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Lauren Conrad’s Ultimate Wedding Rules: Dos, Don’ts, and Planning Wisdom

Lauren Conrad shares her essential dos, don’ts, and expert advice for planning and attending weddings, from fashion rules to stress-free organization.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach

Created on Oct 2, 2025

Lauren Conrad shares her essential dos, don’ts, and expert advice for planning and attending weddings, from fashion rules to stress-free organization.

With her celebrated style, keen eye for entertaining, and personal experience as a bride, Lauren Conrad is a trusted name in modern wedding preparation. Drawing from her own wedding, her entertaining book Celebrate, and her successful fashion career, Conrad offers insightful, pragmatic guidance for both brides and guests navigating the often-confusing social rules of weddings. Whether you’re deep into planning, choosing your attire, or simply wondering how to attend gracefully, her advice covers everything from dress codes to guest list drama—with plenty of stress-free organization tips throughout.

Lauren’s Approach to the Modern Wedding

Conrad’s style philosophy is grounded in the idea that weddings—like any special occasion—should reflect the personalities and wishes of the couple. Her own wedding was elegant but personal, and her rules are less about rigidity and more about balancing tradition, inclusion, and good taste.

Focus on personalization: Blend classic ideas with unique touches that resonate with you and your partner.
Prioritize comfort for everyone: From the bride to guests, decisions should allow people to feel their best.
Keep stress at bay: Organization and delegation make the process smoother and more enjoyable for all involved.

Choosing What to Wear: Conrad’s Fashion Rules

Fashion is often the first thing guests (and brides!) stress about. Lauren Conrad’s guidelines simplify it while honoring both tradition and modern sensibilities.

1. Never Wear White (Unless You’re the Bride)

Conrad is adamant: guests should never wear white to a wedding, regardless of how tempting a pretty dress may be. Even white prints and subtle accents are risky—unless they are clearly secondary to another color.

“To someone’s wedding? Never. Not even a little. … Every wedding I’ve been to in the last few years there’s been at least one person in white. It’s so crazy. That’s the one rule!” —Lauren Conrad

Reserve white for the bride: Wearing white as a guest can unintentionally draw attention away from the couple.
Choose alternative hues: Pastels, jewel tones, chic black, or patterned dresses are safe and stylish bets.

2. The Old Black-Dress Rule Is Over

Where past etiquette once frowned on black dresses for weddings, Conrad confirms it’s now completely acceptable to wear black as a guest, as long as the style feels festive and appropriate for the occasion.

Go for elegant silhouettes and paired accessories to keep the look celebratory, not somber.
Save all-black for evening or formal weddings.

3. Attire Should Fit the Occasion

Weddings have shifted beyond rigid dress codes. Conrad urges guests to consider the venue, formality, and tone when choosing their outfit. Her own collection features slip dresses, faux fur coats, and lace cocktail dresses designed for versatility across various wedding settings.

Garden party? Opt for breezy and bright.
Black-tie event? Select elegant materials—think silk, velvet, or lace.
Destination wedding? Pack for comfort, travel, and local customs.

4. Bridesmaid Dress Etiquette (And Politics)

Bridesmaids may feel stress about their outfits. Conrad advocates embracing the trend of mix-and-match dresses in complementary shades—offering flexibility for varying body types and tastes.

Stick to a color palette but let each bridesmaid choose a shape or fabric that flatters her.
Encourage tailoring for personal fit—small changes can make a world of difference.

Stress-Free Wedding Planning: Lauren’s Organizational Guide

1. Create a Timeline Checklist

Conrad recommends a detailed timeline to break planning into manageable monthly tasks—reducing last-minute panic and keeping stress in check.

Start your checklist early, including key milestones (venue booking, invitations, fittings).
Update regularly and share with involved parties, including any planners or family assistants.

2. Accept Help and Delegate Tasks

Conrad’s advice: let parents and trusted friends take over select responsibilities, like seating arrangements or decor, acknowledging that planning is a team effort.

Assign clear roles to family, bridesmaids, or a planner for aspects like table planning or vendor communication.
Allow input where people are passionate—such as food tasting or music selection.

3. Make Decisions Together

Lauren stresses that wedding planning should reflect both partners’ wishes, even if one is less involved in some details. Her husband, for example, took lead on music while she managed decor.

Hold regular planning check-ins. Prioritize areas where both partners feel strongly.
Compromise on shared decisions, but honor each other’s passions and expertise.

4. Try on Many Dresses

Lauren’s personal experience: try on more dresses than you think you need, and don’t be surprised if your final choice surprises you. Comfort and confidence should come first.

Explore a range of silhouettes, not just your “dream” style—what looks great in photos may not flatter you in real life.
Book fittings early to leave time for alterations and style changes.

5. Stay Open to Inspiration

Conrad encourages couples to gather ideas everywhere: parties attended, magazines, Pinterest, and social media. These inspirations help communicate your vision to vendors and family.

Keep a visual folder or mood board to document color schemes, flower styles, and decor ideas.
Reference photos when meeting with florists and bakers to prevent misunderstandings.

The Guest List Dilemma: Lauren’s Take

One of the toughest aspects, according to Conrad, is deciding who to invite and where to seat them. Her tip: lean toward inclusivity, especially regarding group invitations (such as entire work teams).

If inviting workplace friends, do so as a group rather than singling out individuals.
Accept that you cannot make everyone happy—focus on the couple’s closest relationships.
Delegate tricky tasks (like the seating chart) to parents or planners when possible.

Bridal Beauty: The Importance of Trials

Photography immortalizes your bridal style. Conrad recommends extensive hair and makeup trials to guarantee you’ll feel beautiful and comfortable all day.

Use photos and mood boards to communicate your look to stylists.
Don’t settle: switch vendors if your vision isn’t being realized.
Prioritize comfort—choose hairstyles and looks you feel confident in, not just those trending online.

Handling Bridal Party Challenges

Conflict in the bridal party is common. Conrad proposes a selfless approach for bridesmaids: agree that the day is about the bride, but find ways to support comfort through tailoring or style variation.

Think creatively for unhappy bridesmaids—custom alterations or more flexible dress codes.
Discuss expectations openly before finalizing selections.

Bringing It All Together: Making the Event Personal

Ultimately, Conrad believes the best weddings blend tradition and creativity. Incorporate both timeless etiquette and modern individualism, ensuring nobody feels out of place and each moment reflects the couple themselves.

Infuse the celebration with shared hobbies, stories, or décor that is meaningful to you both.
Let guests “see” who you are as a couple through food choices, entertainment, or unique rituals.

Wedding Attire Etiquette Table

Attire	Guests	Bridesmaids	Bride
White	No	No	Yes
Black	Yes	Yes (with color accents)	Optional for reception
Bold Colors/Prints	Yes	If within palette	Occasional (for after-party or second look)
Mix & Match Styles	N/A	Recommended	N/A

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is it ever okay to wear white to a wedding if it has a print or color accent?

A: Lauren Conrad insists it is safest to avoid white as a guest—even with prints or accents—unless it is extremely subtle and clearly not bridal.

Q: What should bridesmaids do if they dislike their assigned dress?

A: Bridesmaids can seek tailoring for better fit or discuss alternate options with the bride. Conrad strongly suggests mix-and-match styles in a shared color for flexibility.

Q: How do I politely decline a wedding invitation?

A: Respond promptly and graciously, citing prior commitments or travel challenges, and send a card or thoughtful note to celebrate the couple from afar.

Q: Can guests wear black to a daytime wedding?

A: Yes—black is now widely accepted, especially in chic or modern cuts. Pair with lighter accessories for a day event.

Q: How far in advance should bridal beauty trials be scheduled?

A: Book trials several months before the wedding date to allow for possible changes, second vendors, and to ensure availability.

Lauren Conrad’s Top 10 Wedding Rules Summary

Follow the white dress rule—guests, leave it to the bride.
Embrace black and bold colors appropriately.
Create a thorough timeline checklist.
Make planning decisions as a couple.
Try on plenty of dress styles early.
Seek inspiration from diverse sources.
Accept help—delegate seating and tricky tasks.
Mix and match bridesmaid styles for comfort.
Prioritize beauty trials for bridal confidence.
Add personal touches—let your day reflect you.

Lauren Conrad’s approach celebrates the evolving landscape of modern weddings, blending etiquette with real-world flexibility—and above all, making each celebration a joyful, stress-free reflection of the couple’s love and style.

References

Author

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

Read full bio of Sneha Tete