What to Wear to a Beach Wedding: The Guest Dress Guide

A beach or destination wedding asks more of a guest dress than a ballroom does: it has to handle heat, wind and sand and still look right in the photos. Here is how to read the dress code, what to wear, and what to leave at home.

Start with the invitation

The dress code on the invitation decides everything. "Beach formal" or "black tie optional" at a resort means a long dress or a polished midi. "Resort casual" or "beach casual" means a sundress or an elegant two-piece is enough. If the invitation says nothing, look at the venue: an evening ceremony at a hotel calls for more than an afternoon one on the sand.

What to wear to a beach wedding

• Length: midi or maxi. Midi is easier on sand; maxi reads as more formal for an evening reception.
• Fabric: silk, chiffon, crepe, linen blends, cotton and crochet. Avoid heavy satin and anything that shows heat.
• Color: saturated brights, florals and prints photograph beautifully against sand and sea. Pastels work for daytime ceremonies.
• Movement: a skirt with some weight or a lining behaves better in coastal wind than very sheer layers.
• Shoes: block heels, wedges or embellished flat sandals. Stilettos sink.

What not to wear

• White, ivory or anything that could read as bridal, unless the couple asks for it.
• A swimsuit cover-up as your outfit, however beautiful.
• Floor-sweeping trains, which collect sand.
• Very sheer fabric with nothing underneath; ceremony lighting is often bright sun.

Our picks for destination wedding guests

For a formal evening reception: a sculpted gown or a structured midi from Reinaldo Lourenço or something from our eveningwear edit.

For an afternoon ceremony: a fluid printed dress from FARM Rio or Animale, or a resort dress from Adriana Degreas.

For something no one else will wear: a hand-made crochet dress from AMMI.

To finish: a beaded or wood marquetry clutch from NANNACAY.

Shop our edits of wedding guest dresses, cocktail dresses, black tie and gala dresses and maxi dresses.

Packing tips for destination weddings

Carry the dress on the plane. Roll it in tissue or a garment bag, and hang it in the bathroom while you shower to release creases. Pack a light wrap for an air-conditioned reception and a pair of flats for dancing on the sand.

What should a guest wear to a beach wedding?

Wear a midi or maxi dress in a breathable fabric like silk, chiffon, cotton or linen, in a color or print that is not white, with block heels, wedges or dressy flat sandals that will not sink in sand.

Is a maxi dress appropriate for a beach wedding?

Yes. A maxi dress is one of the best choices for a beach wedding, especially for an evening reception. Choose one that ends at the ankle rather than on the floor so it does not drag in the sand.

What colors should you avoid at a beach wedding?

Avoid white, ivory and very pale champagne, which can read as bridal. Unless the couple asks for a specific palette, bright colors, florals and prints are the safest choices.

What does beach formal mean for women?

Beach formal means a long dress or an elegant midi in a lightweight fabric, worn with dressy sandals. It is the beach equivalent of cocktail or black-tie-optional attire.