Here’s Exactly What to Wear to a Beach Wedding This Summer as a Guest

There’s plenty of discourse on what not to wear to a wedding (white is obviously off the table; red can raise eyebrows), and most nuptials come with some sort of dress-code guidance. Knowing what to wear to a beach wedding as a guest, however, is trickier.

At a sunny oceanfront venue, the line between a vacation-ready, potentially too-casual sundress and appropriate wedding-guest attire blurs. So for those still searching for the right ’fit ahead of loved ones’ nuptials, we’re here to help spark some sartorial inspiration for any type of beach wedding, be it black tie or boho.

Glamour’s beach wedding wish list

Unlike traditional weddings at a place of worship—which might call for concealed shoulders or no low-cut dresses—there’s often a lot more flexibility when it comes to a beach wedding dress code. For one, shoes aren’t necessarily a requirement once you’re on the sand. (That said, summery espadrilles, loafers, boat shoes, and thong sandals are encouraged!) You can play more with color, too, so feel free to dip into bright neons, jewel tones, aquatic blues, and seafoam-inspired pastels. Also, silhouettes span every style, from flowy maxis to breezy jumpsuits.

Of course, make sure to double-check the wedding invitation for the event’s dress code. If one isn’t listed, look up the venue to get a sense of how dressy the occasion might be. A formal beach wedding, or even a semiformal one, is very different from a laid-back ceremony. Black tie on the beach is so elegant, but you don’t want to show up in a floor-length (shore-length?) hemline if the vibe is more flip-flops and sun hats, you know?

But when in doubt, you can’t go too wrong at warm-weather ceremonies in a floral sundress. Also, breathable fabrics—think linen, cotton, and rayon—will be your best defense against melting into a pool of sweat before the newlyweds officially tie the knot. Ahead, we’ve gathered some stylish beach wedding outfit inspo for those still deep in the online-shopping trenches ahead of peak summer wedding season.