Summer Wedding Attire

If you will be attending a wedding this summer, one of your biggest questions is probably what to wear. You will want to look summery and feel comfortable while being festive. This is what to wear to a summer wedding, whether you have been invited to a casual beach wedding or a formal evening soiree in a private club.

Summer weddings tend to be more relaxed than winter ones, just as a rule of thumb. That does not mean that guests should not bother to dress up, however! Even the most casual weddings, there are no place for sandals on men, plastic flip flops, and anything to low cut or revealing. Beyond that, take your style cues from the location and time of the wedding. Usually locations like churches or country clubs are the most formal, then garden weddings , and the most casual being the beach. Evening weddings are almost always more formal than daytime ones, and definitely call for fancier attire and  accessories like sparkly crystal earrings.

Let’s start with the most casual type of summer wedding, which is usually the beach or park wedding. For a wedding guest at the beach, the perfect outfit would be strapless or spaghetti strap sundress in a festive color. A linen shift dress in a tan or navy would work well, if you tend to perefer more conservative clothing. Never show up to a beach wedding wearing black! Matallic or beaded sandals are the perfect shoes for a wedding on the grass or sand. You may want to bring something lightweight to cover yourself, if the wedding goes into the evening hours. Jewelry should be kept somewhat simple, such as a pearl tin cup necklace or a dainty pair of crystal earrings.

For a summer garden wedding, select a slightly more upscale dress than you would for a beach wedding. A wrap dress or silk shift dress would be perfect. Floral prints work perfectly for garden weddings. Imagine how nice a slightly full cotton voile skirt with a floral print would be paired with a silk sweater in a coordinating color. Feminine hues such as pink, peach, yellow, lavender, and light blues are really very beautiful for guests at a garden wedding, but there are not set rules. Beware of too-skinny heels which will sink into the grass, but kitten heel shoes, silk sandals and slingbacks are all good choices. Pearl necklaces, crystal earrings, and charm bracelets are examples of jewelry which will suit this style of wedding.

Plan to take it up a notch, if you are attending a more formal summer wedding. For a somewhat formal summer wedding but not black tie, a long dress would be beautiful. Keep it looking summery, with light colors and fabric. A full length seersucker dress would be amazing, as would a flowy strapless chiffon dress to the floor. If the wedding is formal but not black tie, keep your hair soft and loose to avoid looking overly formal or stiff. Soft flowing waves or a simple bun at the nape of the neck will be ideal. Pearl or crystal chandelier earrings would be a beautiful accessory, as would high heel sandals.

For the most formal summer wedding, which would be black tie, dress much as you would for a black tie wedding at any time of the year. A full length or very ostentatious short cocktail dress is in order. In the evening, a summer silk chiffon can be lovely, although a fabric with some sheen is also entirely appropriate. Add a crystal ornament in your hair to complement your crystal earrings and necklace, with your elaborate hairstlye. To finish the look perfectly, choose a beaded handbag and a fabulous pair of dressy sandals. You are a gorgeous and confident wedding guest, when you know what to wear.