What to Wear to a Beach Wedding

Invitation Attire Guidelines

Although proper etiquette states that invitations should not mention a dress code, it is often becoming necessary for the modern couple. With wedding themes and styles ranging from costume to elegant to country, it can be hard for guests to discern proper attire without a little help. For beach weddings, looks can range from extremely casual to black tie.

Though some couples rely on word-of-mouth or the style of the wedding invitation to indicate the formality, adding a short line at the bottom of the invitation can help clue guests into what is appropriate beach wedding apparel for your wedding.

Black Tie or Black Tie Optional

The line black tie optional suggests a formal beach wedding, usually in the evening. Women should wear a long formal dress. Dark grays, browns, navies, purples, burgundies or greens are appropriate color choices. Men should wear a dark suit and tie. A black tie wedding indicates tuxedos for men and long black formal dresses for women.

Beach Formal

Though still a formal dress code, this lets in a little wiggle room for guests when it comes to color and style. Vibrant colors for both men and women will look wonderful at a beach wedding. Bright blues, reds, purples or corals are appropriate in formal shirts, ties and dresses.

Dressy Casual

A dressy casual request often indicates a more informal look. Tea-length sundresses are perfect for women, while men can wear a linen suit or dress shirt and slacks and still look appropriate.

Vacation Attire

Vacation attire suggests a very informal dress code. This can mean a fun summer print shirt for men with khaki pants or a patterned short sundress for women. Although the dress code may be casual, guests should still avoid wearing jeans or shorts. This type of dress may also be indicated by the terms resort wear or casual attire.

Children’s Attire

Invited children at weddings should dress in attire that falls along the same lines as the adult attire. For very young children, like toddlers and infants still in diapers, bringing along a change of more comfortable clothing for the reception may be appropriate if the wedding attire is formal. Check with the couple or their immediate family to find out.

Suggestions for What to Wear to a Beach Wedding

When shopping for beach wedding attire, be sure to take into account the time of year and expected temperature. A beach wedding during the fall or winter can end up being very cool in the evenings, while a mid-afternoon summer wedding is likely to be hot and sunny. Fabrics like cotton and linen will breathe in the summer, unlike polyester or wool. A bolero or wrap is a good option for covering exposed shoulders as the evening cools.

Coastal winds can also send ties whipping and skirts flying, so be sure to pick up a tie clip and avoid short flowy dresses to prevent clothing guffaws.

Department stores like Nordstrom offer online options to help you shop more easily for the perfect beach wedding apparel. Nordstrom’s Dress Shop has a category featuring dresses appropriate for a guest of the wedding. You can shop by silhouette, body type, or trend as well. The evening gowns, little black dress and cocktail dress categories may also offer appropriate styles. Nordstrom’s Men’s Tailored Shop offers men options from formalwear to blazers and trousers for a more casual look. The Traveler’s Collection has easy to care for clothing perfect to take to a destination wedding.

Women’s Beach Options

Casual sundress

Personal shoppers, salespeople and style managers in department stores and boutiques can help guide you in the right direction when choosing clothing for a beach wedding. To get started, view these clothing options that range from dressy to casual for women:

• The Little Black Dress: J.Crew has an entire selection of little black dresses perfect for a beach formal or semi-formal evening wedding. Many of the dresses come in additional colors.
• Floral Keyhole Halter Dress: Ann Taylor LOFT’s halter dress is a bright and pretty option for a casual afternoon affair.
• JS Boutique Ombre Chiffon Dress: This lightweight spaghetti-strapped dress mimics a summer sunset with its vibrant colors.
• OC by Oleg Cassini Satin Dress: Deep purple stretch satin is a great alternative to black for a summer wedding.

Men’s Beach Attire

Men’s clothing options range from formal suits to beach wedding shirts with slacks. Men’s Warehouse offers pre-styled looks in several occasion categories that are sure to work for any level of formality at a beach wedding:

• Business Casual Style Four: This style features a linen blend sport coat, polo shirt and slacks for a casual wedding attire option.
• Resort Wear Style One: Seersucker cotton pants and an ivory sport coat is an ultra casual vacation attire outfit for an informal beach wedding.
• Semi-Formal Style Four: The tan coat and slacks with bright gold tie and yellow shirt make a great combination for a beach wedding.
• Party Style Six: A traditional black suit and tie is the perfect formal evening outfit for any man.

General Guest Attire Guidelines

Though dressing for a beach wedding can be more difficult than a church wedding or backyard wedding, you can always use some general rules guidelines to help you dress properly.

• Jeans should never be worn (unless requested at a western themed wedding).
• Revealing and risqué clothing is not appropriate.
• Choose fabrics and styles appropriate for the weather.
• Women should not wear dresses in white or off-white.

When in doubt, it is always fine to ask either the couple themselves or their parents about what dress style they had in mind for the wedding. Bridal party members may also be able to steer you in the right direction for choosing your beach wedding attire.