How to Be the Best-Dressed Guest at a Summer Wedding 

A wedding is delightful at any time of year, but summer is the quintessential season to say ‘I do.’ Long days and balmy breezes add up to a fabulously memorable experience. But mellow weather doesn’t necessarily mean laid-back apparel, and figuring out what to wear to a summer wedding can be tricky. Can you get away with a linen shift dress and pearl earrings for an evening affair? Is full-on glam with a floor-length silk gown appropriate for a daytime event? Whether you’re in the market for a formal wedding guest dress or something more casual, we’ve got you covered. Read on to find out how to be the best-dressed wedding guest this summer. 

Decoding Summer Wedding Dress Etiquette 

 Sunshine and a vacation mindset do not automatically add up to a casual dress code. The last thing you want to do is embarrass your hosts or yourself by being underdressed. Look at the invitation, the venue, and the time of day for clues. The fancier the location and the later in the day, the more formal the event will tend to be. Morning or afternoon weddings often mean more leeway with the dress code, but that does not mean shorts and tee shirts are okay. In the case of weddings, when in doubt, always dress with more formality rather than less. 

SHOP THE LOOK: 

NAVY BLUE SPARKLY MAXI DRESS; BLUSH PINK MERMAID MAXI DRESS

BLACK BODYCON RUFFLED MIDI DRESS

Wedding Guest Dresses for a Formal Summer Wedding  

A formal wedding means formal attire no matter the time of year. The invite may state directly ‘black tie,’ in which case a formal (meaning full-length) gown for the ladies and a tux for the gents are de rigueur. Note that cocktail (short) dresses, lovely as they are, are too casual for a formal wedding. Summer does, however, mean that you have more room to play with color. Wedding guest dresses in light, bright, bold colors and/or patterns are perfect for a summer wedding. Also acceptable are more daring shapes, such as off-the–shoulder, sheer, cut-outs, and the like. But keep propriety in mind. Whether or not a religious site is involved, weddings are family events, thus plunging necklines and thigh-high slits are not the best choice. 

SHOP THE LOOK:

GOLD SEQUIN EMBROIDERED MAXI DRESS; SWEETHEART CORSETED SATIN MAXI DRESS;

CHAMPAGNE SEQUIN MAXI DRESS

Wedding Guest Dresses for a Semi-Formal Summer Wedding 

A semi-formal event allows for more flexibility. Cocktail dresses in bright colors, floral prints, ruffles, or other unique details are perfect for a summer wedding guest dress. Men have more options as well. While a suit is still necessary for semi-formal, it need not be a tux. Lighter colors and fabrics are perfectly acceptable. Indeed, it is wise to avoid a black suit at an outdoor daytime wedding as it will absorb sunlight, potentially leading to overheating. 

SHOP THE LOOK: 

BLUE TIE-STRAPS RUFFLED MIDI DRESS; GREEN FLORAL PRINT PUFF SLEEVE MIDI DRESS; 

YELLOW FLORAL SLEEVELESS MIDI DRESS

Wedding Guest Dresses for a Casual Summer Wedding 

A casual wedding offers the widest choice of dressing options, which paradoxically can make deciding on a casual summer wedding guest dress the hardest of all. First of all, well-worn items should be left at home. This includes everything from apparel to jewelry to accessories. Show respect for the couple and the occasion with a neat, ironed, fresh ensemble. Even for an eco-friendly wedding, clothes should never be untucked, stretched out, or wrinkled. Once again, the venue will help you decide what to wear. 

SHOP THE LOOK: FLORAL SATIN MIDI DRESS IN BLUE, PINK, ORANGE

Wedding Guest Dresses for an Outdoor Summer Wedding 

An outdoor summer wedding is perhaps the whole reason the happy couple is holding their ceremony at this time of year. But because you cannot know the weather in advance, plan for sun and heat. Breathable fabrics in a style that allows for airflow will keep you cool and comfortable, all while remaining stylish. 

SHOP THE LOOK: 

BLUE FLORAL PRINT MAXI DRESS; HOT PINK PRINT HALTER MAXI DRESS

MINT GREEN PRINT FLUTTER SLEEVE MAXI DRESS

Indoor Summer Wedding

An indoor summer wedding eliminates the uncertainty of weather and should be easier to figure out an outfit but indoor venues present their own challenges. We’ve all been to parties where the air conditioning is arctic, uneven, or fails completely. What to do? Dress in layers. Ladies will want a coordinating pashmina or shawl. For men, a three-piece suit is perfect. You’ll look fabulous whether you keep the jacket on or shed it. Again, be sure to read over the invitation carefully to ascertain the venue. If the event is being held at a religious facility, exposed shoulders, backs, or thighs may not be appropriate. 

SHOP THE LOOK:

NAVY BLUE SATIN TIERED MIDI DRESS; AZAZIE×KENDALL KYLIE ANKLE LENGTH DRESS

REGAL RUFFLES DUSTY BLUE SATIN FLUTTER SLEEVE MIDI DRESS

Beach Summer Wedding 

Generally speaking, beach weddings are the most informal of casual weddings, but still read over the invitation to check for any dress code requests. If no parameters are given, start with practicality in mind. A beach wedding guest dress will potentially be subject to strong breezes, so a more fitted style may be best to avoid showing more skin than you intend. Men can get away without a tie, and bolder colors and patterns are also acceptable for both men and women. 

SHOP THE LOOK: HOMEWOOD ORANGE FLORAL PRINT MAXI DRESS

Summer Wedding Timing 

The time of day is an essential consideration when selecting your summer wedding guest dress. Daytime allows for more casual apparel, while evening tends to be more formal. If you’re still not sure what is appropriate to wear, go with a midi or maxi wedding guest dress for an evening event.  Knee-length is suitable for a morning or afternoon event. For men, go darker for evening, and lighter and brighter during the day.

SHOP THE LOOK: BEAUTIFUL SOUL LILAC FLORAL PRINT MAXI DRESS

Summer Wedding Fabrics

 Perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects of dressing is the type of fabric the clothes are made from. It is very hard to have a good time if you are uncomfortable due to sticky, scratchy, or heavy materials. Velvet or other wintry-feeling fabrics should be avoided in the summer. Satin, too, can be quite dense, and it might show sweat easily. While wool seems like a bad choice for summer, it does actually wick moisture away — provided you choose a lightweight one. Another smart option for extra breathability is a wool-linen blend. For a summer wedding guest dress, linen, cotton, and lightweight silk in chiffon, tulle, or organza will let you feel cool and fresh, allowing you to relax and to focus on the happy couple rather than how soon you can change out of your dress! 

SHOP THE LOOK:

PINK FLORAL PRINT V-NECK SHORT SLEEVE MIDI DRESS IMAGE VIA chychykalo.olha 

Summer Wedding Colors 

One of the best things about summer weddings is having more freedom to play with color and patterns. So have fun picking out something bold and cheery to suit the happy event. So long as your outfit matches the formality of the event, a bright orange or pretty floral dress can be just the thing to inject extra cheer into the party. The only color that is truly a no-no for guest dresses is white. 

SHOP THE LOOK:

ALLPORT BLUE FLORAL PRINT OFF-THE-SHOULDER SMOCKED MIDI DRESS IMAGE VIA chychykalo.olha

Talking about color, I bet you all know this summer’s hottest trend —— Barbiecore! Bright pink is the perfect color choice for a wedding guest outfit that will turn heads. With its bold colors and playful, retro-inspired style, the Barbiecore dress is sure to make you feel like a fashion icon. And thanks to its versatile design, you can easily dress it up or down to suit any wedding dress code. Pair it with strappy heels and statement earrings for a formal affair, or dress it down with flats and a denim jacket for a more casual event. No matter how you wear it, the Barbiecore dress is the ultimate summer wedding guest outfit that you’ll want to wear again and again. So why not add a touch of whimsy to your wardrobe and make a statement at your next wedding event with the Barbiecore dress?

SHOP THE LOOK: 

AURORA PINK FLORAL PRINT PUFF SLEEVE MIDI DRESS;  TULLE-PROOF PINK TULLE STRAPLESS TIERED MAXI DRESS;

WEST POINT PINK FLORAL PRINT PUFF SLEEVE CUTOUT MIDI DRESS

SHOP THE LOOK: PINK FLORAL PRINT PLEATED FLUTTER SLEEVE MIDI DRESS

Summer Wedding Shoes 

Besides being trapped in hot and sweaty clothes, uncomfortable shoes can really ruin the day. Your shoe selection will be especially important in an outdoor setting. Stilettos are not a great choice for walking in sand or across a lawn. A dress sandal or wedge heel is a much safer bet. In a beach setting, men can go sockless. Unless flip-flops are provided by the hosts, they are a hard No. 

SHOP THE SHOES:

CRYSTAL CLEAR KITTEN SANDALS; CROSSBAND BUCKLE BLOCK HEEL SANDALS;

ANKLE STRAP STRAW ESPADRILLE WEDGES

In Conclusion

Rule number one for winning in the best-dressed category is to avoid being too casual. Check the invite for clues, and when in doubt, dress up. A wedding, even in the heat of summer, is a very special event. Besides that, the vast majority of us dress casually most of the time. A wedding offers the opportunity to break out of your same-old, same-old look and show the world a different side of you.