What To Wear To A Beach Summer Wedding
While a beach wedding generally dictates more casual attire, you should still check your invitation to make sure the couple hasn’t made any special requests. If you’re good to go, the next thing to consider is practicality. Walsh advises sticking to styles that are longer and a little more fitted to avoid a Marilyn Monroe moment in the ocean breeze. Handspiker suggests going with “an open-collar shirt as opposed to a shirt and tie” and being a little more adventurous with colors and patterns to nail the relaxed vibe.
Classic Attire And Colors
If you are ever in doubt about what colors are okay to wear to weddings, choose conservative, classic attire. A simple dress for women and a dark suit and tie for men are almost always fashionable. Once you have carefully and thoughtfully selected your clothing for the wedding, relax. The bride and groom will be happy that you came to share in their special day.
Dont Dress Too Casually
Even if the wedding you are attending is on the more casual side, its incredibly important you dont dress too casually. This is a common mistake! Even if the dress code states casual, remember that its still a wedding a very important day in a couples life. Say, for example, the wedding is a backyard outdoor wedding with a casual dress code. As tempting as it may be to wear your everyday summer attire, respect the couples celebration and avoid that. Instead, consider wearing something easy like a lightweight summer dress and some cute metallic flats.
Natalie added these gorgeous heels to dress up her look so it isnt too casual.
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S Summer Wedding: My Mom Actually Doesnt Have As Many Dresses As She Has Separates So We Went With A Floral Skirt The Cardigan Is Quite Lightweight And More For Arm Coverage
Skirt: Carol Anderson ~~Cardigan: Coldwater Creek ~~Tank under: Sara Stephen ~~Shoes: Michael Finelli ~~Scarf: Mom made it from leftover material from the skirt when she shortened it ~~Earrings: ~~Bracelet: ~~Ring:
Thanks for the love and support! Do you wear a dress to an outdoor wedding?
Photography by Kari Strand Photography
What To Wear To An Outdoor Wedding
- Shelley writes and edits articles for The Knot Worldwide, with a speciality in fashion, beauty, jewelry and accessories
- Shelley writes and edits articles for The Knot magazine, as well as styles the magazines fashion and cover shoots
- Prior to The Knot Worldwide, Shelley was a freelance Digital Editor at Conde Nasts Lucky Magazine and freelanced for FLAUNT Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, Backstage.com and Paste.com
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Outdoor weddings offer naturally gorgeous scenery, stunning photos ops and work for any wedding style. What’s not to love? And, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have a feeling outdoor weddings will be more popular than ever in the coming months. If you’re attending an outdoor wedding, the dress code might have you stumped. If you find yourself asking these questions or generally wondering what to wear to an outdoor wedding, we’ve got you covered. Read on for outdoor wedding guest attire etiquetteplus chic wedding outfits you can add to your cart.
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Wear Flats And Sandals
Shoes such as high heels, boots, and anything heavy or too fancy will not serve you well on a grass lawn.
Keep your footwear simple and light. If you absolutely need to add height to your look, consider wearing wedges, preferably white or beige wedges, such as these ones on Amazon. Avoid chunky, ankle-breaking shoes if possible.
Ballet flats such as these ones with lace cut-outs or these classic neutral ballet flats are also a pretty and appropriate option. Shoes that are neutral colors or colors that match your skin tone are a great backyard summer look.
Bottom line: Stick to flats and sandals. Your mantra in generally for backyard attire and footwear should be keep it light.
Other Dress Codes Explained
Outside of traditional dress codes, some modern weddings include lesser-known dress codes.
- It’s suitable to wear cocktail attire to weddings whose dress codes are semiformal or dressy casual. Some people, however, maintain that these dress codes are different from cocktail attire, in that they’re slightly less formal.
- The term “black tie optional” indicates guests should wear formal, fancy attire. This typically includes full-length gowns. A tailored, dark-colored suit is acceptable in place of a tuxedo.
- For some modern weddings, invitations recommend that guests dress to a certain theme or color, with no mention of a dress code.
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Where Is The Outdoor Wedding
Depending on the location of the wedding, you may need to alter what you are wearing. For example, if you know that the wedding will be at a farm, it is smart to wear shoes that you know can get dirty and will allow you to walk on uneven terrain.
If the wedding is on a beach, walking in heels may be a challenge and you may need to take an extra pair of flat sandals.
Formal Evening Summer Weddings: Tuxedo
Black tie is really the only option for formal evening weddings that take place after 6pm. Heres a brief overview of what goes into a tuxedo:
- Black or midnight blue dinner jacket with matching trousers
- White French cuff shirt
- Black cummerbund
- White braces
Although its perfectly permissible in other seasons, summer is a great opportunity to wear a white dinner jacket with your black trousers.
While it feels quite in keeping with James Bond, the style when paired with a red cummerbund is known as Red Sea Rig. It was popular among British diplomats in the Middle East and they would often wear it without the jacket because of the heat.
If youre concerned that black tie is too stuffy or formal for guests, you can opt for things like black tie optional and creative black tie. These dress codes marry formal and informal in a fun way, which will take the pressure of your guests.
We suggest getting your tuxedo made to order to get all the details right and nail the fit). We suggest the best retailers for the occasion in a section below.
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What Not To Wear: Shorts Or Denim
Yes, we know you love your favorite pair of jeans and that hipster denim button-up, but weddings are not the time to show off your favorite casual pieces. As a rule of thumb, even the most casual ceremonies shouldnt include jeans, folks, which is why denim stays high on our list of what not to wear to a wedding
Instead, go for linens and flowy dresses!
- Guys: Linens are an appropriate replacement for denim shorts and theyre even more breathable to last through your hottest weddings this summer.
- Ladies: There are endless options of flowy dresses out there that are appropriate and stylish to wear to a wedding check out the looks below!
Father Of The Bride Or Groom
As you likely have a financial stake in the event, it comes with certain prerogatives. Unlike the groomsmen and guests, youll have a greater level of freedom in what you wear.
You may follow the color scheme if you desire, but if its all right with the wedding couple, you may opt for something different. Rather than dress for another day at the office , dress for the occasion!
After all, its a party so its a wonderful opportunity to throw on a brightly-colored suit than usual as well as a bow tie. If you have a double-breasted suit in the wardrobe that youve been itching to wear, nows the time.
In short, seize the opportunity to dress in a fun way thatll make your child proud.
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What Not To Wear To Summer Weddings
Many guests wonder what not to wear to a summer wedding, and its more than just a matter of being concerned over a fashion faux pas. Heres a quick list of whats typically considered off-limits for wedding guest attire:
- Anything white, cream or ivory
- Attire the same color as the bridal party
- Anything that’s considered less casual than the dress code recommends
- Revealing attire
Why Follow The Wedding Dress Code
It is a sign of respect for the couple and the event to get dressed up for a wedding, and your attire should always be respectful, conservative, and appropriate. But keep in mind, the rules of etiquette were designed to help one feel more at ease and comfortable in all social situations. So simply remember your cheerful presence at the wedding is what counts here, and you’re likely to have a good time no matter what you decide to wear.
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Vintage Summer Wedding Dresses For Guests
Vintage weddings are all about celebrating classical style and fashion. If youre invited to a vintage wedding, get inspired by traditional silhouettes and styles from the past. Inject old-world charm into your outfit by choosing feminine and beautiful dresses that speak of decades past. When looking at fabrics, you cant go past lace for a vintage wedding. The delicate material has a lovely vintage feel that is perfect for this occasion. Opt for classic 1940s styles featuring a midi-length, where the hem finishes between the knee and the ankle. Not only does this length have a chic, vintage feel, but its totally back in style, so you should have no problem shopping for it.
Finish your look with a touch of vintage Hollywood glamour. Wide-barrel curls and a feline flick of black liner on eyes will make this look a knock-out. Just remember to keep accessories simple and classic. Kitten heels and a hard-shell clutch will do the job. If you want to go the extra mile, add a pair of gloves to complete your look.
What Is The Weather Outside
Depending on the day of the wedding, the weather may or may not work in the bride and grooms favor. If it is a beautiful, warm, sunny day, opt for a lighter free-flowing dress. If it is raining or cold out, you may need to bring extra accessories such as an umbrella or raincoat.
Some brides will move their wedding indoors if the conditions are not up to par for the outdoor ceremony, but others do not have the option for an inside venue if they book a location that does not offer one. Plan accordingly based on the weather forecast the day of the wedding.
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The Right Wedding Outfits Dont Have To Break Your Summer Budget
Dont fret about breaking your bank before summer has even come to a close. We promise you dont have to overspend to find a chic dress or stylish outfit to dance the night away at your upcoming weddings. You just have to know what to look for and where you can get it!
Find your local Turn Style and shop for high-quality consigned items from all of the brands you love!
Choose The Right Shoes
You may be tempted to go with a stiletto to add height or draw attention to your legs, but they will not work well at an outdoor wedding. From sinking into the grass or tripping on cobblestones, you will wish you had worn a more sensible shoe. A wedge heel will be far more comfortable, or you can go for the very trendy ballerina flat.
If the wedding isn’t too formal or is on a sandy beach, an espadrille style will work well. It has a wide wedge heel and open toes to help keep you cool. Always double-check how formal the wedding is so that the style you select fits with the etiquette.
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Informal Evening Summer Wedding: Darker Suit
Evening weddings are always a touch more formal, even in the summertime. With that said, we advise you to at least wear a suit and tie. The sun will have set anyway, making things easier for you in terms of keeping somewhat cool.
Some suit color options are:
- Deep tan
- Cadet blue
- Medium grey
Summer evenings dont necessarily require black shoes despite their incrementally increased formality, but you can wear them if you choose. We happen to think that British tan and light brown shoes are perfect options that carry a bit of formality but are a bit more laid back, just like the season.
As it may likely still be quite warm, especially when the festivities properly kick-off, we suggest that you still bear our fabric suggestions above for the daytime in mind. However, you will have greater freedom in the evening.
If you wish to be laidback but want to add a slight streak of formality and elegance to the even, consider suggesting cocktail attire on the invitations. This dress code offers the groomsmen and guests opportunities to add pops of color with fun bow ties without adding too much pressure to the attires demands.
Take The Venue Into Account
As we mentioned earlier, the type of venue can alter dress code expectations slightly. For example, it’s safe to assume that the dress code at an outdoor summer wedding is going to differ slightly from an indoor eventboth in terms of style and functionality. But don’t worryso long as you’re not underdressed or uncomfortable, you should be fine.
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What To Wear To A Summer Wedding: Social Distance Style
When picking what to wear to a socially distant summer wedding, a womens mask is the ultimate accessory. Socially-distant weddings allow you the unique opportunity to coordinate your mask with your outfit. Overall, the same style rules apply for a socially-distant wedding. Always dress to impress!
Choose a color combination that complements your look. Go tonal with shades from the same color family to add dimension to your wedding ensemble. This summer, bold colors like vivid oranges and reds and serene blues and greens will reign supreme.
Wear a printed mask in a classic summer pattern like gingham or floral to pair with a solid-color cocktail dress. Play with proportion. Mixing large and small floral prints is always a fashion do. The trick to playing one pattern off of another is to make sure both prints have at least one color in common.
Add some fancy elements to your ensemble by rocking a mask necklace. Feminine pearls and modern chain-link are popular picks. With brighter summer days ahead, gatherings and celebrations will usher in new rules.
