Getting married with sand under their toes may be the dream of many, but it can confuse guests as to what to wear. Unlike traditional dress codes like a cocktail, semi, or formal, the “beach” element means you can dress a little more comfortably, cooler, and more casual when dressing for the event. Of course, the time of year, the weather, and the location are all determining factors in choosing your look.
Wedding couples spend hours choosing a perfect beach location and deciding what to wear to their Dream Beach wedding. But guests are often confused about what to wear for beach weddings.
All About Beach Wedding Attire :
“Beach wedding attire is the same as any other wedding where you dress according to the formality of the event, but unlike a normal celebration, there are some small changes in the accessories and fabrics that make you look much more comfortable ".
Beach wedding attire is widely regarded as elegantly casual, and while this may be true for some weddings, others can be exclusive. However, in general, beach wedding outfits for men and women include bright colors, light fabrics, and semi-formal accessories. The most common beach wedding suits for men include pants or chinos, a button-down shirt, and a jacket or blazer for a formal ceremony. Midi and mini dresses, as well as formal jumpsuits or rompers, are the right choice for women.
First, do a quick location search to check the level of formality. “If the location on a roof or terrace is only facing the beach, then just plan your outfit as usual,” adds Papageorge. However, if the ceremony and/or reception is on the sand, you can dress confidently and maintain the seaside vibe. Fabric is a key part of your beach wedding outfit. Breathable materials like linen and cotton are great for being outdoors. Even a woolen suit jacket can work, especially if it doesn't have a lining or is mixed with lighter fabrics.
When it comes to accessories, the following applies the brighter, the better. A beach wedding is a great opportunity to wear a brightly patterned tie or trendy earrings. It is also perfectly acceptable to wear fancy sandals or slippers without socks.
Beach wedding outfit: perfect fabrics
For Women:
Lightweight fabrics that don't stick to the body are best. There is nothing worse than sweat stains on the front and back of a dress. Materials like linen, chiffon, organza, and even cotton blends or lace are lightweight but can feel luxurious. If the ceremony or reception is in the evening, bring a light scarf in case the fresh air enters from the shore.
For Men's :
Friends, you should consider wearing linen or cotton. Whether you wear pants and a button-down shirt or a suit depends on the dress code, which we'll discuss later in this article.
Beach Wedding Attire: Ideal Colors
For Women’s:
Bright and light colors are the gold standard when choosing a dress for a beach wedding. A good idea is to check that the bride has a color scheme that her guests should adhere to. In this case, consider the selected color palette and try to find shades that complement your skin tone.
To avoid difficult decisions, you can take inspiration from the environment around you. It's a great idea to emulate the wonderful tropical hues with your wedding attire. Colors like terracotta, aquamarine, tangerine, fuchsia, turquoise and sunflower are appropriate and unique shades. You can also go for bold stripes, polka dots, and floral prints. In general, wearing prints or patterns at summer/beach weddings is more than welcome.
For men:
beige or white pants paired with a light-colored linen jacket or shirt will look great and make your other half feel and look good. However, for semi-formal weddings (see below), wearing a cream or beige linen suit is also a fantastic outfit.
What to wear for a beach wedding:
For women
If the invitation suggests that you should wear formal beachwear, a long, elegant dress is perfect.
A dress, suit, or jumpsuit is suitable for a formal beach wedding. Go for lighter solid colors (avoid black, cream and white) and breathable fabrics. Long dresses and dungarees are acceptable for formal beachwear. To add elegance, use a fabric like metallic or lace.
Semi-formal beach outfits require short or long dresses, which is great because they don't hang out in the sand and they look great in a beachfront restaurant or hotel reception.
A dress, suit, formal romper is suitable for a semi-formal look. Feel free to add impressions and avoid anything that is too strong. When choosing a beach dress, make sure you wear it long or long so you don't look too casual. Stylish sandals, chunky heels, and wedge shoes are acceptable shoe options.
Wondering what to wear for a casual beach wedding? Our advice is a beautiful long dress. A maxi dress is loose, especially at the bottom of the dress, so you can easily sweep it across the sand and brush it to the floor for a seaside reception.
Go for a simple summer dress, an airy maxi dress, or a high-quality romper. Stylish sandals are okay, but avoid regular thongs in swimsuits.
For Men
If the beach dress code is formal, consider wearing a traditional costume and tie, especially if the reception is near the beach in a restaurant or on a yacht.
You will likely be invited to an evening wedding ceremony followed by a dance, dinner, and cocktail party. For this reason, a light-colored button-down shirt or short sleeves for the gentlemen and loose, long dresses that can be swept across the sand to attend the seaside reception are great options. Plus, most men think they should wear a tie to attend a formal beach wedding.
If semi-formal attire is required for a beach wedding, wear pants and a button-down shirt. You can also wear a suit jacket or waistcoat, but you can do it without a tie! This is not required as the venue is not traditional and the hot/tropical climate can make you feel restricted and overheated.
While no jacket is required, a breathable sports coat or unique blazer is a fun addition. Feel free to add impressions and avoid anything that is too strong. Shoes can be a bit more casual, but they should always be closed, like moccasins or boat shoes. Shorts and sandals are not allowed.
Long pants and a light button-down shirt with short or three-quarter sleeves are appropriate casual beach wedding attire for male guests.
For men, a linen or khaki shirt and knee-length shorts (by no means shorter) are also appropriate. And since casual beach weddings are mostly held in daylight, you can also wear your favorite sandals.
Shoes for Beach Wedding:
For Women’s:
If you like it more stylishly, sandals and flip-flops are great options that you can easily put on and take off. If you think there is no point in worrying about choosing the right shoes for walking in the sand, you better think about it!
Forget those towering shoes when deciding what to wear for a beach wedding! Your heels might look trendy, but they might sink into the sand. Plus, beach weddings should be fun!
For men:
Shiny boat shoes or moccasin, as well as sandals and flip flops, are suitable for a casual beach wedding. However, the first two options are also ideal for semi-formal beach weddings.
Best accessories For Beach Wedding:
Complete the look with matching accessories. Wear a fancy clutch during the day. Make sure to wear stylish sunglasses to block the annoying rays of the sun. A beach hair accessory like a bobby pin or even brightly colored flowers can add a whimsical touch to your clothes.
Beach wedding looks don't require feature-rich outfits. But no one can stop you from having fun with a pair of jewelry earrings or bracelets. The secret is not to overdo it. A piece of jewelry and a small bag or pouch to hang is perfect.
Makeup guide For Beach Wedding:
It goes without saying that thick makeup is very difficult to maintain in the hot summer sun and rising temperatures. Therefore, a beach wedding is probably not the best time to wear smoky eyes and dark lipstick, as the heat will soon stain or run off the foundation.
Carrying water repellent mascara and makeup setting spray in your purse will help you maintain and refresh your natural makeup which can still flatter you without appearing too loud or overshadowing the bridal look.
Perfect Hairstyle for Beach Wedding:
We all want our hair and makeup to be perfect for every occasion. When it comes to hair, one of the worst things that can happen is for frizzy, loose hair to stick to your lipstick and get into your face, ruining your look with the slightest gust of wind. If you don't like an up do that will definitely hold your long hair in place, you can definitely invest in some pretty bobby pins or clips. So put that sassy hair back on! For shorter hair, consider a chic, beach-friendly style!
Beach weddings call for beach curls. Let go of your hair and go for wavy locks with a flower crown. Or try a fishtail braid that will keep your hair in place all the time.
Perfect jewelry for beach weddings
To accentuate your beach dress, choose eye-catching jewelry with the same pattern. Dangling earrings are stylish (we love the filigree drops).
Don't bring your entire jewelry collection, just choose two gorgeous sets that you can mix and match and put on or take off overnight as you need them.
As a reminder, saltwater and sand can damage your jewelry, so choose materials that don't corrode easily. Avoid gold, rhodium, and vermeil plated items.
Beach Wedding outfits for Guests
Casual attire may be appropriate for guests attending a beach wedding. However, this is still a wedding, so guests should dress better than if they were shopping on the weekends.
For a summer beach wedding, you'll definitely want to wear something that moves and is Comfortable well. Therefore, lightweight cotton, linen, and silk blends are good choices for both men and women.
Women should look for a light summer dress for the day or an elegant long dress with a beach look for an evening wedding. The more elegant you want to be, the more elegant the fabric should be, with plain cotton being the most casual and satin and shiny materials the most elegant.
For a wedding day, men should wear a light shade of khaki or brown for their suit and a pastel pink or yellow shirt.
For an evening adventure, pair an olive or chocolate brown jacket with white linen or cotton pants and a white linen open-neck shirt.
For a more casual look, men can wear dress pants or a polo shirt.
Beach weddings are the perfect venue for couples looking for a stunning outdoor setting for their summer or tropical wedding. When you envision your flawless beach wedding, there are certainly many factors to consider when planning your outdoor ceremony on the sand.
Beach weddings are appealing for several reasons, and being outside in a romantic setting by the sea while the wind and waves praise your union is one of them. They are a far cry from the typical traditional weddings that often take place in a church or other luxurious interior. That's not to say that there aren't other types of outdoor weddings that aren't appealing, as the garden wedding.