What children wear to a wedding in South Africa

By the Giovelle team · 26 September 2026

When an invitation arrives with the children's names on it, the delight lasts about a day. Then comes the question most of us leave until the week before: what on earth are they going to wear?

Here is how we think about kids' wedding outfits in South Africa, from babies to page boys.

Read the invitation first

The dress code for children follows the adults, one step more relaxed. Black tie for the parents means smart tailored pieces for the children, not miniature tuxedos. Cocktail means a party dress, or a shirt and trousers. "Garden" or "farm" means light fabrics, flat shoes and something they can run in, because they will run. If in doubt, ask the couple; they would rather answer than have a guest guess wrong.

As for colour, keep guests' children out of white and ivory unless the couple has asked for it, because it reads as bridal party. And avoid anything that will clash badly with the wedding palette in photographs.

The bridal party: flower girls, page boys and junior bridesmaids

The couple usually chooses or approves these outfits. Flower girls wear ivory, white or a tone from the bridesmaids' palette (we have a separate guide on flower girl dresses). Page boys traditionally wear a shirt and shorts, or a shirt with trousers, sometimes with a waistcoat or braces to tie in with the groomsmen. Junior bridesmaids, usually between eight and thirteen, wear a simpler version of the bridesmaid dress in the same colour.

For page boys in South Africa, the practical version is a linen or cotton shirt in white, ivory or stone, with shorts that match the groomsmen's ties or pocket squares. Long trousers for a winter wedding or an evening ceremony, and shoes that have been worn in.

Guests' children

For girls, a dress in cotton, linen, broderie anglaise or lined organza, knee length or just below, with a cardigan for the evening. For boys, a collared shirt with tailored shorts or trousers. Two piece sets in natural fabrics are the easiest answer: they look coordinated without any planning, and the pieces get worn again separately.

Babies wear what they're comfortable in, dressed up a little: a cotton romper or a simple dress, a soft cardigan and no shoes. Nobody is checking a baby's feet.

The heat problem

Wedding season in South Africa runs from October to March, the hottest time of the year. A child in a polyester party dress or a full suit at a two o'clock outdoor ceremony in Gauteng or the Cape will be miserable by three. Choose cotton, linen or cotton lined fabrics, keep sleeves short or loose, and put the cardigan in the bag for later. On the Highveld you'll want it when an afternoon storm rolls in. Sunscreen and a hat for the photographs, and water before the ceremony.

Matching siblings, or not

In our experience most families now coordinate rather than match: the same colour family or the same fabric across different pieces, such as a smocked dress on the sister and a shirt in the same shade on the brother. Fully matching outfits still work for very young children and family photographs. Our sets are designed so a girls' and a boys' piece from the same collection sit naturally together.

Sizing and when to buy

Buy four to eight weeks out. Any earlier and they may outgrow it; any later and there's no time for an exchange. Use measurements, not just ages, and ask us on WhatsApp about the fit of a specific piece. If a child is between sizes, go up. A sash, an elasticated waist or a quick hem is easier than a dress that won't zip.

The morning of the wedding

Dress children last, after breakfast. If there's a long drive, put the outfit on at the venue; an hour in a car seat on the N1 is not kind to linen. Pack a spare top for the smallest ones, wipes, and something comfortable for the reception. Most children are out of their formal clothes by the time the dancing starts, and no couple minds.

What we make for weddings

Our occasion wear collection covers all of this: flower girl dresses and page boy outfits, dresses and sets for guests' children, and baby pieces, in cotton, linen and lined fabrics that cope with the heat. The Savanna Constellation Set (a printed cotton shirt and olive shorts) is one of our most loved boys' wedding outfits. For girls, the equivalents are The Ashcombe Pinafore Ensemble and the Willow Pintuck Eyelet Girls' Dress.

Giovelle is a fully online store. We deliver nationwide, usually within one to three working days to the major cities.

Frequently asked questions

Can children wear white to a wedding?

Only if they're in the bridal party or the couple has asked for it. For guests, choose a colour.

What do boys wear to a wedding in South Africa?

A collared shirt with tailored shorts or trousers in natural fabrics, and a waistcoat or braces if the wedding is formal. A full suit only if the couple specifically wants one.

Do babies need a wedding outfit?

Not a formal one. A cotton romper or a simple dress in a soft colour, with a cardigan for the evening, is all they need.

How much should I spend on a child's wedding outfit?

Enough that it's comfortable and will be worn again. In our experience, natural fabric pieces from a designer or boutique generally cost between R900 and R2 500 in South Africa. They get worn to several occasions, which usually works out better than an outfit that is only worn once.