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Beach weddings are a wonderful way to celebrate the union of two people in love, and you want to make sure that your special day goes as well as possible. There is so much going into planning a wedding and sometimes it can be hard to know what should be given priority. When it comes to choosing your attire for the big day, there are a lot of factors you will want to consider.
- How formal the wedding is going to be:
- What time of year it will be taking place:
- The type of venue where you are having your reception or ceremony held:
- Whether or not there will be dancing at either event (or both):
- If guests will need accommodations overnight nearby so they don’t have far to travel after partying all night long without worrying about getting behind the wheel:
Boho-style dress
Boho-style dress
If you’re going for a bohemian look, you can’t go wrong with a boho-style dress. The boho style is usually light and airy, and can be short or maxi length. It’s usually very loose fitting and comfortable, so it’s perfect for dancing the night away on the beach. If you want to wear something absolutely gorgeous but still extremely comfortable, then this is the option for you.
Casual maxi dress
Maxi dresses are a great choice for beach weddings because they’re casual, comfortable, and elegant. If you want to wear a maxi dress to your best friend’s beach wedding, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. There are many styles out there that can work with your body shape. For instance:
- Halter maxi dresses allow you to show off toned shoulders and arms while keeping the rest of your body covered. This type works well if you’re pear-shaped and carry most of your weight in your hips, thighs or rear end.
- Empire waist maxi dresses are flattering for those who aren’t very busty but have wide hips. These types of dresses don’t cinch at the waistline, so it’s also ideal for women who have small waists or no defined waistlines at all. It also works well if you have an hourglass figure but don’t like how clingy some fabrics can be when they hug too close to your curves.
- Wrap dress maxis are extremely flattering on all body types because it accentuates any curves while providing plenty of coverage in certain areas (such as large busts). These types look best when paired with high heels; just make sure that they’re closed-toe shoes such as pumps or flats so that sand doesn’t get into them!
Capri pants and blouse
If you’re searching for a versatile, elegant alternative to standard dresses or skirts and tops, opt for a pair of capri pants with a complementary blouse. Capris are an ideal choice as they provide excellent coverage while still allowing you to stay cool in the warm weather. With the right combination of materials, fabrics, and colors, you can create an outfit that will look just as good on the beach as it would at a wedding in a hotel ballroom.
If capris aren’t your thing and you prefer something more traditionally feminine, capri pants are also available in styles that look like skirts. This might be especially appealing if you’re looking for your children to wear coordinating outfits with yours.
Printed maxi dress
Dress up a casual cotton maxi dress by pairing it with the right accessories. You can create a bohemian look that’s perfect for a beach wedding with a great pair of earrings and sandals, such as our flats in metallic gold. Need something to wear over your shoulders? A lightweight long cardigan or kimono keeps you covered without covering up any of your pretty prints.
A printed maxi dress is also the perfect choice if you’re hoping to avoid having to fuss over your hemline all night. The last thing you want is to be constantly pulling down on hems or worrying about whether or not you’ll have an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction due to high winds at the coast!
Lightweight fabric suit
A suit with a lightweight fabric like linen or cotton is perfect for this occasion. It’s not a blazer to be confused with any old business attire; it’s clearly a suit, but one that has the appropriate weight and texture for the setting.
To go along with your suit, you should wear no tie, no socks, and loafers or boat shoes. (You’ll want to avoid wearing sneakers.) For an added touch in keeping things casual and comfortable, opt for an open-collar shirt instead of one with a button-down collar that requires cufflinks.
Skirt and top
A skirt and top are a classic choice, and there are many options to fit any wedding theme. For a more relaxed style, try a pastel-colored flowy skirt paired with a silky or sheer top. To give it an extra flirty flair, go for a shorter hemline with ruffled details on either the skirt or the blouse. The same look goes for lightweight fabrics in linens and cottons, creating an outfit that’s breezy enough to keep you cool but formal enough to feel appropriate at a beach wedding.
Formal maxi gown
When you’re invited to a beach wedding, it’s important to know the dress code before you start shopping for your perfect sand-and-surf ensemble. Beach weddings are generally much more casual than ceremonies held in traditional locations, but some can still be as formal as any other affair.
If the invitation doesn’t specify what type of attire is appropriate—or if you’re just not sure—ask someone who’s familiar with the event. If they say it will be a formal or black-tie beach wedding, don’t assume that means it’ll be casual—it simply means there won’t be a tuxedo or floor-length gown requirement. You should still choose something that matches the gravity of the occasion.
Maxi dresses are an obvious choice for this type of event because they’re comfortable and breezy, yet still fancy enough to fit in with whatever level of formality is expected at the ceremony itself. Plus they aren’t quite as long as traditional evening gowns, meaning they’re less likely to get dirty from dragging on the ground or blowing up into your face during a particularly windy day at the beach (which is good news since their hemlines may not touch your ankles).
Jumpsuit
Jumpsuits aren’t traditional beach wedding attire for either men or women, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be an excellent option. Whether you want to dress the jumpsuit up or down, the versatility of this piece makes it a good choice for a beach wedding. Additionally, jumpsuits are available in a variety of styles and sizes and can be found at most retailers.
Go boho. Go patterned. Go light. Just don’t go too casual.
You can go with a boho style dress. Look for a dress that’s light and airy, something that almost seems to float on you, and pair it with your favorite wedges or espadrilles. Or try a casual maxi dress in a patterned fabric or lace—a maxi dress is the ideal choice for an outdoor wedding because it’s comfortable, but still elegant. If you prefer separates, opt for capri pants paired with a soft blouse, and finish off your look with flat sandals or flip flops.
The idea is to wear something that feels natural on the beach. Your outfit should be as laid-back as your surroundings while still feeling appropriate for such an important life event. And of course, keep in mind the time of day: if you’re attending a morning or afternoon wedding ceremony, stick to light fabrics and pastel colors; if the ceremony will be at sunset (or later!), you can experiment with bolder hues like red and pink in heavier fabrics like linen or cotton blends.
Conclusion
Beach weddings are held in the summer, so you should be aware of what heat and humidity can do to your outfit. If your clothes are too heavy or constricting, you will likely be uncomfortable, and won’t have a great time at the wedding. You don’t want to waste all of your energy worrying about sweat stains, or tugging at your clothes to let air in. When choosing what to wear to a beach wedding, consider the shape and material of your clothing items carefully.
Some important things to avoid wearing include:
- White—this is always inappropriate for guests at weddings
- Jeans—a beach wedding is not a casual affair
- Flip flops—if flip flops are allowed at all, they still aren’t appropriate for women except during cocktail hour when there’s no dancing expected
- Anything you would wear to the office—you may think this sounds obvious but it’s worth repeating that beach weddings are not formal events but they are semi-formal events meaning they’re slightly more formal than a barbecue or backyard party but much less formal than an evening gala or ballroom event.
