Beach Wedding Attire: What To Wear For A Casual Ceremony

If you're planning a beach wedding, it's important to give your guests a clear idea of what to wear. While beach weddings are often more casual than black-tie events, the specific level of formality can vary. To help your guests choose the right outfits, you should include the dress code on your wedding invitations or details cards, or on your wedding website. For a casual beach wedding, men can wear collared shirts and nice shorts or chinos, while women can opt for sundresses or dressy separates. If you're going for a more formal look, men can wear suits in light colours, and women can choose from midi or maxi dresses, or even a classy jumpsuit or pantsuit.

What to wear: breathable fabrics, fun prints, and simple, high-end staples

When it comes to beach wedding attire, it's all about striking the perfect balance between elegance and comfort. Here are some tips for choosing breathable fabrics, fun prints, and simple, high-end staples for your beach wedding outfit:

Breathable Fabrics

Opt for lightweight and breathable fabrics that will keep you cool and comfortable in the warm weather. Linen, cotton, and silk are excellent choices. For a more upscale look, consider lace or tulle, which are light and airy while still being sophisticated. If you're attending a formal beach wedding, these fabrics will strike the perfect balance between elegance and comfort.

Fun Prints

Beach weddings are the perfect opportunity to embrace fun and playful prints. For a semi-formal or cocktail attire wedding, you can choose a dress, suit, or jumpsuit with prints. Just be mindful not to choose anything too loud or clashy with the venue. Tropical prints, florals, and stripes are all great options that embody the beach vibe while still looking put-together.

Simple, High-End Staples

For a beach wedding, it's essential to focus on high-quality, well-tailored pieces that will elevate your look. For women, a simple sundress, a breezy maxi dress, or a high-quality romper can be excellent choices. You can also opt for a classic white shirt and a midi or maxi skirt. If you want to add a touch of glamour, consider a silk camisole with wide-leg trousers or a linen blazer with tailored shorts.

For men, a well-fitted polo shirt paired with Chinos or linen trousers will create a polished look. You can also opt for a classic suit in a light colour, such as beige or light blue. Avoid dark colours and heavy fabrics that will make you feel too warm.

When it comes to footwear, it's best to avoid stilettos as they can sink into the sand. Instead, go for dressy sandals, wedges, or chunky heels. If the wedding is casual, men can wear sandals, but only if their feet are well-manicured.

What not to wear: stilettos, black, denim, and cotton t-shirts

When it comes to beach wedding attire, it's important to remember that this is a special occasion and your outfit should reflect that. While you want to be comfortable, it's not the same as a day at the beach, so leave the swimsuits, denim, and cotton t-shirts at home.

For women, a simple sundress, breezy maxi dress, or high-quality romper are good options. Dressy sandals are acceptable, but avoid standard beachwear flip-flops. Small touches that lend a beachy vibe are encouraged, like a fishtail braid or a sweetgrass clutch.

For men, short-sleeved shirts like polos are fine, as well as nice shorts (think Chinos) with a belt. Lighter colours and bold prints are a good choice, but avoid denim, cargo, and swim shorts. This is the only instance where sandals may be acceptable, but make sure your feet are well-manicured. If sandals aren't your thing, go for a deck shoe or loafer, never sneakers.

Now, onto what not to wear:

Stilettos

Stilettos are a no-go for beach weddings. They will sink into the sand, making it difficult to walk and ruining the look of your shoes. Go for chunky heels, formal wedge sandals, or dressy sandals instead. If the wedding isn't on the beach, you can bring a pair of stilettos to change into for the evening.

Black

While black is a classic colour for formal events, it's not typical for beach weddings. Instead, go for lighter colours like beige, light blue, or pastel shades. You can also embrace vibrant colours and playful prints that reflect the tropical setting.

Denim

Denim is too casual for a beach wedding. It's important to remember that this is still a wedding, so dress accordingly. Opt for lightweight trousers like chinos or linen pants instead.

Cotton T-shirts

Cotton t-shirts are too casual and not appropriate for a beach wedding. For men, a button-down shirt or a polo shirt is a better choice. Women can choose a nice top and skirt or a sundress.

How to describe the dress code on the invitation: include beach casual in the lower left or right-hand corner, or at the bottom centre of the invitation

When it comes to beach wedding attire, it's important to strike a balance between comfort and formality. To help your guests understand the level of formality expected of them, you can include the dress code on the wedding invitation itself. Here are some suggestions for how to describe the dress code on your invitations, with a focus on including the phrase "beach casual" in the lower left or right-hand corner, or at the bottom centre:

Lower Left or Right-Hand Corner

You can use the bottom left or right corner of your invitation to specify the dress code. For example, you could write:

> Dress Code: Beach Casual

> Attire: Light and breezy fabrics in fun, tropical colours.

Or, for a more light-hearted approach:

> Get ready to hit the beach! Dress code is beach casual – think sun-kissed colours, breezy fabrics and comfy footwear.

Bottom Centre

If you prefer to keep the wording at the bottom centre of your invitation, you could simply state:

> Beach Casual Attire

Or, for a more detailed description:

> Attire: Beach Casual. Ladies, think sundresses or breezy maxis. Gents, go for polos, Chinos shorts and deck shoes.

Other Tips for Describing Beach Casual Attire

• If you're having a wedding website, you can provide more detailed suggestions and examples of appropriate attire for your guests.
• Colours like aquamarine blue, turquoise, sand, tangerine and lime green are great choices for a beach wedding.
• Ladies, avoid stilettos and instead opt for wedges, chunky heels or dressy sandals.
• Gents, a short-sleeved shirt, nice shorts (e.g. Chinos) with a belt, and deck shoes or loafers are a perfect beach casual look.
• Avoid denim, cargo shorts, swim shorts and cotton t-shirts.

Where else to include dress code details: a separate information/details card, or a wedding website

When it comes to a beach casual wedding, it can be tricky to convey the right balance of comfort and style in your invitation. Here are some ideas on where to include dress code details other than the invitation itself:

A separate information/details card

Including a separate details card along with your invitation is a great way to provide guests with additional important information. This keeps your invitation simple and elegant while ensuring guests have all the necessary details. On the details card, you can specify the dress code, such as "beach casual," and offer a brief description. For example:

> Our wedding will take place on the beach, so please dress accordingly. We suggest comfortable, breathable fabrics and casual footwear. Think light colours, fun prints, and a relaxed vibe!

A wedding website

A wedding website is an excellent way to provide guests with more comprehensive information about your wedding, including the dress code. You can include this information on the homepage along with other essential details such as the date, venue, and time. If your website has multiple event pages, you can add a specific dress code for each event.

On your website, you can also include a dedicated FAQ page where you provide more detailed answers about the dress code. For example:

Q: Is there a dress code?

A: Yes, the dress code for our beach wedding is casual. We suggest light and airy outfits, such as sundresses or breezy maxi dresses for women and polos or short-sleeved shirts with Chinos for men. Please avoid denim, cargo shorts, and swimwear. Sandals are acceptable, but please ensure they are dressy and not your typical beach flip-flops.

Remember, it's always better to provide more information than less, so your guests can feel confident and comfortable in their attire choices.

How to word the dress code: dressy casual, cocktail attire, or beach formal

When it comes to beach wedding attire, it's important to consider the formality of the event, the time of year, the weather, and the venue. While beach weddings often lean towards a more casual vibe, it's essential to remember that it's still a wedding, so the attire should reflect that. Here's a guide on how to word the dress code for a beach wedding invitation, ranging from dressy casual to beach formal:

Dressy Casual

For a dressy casual beach wedding, guests should be invited to dress neatly, without being too dressy or too casual. For men, this could include dark denim, chinos, or suit pants with a neat shirt. Women can opt for a skirt or smart trousers, and perhaps a blazer for a more polished look. The key is to strike a balance between looking put together and maintaining a relaxed, beachy vibe.

Cocktail Attire

Cocktail attire for a beach wedding is a step above smart casual. Women can opt for dresses, suits, or jumpsuits, with a hem that falls above the knee or any length above floor-length. Men can wear a suit without a tie or a sports jacket and dress shirt. This dress code allows guests to look polished while still embracing the casual elegance of a beach setting.

Beach Formal

For a beach formal wedding, guests should aim for sophistication and elegance. Women can choose an elegant, long dress with dressy shoes or a suit with a jacket, similar to what they might wear to a formal indoor wedding. Men can wear a suit with a jacket, tie, button-down shirt, and dress shoes. Lighter colours such as sand, light blue, or light grey are perfect for a beach formal event, creating a stylish and chic look.

Frequently asked questions