Gorgeous Ideas for What to Wear To a Garden Wedding
It may feel like ages since you’ve been to a wedding because the Pandemic forced many to be canceled. But lately, weddings are booming, and the trend is to hold the ceremony outdoors.
Many couples are choosing smaller, more relaxed garden weddings in a backyard, park, or at a local botanical gardens. That’s because nature is the perfect setting for nuptials- breathtaking scenery, flattering light, lots of space, and fresh, fragrant air. Garden weddings are special because they invigorate all the senses. I’m attending one soon, and I can’t wait!
If you have been invited to a garden wedding and need to figure out what is appropriate outdoor wedding guest attire, read on. I’ve put together a complete guide on What to Wear to a Garden Wedding in 2023!
What to Wear to a Garden Wedding – Dress Code
Garden weddings take place outdoors during the day, so they are considered more casual and relaxed than a wedding inside a church or at a formal venue. The dress code for a garden wedding is typically casual or semi-formal, although it’s always advisable to check the dress code if nothing is noted on the invitation.
The key to putting together a beautiful garden wedding guest outfit is to let the environment inspire your look. Imagine being surrounded by vibrant flowers, lush greenery, and the sweet scent of blooming blossoms as you celebrate love in a picturesque garden setting.
Garden weddings provide a charming backdrop for a joyous occasion, and your outfit should reflect the garden’s natural beauty and be stylish and elegant. Think garden-inspired and floral dresses naturally come to mind.
shop floral maxis
Florals are a Natural Choice
a) Wear a Floral sundress: A floral sundress is a classic choice for a garden wedding. Opt for a knee-length or midi dress in a soft and flowy fabric. Look for romantic details like ruffles, lace, or delicate embroidery. Pair it with strappy sandals and accessorize with dainty jewelry and a small clutch.
b) Flowy maxi dress: Embrace the whimsical and ethereal ambiance of a garden wedding with a flowy maxi dress. Choose a dress in pastel or earthy tones, and consider designs with empire waistlines, off-the-shoulder sleeves, or open backs. Complete the look with wedges or embellished sandals, and add delicate accessories like drop earrings or a statement bracelet.
c) Jumpsuit with floral prints: For a modern and chic look, consider a jumpsuit with floral prints. Look for a style that flatters your body shape and pairs well with heels or wedges. Keep the accessories minimal to let the jumpsuit stand out, and opt for a clutch or a small crossbody bag.
No matter what you wear, Keep these things in mind when choosing an outfit for a Garden Wedding.
Look for:
1. Romantic Silhouettes
Garden weddings are blooming with love! Choose classic styles that are soft and rounded and follow the shape of your body, like wrap dresses, fit and flare, sheath dresses, and A-lines. Anything that nips in at the waist is figure flattering and youthful. Off-the-shoulder and one-shoulder dresses and tops are elegant and romantic. Stay away from severe or oddly cut clothing that looks extreme or boxy, or shapeless
the post
2. Feminine Colors
Colors that Reflect Nature’s Palette are perfect for a garden wedding and help achieve aesthetic harmony. Incorporate hues that mirror the natural surroundings to create a cohesive and enchanting look.
Soft earth tones like sage green, dusty rose, or sky blue are timeless and can capture the essence of the garden. Pastels are soft and romantic, so they are always appropriate for weddings. Or, you could wear bright colors, so long as they didn’t look too wildly tropical. (Leave loud Hawaiian tropical prints for beach or destination weddings).
Colorful florals on a dark blue, black or purple background can also be lovely. If you wear a dress like this, be careful that the overall look isn’t dark or moody. An outdoor wedding is a light, sunny, happy event, so nothing edgy or goth-like.
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3. Floaty Fabrics
Dresses, blouses, and even dress pants made of light, flowy fabrics that move in the breeze are elegant for a garden wedding. For example, chiffon is a favorite and is also very lightweight, so it will keep you cool at an outdoor wedding. Any kind of sheer overlay is also lovely.
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4. Ruffles
Attending any wedding, particularly in a garden setting, is a little like being part of a romance story, which is why a dress with feminine, romantic ruffles fits right in.
Are you concerned about looking too girly? Look for a dress with an elegant vibe. Add a sophisticated clutch or a dressy bag with a chain strap and heels to ground your outfit.
5. Lace and Eyelet
Lace is another beautiful detail that oozes femininity and is a lovely choice for a garden wedding. A satin ribbon belt is romantic and highlights your waist. Or go with something eyelet for a delicate look that is pretty as a flower.
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Lace is always a perfect choice for a wedding and is particularly romantic for a garden wedding. This pretty powder blue fit and flare lace dress is soft and feminine.
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6. Comfortable Shoes
If the ceremony occurs on the grass and not a patio, then wedges, block heels, or a sturdier heel may be better than a thin, pointy heel. You don’t be embarrassed getting your heels stuck somewhere.
7. Dressy Jumpsuits have a Chic Vibe
A dressy jumpsuit like this pink one is another option for a garden wedding, or you could go for a long gown that opens us to classy skinny dress pants. These are called walk through jumpusits. Make sure the look is soft and flowy to get an elegant, relaxed look. Wide-leg pants are also sophisticated and stylish on a jumpsuit.
These are just few ideas for how look as lovely a garden wedding. Keep it relaxed, feminine and elegant and have fun!
Hi Deborah! I’m new to your blog, and I love your advice. My daughter is getting married in Punta Cana this spring, and I love the pink floral dress you are wearing in the main photo for yesterday’s wedding post. Can you provide any details on where it’s available? Thank you!!
Hi Cathy, That’s funny because I just returned from a conference in Punta Cana and I wore that gown to the formal gala dinner! Unfortunately, I bought that dress last year so the exact print is not available, but the dress is in many other colors/prints. It’s from the brand Eliza J, and they continue to recreate this style every year since it is so popular. I have linked some under the second floral maxi dress (the pink one) in this post. See where it says SHOP floral maxis? Hope that helps. Have a great time. Cheers, Deborah
Deb was surprised that you showed me a white dress for a garden wedding.
Hi! I love your posts, but what about a fall outdoor garden wedding in New England, i.e., colder temperatures? I’m stumped. I used Rent the Runway in the past, but their listings are either too formal (sequins/ball gowns) or too short/cocktail/young style for a more mature figure. And shoes! OMG, what shoes to wear in the fall, outside, on uneven terrain — matching said unknown dress? Help!
Hi Heather, outside in the fall in New England?.. who knows because it can be chilly and windy, or it can be still and as hot as summer. The weather is so kooky. I’d probably wear something with sleeves long or short in fall color. These are nice:https://rstyle.me/n/c7y2tib52f7 or https://rstyle.me/n/c7y2t5b52f7 or https://rstyle.me/n/c7y2xdb52f7 or https://rstyle.me/n/c7y2x7b52f7. Maybe this:https://rstyle.me/n/c7y2ytb52f7. You might also want to look into wraps! https://rstyle.me/n/c7y228b52f7 The fall cocktail dresses are just starting to arrive, but in a couple of weeks, there should be more, so hopefully, you will have some time to shop.
Best wishes! Deb
Hi Deborah, I have enjoyed reading your advice. I am 6 years old and would appreciate you showing some 16W plus size clothing for an evening wedding and where to purchase it. I love l the dresses shown above. Thanks
I was at a location today where a wedding was taking place. All the women in the bridal party and the female guests wore lace dresses of various colors. Lace dresses are trendy wedding attire this year, or they planned it.
Lace wedding guest dresses are trendy, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it were a coincidence!
Oh, all of these outfits are stellar. I would wear any of them to a wedding or any other special summer occasion. Dinner al fresco, for example. Beautiful choices!
Grass and or gravel is killer with skinny heels. You WILL sink them, possibly stain them if they are fabric-covered. Flats, wedges, or wider chunkier heels are much more stable.
I love your posts usually, Deborah, but on this occasion, I couldn’t see myself wearing any of these outfits. I think all those frills/ruches/lace would be too much for me, aged 47! But I go by the maxim that if a woman feels confident and can carry it off, why not!
Hi Elizabeth, between the time the style board was created and posted, the tulle dress sold out, so I have substituted, but I will keep looking to see if I can find another. Cheers, Deborah
Lovely suggestions. Just thinking that if on grass, the stilettos would sink into the ground. Maybe wedges or flats (I know they don’t look anywhere near as polished)
Hi Carol,
I mentioned in the post that a different type of shoe is more appropriate if the wedding is on the grass. It’s good if you can do a little research first. Some outdoor weddings, especially at an outdoor venue, are on a patio, so you’d be o.k. It just dep nds. The main the ng is you want to feel comfortable walking around. Cheers, Deb, ah
Agree!
I would recommend a wedge rather than a heel for outdoor celebrations. It’s much easy to walk on the grass.
What if I have my little white keds (new pair, of course) dyed to match a midcalf flowered dress? I’m 69 years old.
Hi Karen, I think a pair of soft ballet flats would be much prettier and just as comfy. Keds wouldn’t look right. They would pull from the dress and look heavy.