deco prints or beaded detail, a flapper-inspired headband, matching heels. Sleek pinned hair completes the era.
He should wear: a formal double-breasted suit with a pocket square.
Shop this code: the hand-beaded Bella cocktail dress ($298), or browse all cocktail wedding guest dresses.
Translation: a dressier summer party — and honestly the most fun code on this page. Boundless colour, pattern, and the explicit invitation to get creative.
She should wear: a beautiful printed dress in colours you love, a woven cane bag, kitten heels or mules, and big loose curls. Statement earrings elevate a simpler dress instantly. (More formulas: Summer Wedding Guest Outfits →)
He should wear: a pastel linen suit, or a beautiful jacket with jeans for the most relaxed versions.
Shop this code: the Amber blue dress ($278), or browse all summer wedding guest dresses.
The New-Age Codes Edit · Artisanal · XS to 3XL
One Perfect Dress Per Code
Each piece below is matched to a code from this guide — original prints and hand embroidery, limited edition, so no other guest arrives in your dress.
Gatsby Chic · The Art Deco Answer
Bella Cocktail Dress
Hand-beaded Art Deco geometry in soft gold glass beads on black georgette, exactly the 1920s shimmer the code is asking for. Add a headband and pinned waves and you have walked out of West Egg.
Bohemian Black-Tie · Embroidered Evening
Marquis Blue Off-Shoulder Maxi
Black-tie effort, bohemian soul: handcrafted floral embroidery on royal blue, floor length, off-shoulder. Exactly what the code means — formal enough for the tie, artisanal enough for the boho.
California Formal · Golden-Hour Ready
Carolina One-Shoulder Maxi
Formal summer dress, decoded: floor-length flow, an original print in pink, purple and cobalt, and a one-shoulder balloon sleeve that photographs spectacularly at golden hour — the entire point of a California wedding.
Farmhouse Chic · The Earthy, Polished Answer
Begum Burgundy Shirt Dress
Rustic venues ask for earthy color and real structure. Burgundy cotton poplin, full sleeves for a cool barn evening, and a bow at the waist: polished like a suit, relaxed enough for string lights and block heels.
Coastal Chic · Elegant Beach
Duchess Red Kaftan
Elegant beach attire in one garment: a flowing heritage-print kaftan that moves with the sea breeze, pairs with flat sandals, and looks even better with loose curls and flowers in your hair.
Fabulous Attire · The Velvet Statement
Gaudi Teal Wrap Velvet Dress
“Fabulous” asks for visible effort and personal glamour — rich teal velvet in a wrap silhouette delivers both. The dress that says you understood the assignment completely.
Brooklyn Formal · Dance-Floor Approved
Sophie Green Midi
Not too stuffy, not too cool-for-school: an artistic scrollwork print, bell sleeves with personality, a scalloped lace hem — and a midi length that will absolutely get down on the dance floor.
Summertime Soiree · Colour You Love
Amber Blue Dress
The soiree formula, solved: turquoise-blue print, easy elegance, made for kitten heels, a cane bag, and big loose curls. Dressier than a garden party, breezier than cocktail — precisely the brief.
Bohemian Black-Tie · The Sculptural Alternative
Haveli One-Shoulder Dress
Named for the ornate mansions of India, the Haveli brings heritage-print drama to a sculptural one-shoulder line — boho-formal with architectural presence.
Fabulous Attire · Black, Lifted by Gold
Hera Black One-Shoulder Maxi
When “fabulous” means evening glamour: black with gold detailing on a one-shoulder line — the no-rules dress-up the code invites, finished with gold jewellery and unapologetic heels.
All pieces XS · S · M · L · XL · XXL · XXXL · Custom sizing available · Free US shipping over $250
Invitation on the fridge?
Take 15% off your first order
Join my email list for first looks at every new capsule collection, and 15% off the dress you wear to decode it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “California formal” mean on a wedding invitation?
California formal signals an elegant outdoor wedding — formal effort adapted for sunshine. For women: a formal summer dress at tea, knee, or floor length, often in flowing florals or prints, with natural hair and a light wrap for the evening. For men: a summer suit with shirt and formal shoes, most wearing ties. Sunglasses for everyone.
What is bohemian black-tie?
Bohemian black-tie is formal boho-chic: black-tie-level effort executed with bohemian signatures. Floor-length maxis with embroidery, tassels, rich prints, statement sleeves, and fringes are all welcome; oxblood, deep reds, browns, and black are the natural palette. For men, a velvet jacket or printed brocade bow tie adds the boho drama to a classic black suit.
How do I decode a made-up wedding dress code?
Split it in two: the formality word and the theme word. “Formal,” “chic,” “soiree,” or “casual” sets how much effort the outfit needs; the theme word (coastal, farmhouse, Gatsby, California) steers fabric, colour, and styling. When still unsure, look at the venue and time — and when torn between two options, always choose the dressier one. Asking the couple is never wrong either; they invented the code and love explaining it.
What should I wear to a Gatsby-themed wedding?
Channel the 1920s: shimmer, gold, Art Deco geometry, and straighter silhouettes. A glittering dress or an Art Deco print maxi, a flapper-inspired headband, matching heels, and sleek pinned hair complete the era. Men wear a formal double-breasted suit with a pocket square. The film adaptation of The Great Gatsby is the sanctioned mood board.
Can I ignore a quirky dress code?
Please don’t — the code is part of the celebration the couple designed, and honouring it is honouring them. You do not need a costume: one or two clear nods to the theme (the palette, the fabric, one styling detail) on an outfit at the right formality level reads as both respectful and effortlessly chic. The universal rules still apply regardless of theme: never white, never upstage, always slightly overdressed rather than under.
The Complete Wedding Guest Library
About the Writer
Sandhya Garg is a Project Runway Season 13 designer who won two challenges on the show and presented her collection at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. She studied womenswear at London College of Fashion and worked at Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Liberty London, and Alice Temperley. Her Los Angeles label creates limited-edition artisanal dresses, resort wear, and wedding guest looks — featured in Marie Claire, Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Vogue online — in sizes XS–3XL with custom sizing available.
Project Runway · Vogue · Marie Claire · Elle · XS–3XL
Whatever the couple invented, you’ll arrive decoded.
Sandhya Garg is a Los Angeles boutique creating limited-edition artisanal wedding guest dresses — original prints, hand embroidery, heritage textiles. No other guest will be wearing your dress.
Join my email list for 15% off your first order.
Or go straight to the dresses
