What to Wear to Every Kind of Summer Wedding

If it’s been a long time since you attended a summer wedding, you’re probably feeling stressed about what to wear. What color dress should you buy? Should it be a solid or a print, long or short, and what style? The questions go on and on.

To find your answer, look for clues in the place of the wedding/reception. A formal church wedding in the city, followed by a large, swanky reception at a posh hotel, calls for a very different dress than what you’d wear to a small, low-key ceremony outside in the countryside, followed by a reception at the old mill wedding hall.

With weddings everywhere these days, it’s hard to decipher the dress code. So, here’s what to wear to a Summer Wedding, no matter what type it is or where it’s held.

What to Wear to a Formal Summer Wedding- a cocktail dress or dressy pantsuit.

What to Wear to a Casual Summer Wedding – a casual summer dress, skirt, and top, or jumpsuit.

What to Wear to a Summer Wedding in the City?

Big City weddings are trendy cocktail affairs with a cosmopolitan vibe. They are usually held in a restaurant or club, on a rooftop, or at any other type of classy urban venue. Your goal should be to look modern and sophisticated. An elegant shift dress with a touch of drama, like this hot pink one-shoulder dress, is just what you need for a big city wedding. Choose a vivid summer hue or a cool, graphic print.

A pair of statement earrings, a statement necklace, and high heels help create a chic look. As for your bag? Keep your look sleek with a ladylike, structured clutch that resembles a piece of art.

Style Tip: The most sophisticated looks are minimalist and non-fussy. Keep it maintained, lean, and clean. look

Casual Summer Wedding in the Countryside

“Rustic Chic” is the theme du jour for many summer weddings, meaning more couples are tying the knot in barns, fields, orchards, and vineyards. When you are invited to one of these events, play into the relaxed, happy theme by choosing a sweet dress.

A proper length hits the knee or just above it, but the popular “midi” length, which hits mid-calf, can work too. A floral print complements the homespun vibe, but if that’s not your thing, any other classic print, from stripes to polka dots, can work too. A pretty solid color can work, too. Nothing dark or dreary.

Instead of heels, which will sink into the grass, opt for a pair of low wedges. Complete your look with some elegant, soft-looking jewelry.

Style Tip: If the ceremony is on a hot, sunny day, consider bringing a feminine, wide-brimmed hat. This can look very pretty at an outdoor country wedding.

What to Wear to a Summer Beach Wedding or Wedding on the Water

Increasingly, couples are opting for a seaside ceremony instead of a traditional church wedding. In this case, your summer wedding guest attire would need to be more casual.

Maxi dresses are a fantastic option for a beach wedding. They’re relaxed but still glamorous and a bit boho. Pair a flowy tropical maxi like this one above with wedges to help you maneuver the sandy ground. Go for an ethereal look. Ocean-themed accessories or jewelry in beachy tones and textures are perfect for making outfits, but hippie-chic pieces work too. Don’t forget a shawl to wrap your shoulders in for when the sunsets!

Don’t forget a pair of sunglasses, and you may even need a shawl when the sun begins to set.

Style Tip: Keep your maxi fancy enough for a wedding by choosing one in a luxe fabric (think jersey, lined chiffon, basically anything but basic stretch cotton).

More Tips for How to Dress for a Summer Wedding

• Keep it classy. A wedding isn’t the time for looking sexy! Your body should be 2/3 covered to ensure you’re appropriately dressed. Not sure how much skin is too much? Err on the side of caution with more conservative necklines and hems that hit just above the knee or longer.

•  A wedding with a church or temple ceremony may require you to pack a light wrap to cover your shoulders as a sign of respect. Not familiar with the religion? Ask a fellow guest if this or other forms of modesty, such as head coverings, are required.
• The earlier the wedding, the more casual it tends to be. This doesn’t give a green light to denim. Still, it does mean that a lower heel and more casual dress might be a better fit in the morning/early afternoon versus late afternoon or evening. Suppose you’re unsure how fancy the wedding will be. In that case, you can also consider the invitation: Kraft paper invitations typically indicate a more laid-back wedding. At the same time, many calligraphic elements suggest it is time to consider even the golden rule for being an appropriately dressed wedding guest. Look pulled together without standing out. After all, the bride is the one who’s supposed to stand out today!

Need to know what to wear to a Garden Wedding? Here are some suggestions.

Meet the author

Deborah Boland

Deborah Boland is the founder of Fabulous After 40 and a certified image consultant with decades of experience in fashion and personal styling. She brings a modern, refined perspective to getting dressed — helping women look polished, confident, and effortlessly modern.

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