Dress Code

What should I wear?

I understand how difficult it can be to decide what to wear to an event in a different country and cultural setting. To be honest, even for Westerners, wedding dress codes can be confusing! So let me help you feel confident in your outfit choice. :)

First of all: if you know that you will feel most comfortable and confident in traditional Moroccan clothing, I would be honoured if you wore your caftan or takchita. These garments are more formal than the atmosphere of our wedding, but I do not want anyone to feel pressured to spend the day in clothes that feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable.

However, if you would like the full "German wedding guest experience," here is a quick guide to the customs and expectations surrounding wedding attire.

The most important rule: no white

At Western weddings, white is traditionally reserved for the bride. Please avoid white and colours that are very close to white, such as ivory, cream, off-white, beige, light pastel colours or patterns with large areas of white fabric.

What level of formality should I aim for?

The dress code that best describes what we are envisioning at our wedding is something between what is referred to as "semi-formal" and "cocktail" . Now this is of course not very telling on its own, but many magazines and other creators have produced plenty of content on western wedding dress codes. In preparation of writing this, I searched dozens of websites and watched countless explanation videos. I will link my favourite ones below. What I took away from all of that content is that to dress for this dress code, you can:

For Men: Wear a suit (any color works) with a dress shirt—a tie is optional. Alternatively, a blazer with tailored trousers and a dress shirt. Dress shoes complete the look. The key is that it should feel polished and intentional—think of an outfit for an important formal dinner or celebration.

For Women: Wear an elegant dress of any length, a skirt with a refined blouse, or a sophisticated pantsuit. Vibrant colors are absolutely encouraged—this is where you can express your style and personality. Dressy shoes finish the outfit.

The main thing to avoid: Anything too casual. No jeans, chinos, khakis, or casual everyday wear. Also, please avoid anything too close to white, as that's reserved for the bride. Think refined fabrics and a polished presentation—the kind of outfit you'd wear somewhere special.

If at any point, you are still unsure whether something fits the vibe, you're welcome to ask us directly. We're here to help!

As the bride is a climate scientist, we also have to make a small sustainability request: if you already own something that fits the dress code and weather, we would love for you to wear that rather than buying something new specifically for our wedding.

A note on the weather

German buildings rarely have air conditioning, so in case Nürnberg experiences a warmer-than-usual early autumn (which is likely during this super El Nino year), lighter and more breathable fabrics may be a good choice.

At the same time, autumn evenings in Germany can become surprisingly chilly, so bringing a jacket, shawl, or another layer is often a good idea.