There are a lot of things to keep in mind when you’re picking out what to wear to a wedding as a guest. What time of year is the wedding? What time of day is the reception? Who will be at the celebration with you? You want your attire to say that you were invited, but other than that, it should be about what suits your personal style and comfort level. Today I bring you this amazing collection of wedding guest dresses you can try on at the beach.
Generally speaking, for daytime beach weddings, consider wearing something more formal and dressy like a sheath dress or a maxi gown and heels—ideally in a color like navy blue or black, but can be a printed version. For evening weddings, think less formal—maybe wear an elegant dress with comfortable shoes for dancing if you know there will be dancing at this event.
If you will be attending a casual beach wedding, it is important to know that some beaches require more coverage than others. Since you’re attending a destination wedding, it may be best to pack a couple extra outfits in case the weather doesn’t cooperate 😉 .
Whatever you choose, try to avoid white and pastels altogether. White is always appropriate for the bride and for bridesmaids’ dresses; plus, if you wear white at any other time during the day (as long as it isn’t see-through or too sheer) you could get away with it. However, bleached-out or faded white should be avoided at all costs. Pastels are also another good no-no. They might be fine for the bride, but they’re not appropriate for the guests. So stick to neutral colors or combinations (like a navy-colored sheath dress with a cream-colored scarf) rather than matching pastels or white.
While it is true that wedding guests rarely wear cocktail dresses, you don’t want to be wearing something too quirky. There are a few ways to dress up your ensemble with accessories without falling into the “too formal one’s”. You can wear a simple dress (like the example pictured above) with a pair of heels and a little black clutch. Or, you can be slightly more creative with your attire; for instance, wear a simple, summery sundress and a pair of wedges with gold-colored jewelry.
As long as you follow these rules, you’ll surely impress at the big event without upsetting the bride or embarrassing yourself. Pick out an outfit that looks like it is appropriate but that is fitted to reflect your personal sense of style.
A few tips: In addition to taking into consideration the time of year and the time of day of the wedding, consider a couple of other factors when choosing a wedding guest dress. First, consider your own personal style. If you’re an entirely casual person, stick with something more casual—maybe a sheath dress or a sleeveless version. Alternatively, for those who dress up frequently and love accessories, you might want to go with something more trendy but still classy: maybe a strappy dress in cream or navy; or a classic gown in dark gray with gold jewelry and heels.
You also may want to consider accessories. If you wish to stick with necklaces, make sure you don’t go over-the-top with them—too many blingy statement necklaces can age you far too quickly. A few simple gold chains will do the trick—or even a dull necklace paired with a plain gold watch would work just as well. Just make sure to avoid anything too fancy.
Speaking of watches, you might want to stick with a more classic timepiece rather than an ornate watch that is really too flashy for the event. Simple chunky gold bangles will do just as well.
Finally, if you have ever had an awkward moment in a fancy store or encountered someone in the wrong dress in a crowded room, you know what I’m talking about. And since this is the wedding of your best friend or someone else, you’ll want to look your very best! So be prepared to do some shopping and try on different dresses until you find one that works for both your body type and for the occasion of the day.
If you want to be most safe and secure, don’t choose anything that is too formal or too casual. Instead, choose something in the middle that will be both comfortable and appropriate for the occasion of your big day.
Don’t forget, your body type is a consideration as well; if you’re petite, don’t go with long flowing dresses—those will only make you look shorter and more voluptuous on what is hopefully a special day for everyone involved. When it comes to fit, you will have to compromise. Every body type is just different when it comes to the way the dress will fit under the arms, around the back area and across the chest. So if you are closely following your measurements and they are not yet available, hold off on shopping; you’ll be able to find that perfect gown when you know your actual measurements.
While it may not feel like it when you are there, pastel colors are generally considered a little bit more formal than bright bold colors. For instance light blue is more formal than pink or yellow. Brown and maroon are also more appropriate than pink. You’ll definitely look nicer this way, and you won’t have any regrets later on.
