This is the ultimate guide to beach wedding attire for guests! After reading this, you’ll know exactly what to wear to a beach wedding whether it’s casual, semi-formal, or formal. Not only are we decoding the dress code, we’re also sharing the best colors, fabrics, and shoes to complete your beach wedding outfit! After you read these tips, make sure you check out this gallery of gorgeous beach wedding dresses for guests to get ideas of what you can wear, and find retailers that sell affordable beach wedding outfits.
Have you just opened up an invitation to learn that you’ve been invited to a beach ceremony? While this may be exciting, it may also leave you scratching your head wondering what to wear to a beach wedding? There are a few ground rules you should follow in order to look great, remain comfortable, yet formal enough for this non-traditional wedding.
Beach Wedding Attire Tips: Best Fabrics
Women
Light fabrics that do not cling to the body are best. Materials like linen, chiffon, organza, and even cotton blends or lace are light but can still look luxurious. There is nothing worse than sweat marks on the back and front of a gown.
Men
Guys, you should consider wearing linen pants and a linen button-down shirt. If you want to wear a suit, wear something lightweight like cotton or a linen suit that is loose fitting and comfortable while still remaining semi-formal.
Beach Wedding Attire Tips: Ideal Colors
Women
Black attire looks completely chic, but it conducts heat so if you are attending a ceremony in a tropical environment; you may find yourself completely cooked!
- Why not embrace the sights and sounds of the surf and turf around you? Mimic those delicious, tropical tones with your attire. Colors like aquamarine blue, turquoise, sand, terra cotta, fuchsia, lime green, tangerine, and even sunflower are all unique but appropriate tones.
- You may also wish to wear a pattern or print in these bright hues. Polka dots, stripes, and bold floral prints are all great options.
- If the ceremony or reception is taking place during the evening bring a lightweight shawl in case some cool air moves in from the coast.
Men
- A bright colored linen shirt or jacket paired with white or beige pants will look great and keep you looking and feeling cool.
- A tan or cream-colored linen suit is also appropriate beach wedding attire for male guests.
Beach Wedding Dress Code 101
You can gauge the expected level of formality by looking at the invitation to the beach wedding. Attire tips are usually included somewhere on the invite (i.e. formal, semi-formal, casual).
Women
- If the invitation indicates that you should wear Beach formal attire, then a long, elegant gown is perfectly appropriate.
- Semi-formal beach attire calls for short or tea length dresses, which are great because they won’t drag in the sand, plus they transition beautifully to a reception venue held at a restaurant or oceanfront hotel.
- Are you wondering what to wear to a casual beach wedding? Our advice is a nice Maxi dress. A maxi dress is loose fitting, especially around the bottom of the dress so you can easily sweep it across the sand and brush it clean on land for a seaside reception.
Men
- If the dress code is beach formal, you should wear a traditional suit and tie, especially if the reception is being held near the beach in a restaurant, resort ballroom, or on a yacht.
- If semi-formal beach wedding attire is required, then you should wear slacks and a button-down shirt. You can also wear a suit jacket or vest, but you can forego the tie! It is not needed since the venue is non-traditional and can make you feel restricted and overheated in warm/tropical weather.
- Long pants and a light color button-down shirt with short or three-quarter sleeves is appropriate casual beach wedding attire for male guests.
Shoes
Wear shoes that you can easily slip on and off. Flip flops or sandals are a great option as long as they’re on the nicer/dressier side.
Beach Wedding Attire Do’s & Dont’s
- Please guys, no shorts ever! It’s not appropriate unless it explicitly says so on the invitation.
- Ladies & Gents – it should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway just in case it slips your mind…if you’re wearing open-toe shoes, please get a pedi.
- Gals, make sure that you don’t wear a dress that is too short & loose/flared or you might end up inadvertently flashing everyone with just the slightest wind gust.
Don’t forget to check out this collection of women’s dresses that are great for a beach wedding for ideas.
Beach Wedding Attire for Female Guests
Below is a collection of beautiful beach wedding dresses for guests. We love all of these dresses because they are the ideal length, colors, and fabrics to keep you looking and feeling great as a beach wedding guest. Click the arrow on the right to see more images. When you find something you like, click on it for more details.
Beach Wedding Attire for Male Guests
Check out these beach wedding outfits for men. There’s a lot of variety here, so make sure you click the arrow on the right to see more photos. If you see an outfit you like, click on the image for more details.
I hope these tips on what to wear to a beach wedding were helpful. Just consider the sights, sounds, and temperatures that will surround you on the beach (or next to it) in order to select an outfit that will not only make you look great but feel great too.
Do you have more tips or questions about guest beach wedding attire? I’d love to hear from you in the comment box below.
Don’t forget to check out my post with 5 tips for men’s beach wedding attire.
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Cynthia is the founder and editor of Destination Wedding Details.She has over 15 years experience in the Marketing and Event industry and launched Destination Wedding Details in 2010, shortly after planning her own destination wedding. Cynthia uses her experience and genuine passion, to inspire brides who are planning their dream wedding away from home.
I love the recommendations! I was surprised to learn that my fiancé’s father wants to wear shorts. I strongly disagree; after all, he IS the father of the BRIDE! let’s put on some nice slacks or khaki pants for the occasion.
What if I don’t want to wear a dress? I’m not a dress kind of girl. What else can I wear?
Actually, nevermind. I just saw some really cute wide leg jumpsuits and maxi overlay rompers (which is the closest I’m getting to a dress). Beach wedding attire decided!
Hi Che,
I see that you figured this out on your own but that’s exactly what I was going to suggest– a jumpsuit. There are so many cute ones out there in different styles and lengths. And I also some really cute rompers with a Maxi skirt (like this one: https://www.lulus.com/products/gone-with-the-whirlwind-mustard-yellow-romper/457782.html). There are tons of them out there. Have fun at the wedding! 🙂
Can I have information about the dress on the homepage. It’s green paisley with a wide waist ribbon
Hi Diane,
That is a picture of a guest at a wedding, so, unfortunately, we don’t have any information on the dress. You can find some really nice dresses that are similar in style here.
These are some great tips, and I appreciate your advice to wear light fabrics that don’t cling to the body to a beach wedding. My sister is going to be getting married, and most of the event is going to take place on a beach. I want to make sure I’m comfortable while looking nice, so I’ll definitely look for a lighter fabric and color to wear. Thanks for the great post!
For a wedding in octuber in cancun; around the beach at 7:00 pm; dress code said formal (long dress for women).
I found a very cute strapless chiffon, airy, fresh, peach color, but it has some sparkling stones (not as shine) making a V from the strapless Neckline to the belly button. Is it appropriate to use stone kind of shiny…???
I am invited to an August wedding in Monterrey, Mexico and don’t know what to pack. Please help! I’m a “youthful” 66 years old, wear size petite 10, and will be in Monterrey August 11 through 15. They tell me it gets very hot and most of the celebrating will be at night.
It does get hot that time of year! Pack dresses in lightweight fabrics like linen, cotton and chiffon. I don’t think you can ever go wrong with a nice maxi dress for the wedding itself.