As the summer approaches, it also heralds the start of wedding season. Along with that sometimes comes the dilemma of what to wear.
Being asked to be part of a couple's wedding is an honour. However, it also comes with an unspoken set of rules, such as forking out gifts, and following the stated dress code. By definition, weddings are formal events, so if guidelines on what to wear are offered, they should be adhered to.
The role of the guests is to act as background against which the couple can shine, so take your cues from the bride even before the invitation arrives. If she is a jeans and T-shirt kind of woman, or goes all out in bodycon and heels, her level of dress will set the standard of sartorial expectations at the wedding.
The general rule is to dial up the glamour an extra notch, so if the bride is a fashion goddess, you will be expected to follow suit. While this may not mean a ball gown and diamond tiara, if you think your look is not dressy enough, it probably isn't.
With increasing numbers of couples choosing to personalise their weddings, from getting hitched on the beach, to writing their own vows, here are some general rules to help you nail the look, whatever the dress code.
White-tie
If you receive a wedding invitation stating white-tie as the dress code, then chances are you hang with high rollers, and will already be familiar with this level of formality. For the rest of us, white-tie is as upscale as it gets and must be followed, or you risk seriously offending your hosts.
Although it may sound daunting, in reality, the strict parameters remove all the guesswork. A man should don full evening dress such as a white dress shirt, white waistcoat, bow tie, and formal shoes, while women should wear a floor-length evening gown that covers the ankles. Add a clutch and the best jewellery you own.
If buying a gown is out of reach financially, then perhaps think about renting one instead. A number of companies such as Designer24.com offer looks for a fraction of the price. A white-tie dress code is non-negotiable, so if you cannot muster it, then don't accept.
For an idea of what is expected, look to Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively at the 2022 Met Gala, who absolutely nailed it.
Black-tie
Usually reserved for evening weddings, this is still dressy, but less restrictive than white-tie.
For women, this can mean a floor-length gown, but there is also room to don a cocktail dress, or even an elegant trouser suit. Men should wear a tuxedo jacket with a cumberband (yes, this is still a thing) or black waistcoat, and shoes should ideally be patent black. They should also wear a bow-tie.
Black-tie optional
Rather than a green flag to rock up in board shorts, this is instead the polite way of telling guests to relax a fraction. Men can swap out the tuxedo for a single-breasted dark suit, with white shirt and formal shoes. The bow tie can also be put away, and a subdued tie worn instead. For women, this means a cocktail dress and/or a gown, but feel free to have fun with your heels.
Cocktail
Here's when things really start to get fun, as you can don any cocktail dress that hits between knee to floor. If the wedding is in the evening, shorter is acceptable, but stick to dressy fabrics. Forget anything cotton, as it is not smart enough. Aim to look polished, so avoid patterns or crazy colours. Men, however, are still required to don a smart suit and tie, even if the wedding is outside.
Semi-formal or smart casual
The key to nailing this slightly ambiguous ruling is to consider where and when the wedding is taking place. If it is a daytime affair, lean to lighter colours, in perhaps a below-the-knee dress or an understated trouser suit. If the event is in the evening, take it up a notch with darker colours.
Now is the time to pull out a shorter dress if that is your thing. Teaming it with dressy flats, or wedges is perfectly acceptable. Men, too, can relax, in smart trousers and shirt. As is also the case for women, think lighter for day, and darker for night. If in doubt, black trousers and a white shirt for an evening event will also be appreciated.
Casual or beach wedding
This typically applies to a wedding ceremony held on a beach, there is more room to have fun.
For the beach, think flowy, summery dress with flats, and a hat to protect from the sun, while men can opt for smart chinos and an open-neck shirt. Traditionally, trainers and sportswear have been a no-no at weddings, but now even those rules are changing.
Depending on the couple tying the knot, it is feasible to add trainers to a summer dress or to dark trousers. Play this one by ear, though, as many people hold wedding dress codes to be sacrosanct, and will not look kindly on nonconformists.
Finally, it is worth remembering that if there is no dress code, then it's best to double check on what is expected, as people may have a very different idea of what "smart" means.
If there is no satisfactory answer, aim for a smarter version of yourself. So whether the dress is fitted, flared or even prairie, it is better to look stylishly overdressed, than be the scruffy one in the corner. No one wants to be viewed as not having made an effort.
So, even if the shoes are pinching, the dress won't let you sit down, or the suit is too hot, smile graciously and wish the happy couple a long, joyous and stylish life together.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Power: 272hp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 331Nm from 5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.7L/100km
On sale: now
Price: Dh149,000
The five pillars of Islam
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
The bio
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France
Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines
Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.
Favourite Author: My father for sure
Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
