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Beach Wedding Attire for Guests: A Guide to Finding the Perfect Attire for Coastal Nuptials

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Explore a comprehensive collection of beach wedding attire for guests, from casual beach dresses to formal gowns.

emilyperry

Introduction to Beach Wedding Attire for Guests

We love beach and destination weddings! And we love them for the wedding couple, we love them for the built in scenery and we especially love them for the wedding guests.  When picking your OOTD for a beach wedding there are so many options when it comes to beach wedding attire for guests.

Selecting the Perfect Beach Wedding Attire

The key to picking the perfect beach wedding attire is to know ahead of time where the wedding will be, the dress code and what the weather may be during the ceremony or reception.  If the wedding is held at a resort next to the ocean or on the actual beach that may dictate your beach wedding guest attire. If the invitation doesn’t say, check with the bride or groom or scope our their  wedding website to see what is the dress code. Moreover, because it’s hard to really predict the weather, especially at the beach, make sure you bring a few options in case it gets breezy or even rainy.

Beach Wedding Attire Dress Codes: Formal to Casual

Sand, surf and sun. These are a recipe for a great day at the beach and for a wedding. However, sometimes those three don’t mix with traditional wedding attire. When considering what to wear to a beach wedding you usually fall into two groups of beach wedding attire: beach formal or beach casual. We gathered several dresses and shoes and purses for each type to help you complete your beach wedding outfit.

Casual Beach Wedding Attire

Beach casual or casual beach wedding attire can be defined by lots of lightweight fabrics for both men and women. Linen or cotton sun dresses work as great casual beach wedding dresses for guests. Likewise, you can also opt for bolder more tropical and floral prints paired with comfy sandals. Just make sure to leave your flip flops at home. However, check out some other shoe options that work!

Beach Wedding Attire: Breezy Maxi Dresses

Lightweight Maxi Dress

Lightweight Maxi Dress 

Baltic Born • $79

We love this tropical print beach wedding attire in a breezy lightweight rayon. You’ll feel comfortable to dance or stroll the surf with the kimono sleeve and elastic waist with a separate belt.


Floral Print Deep V Neck Ruffle Hem Dress

Floral Print Deep V Neck Ruffle Hem Dress

Shein • $37.49

It’s giving boho Barbie beach wedding attire vibes and we love it. It’s a perfect pattern for beach wedding guest attire. We love the detailing on the neckline and sleeves.


Womens Loose Dress With Pockets

Womens Loose Dress With Pockets 

Etsy • $65.88+

This simple linen dress with pockets is a great option for a beach casual wedding attire. Dress it up with jewelry or even a bejeweled headband to keep your hair looking good with the ocean breeze.


Beach Wedding Attire: Midi and Mini Dresses 

Print Off the Shoulder Smocked Midi Dress

Print Off the Shoulder Smocked Midi Dress

Azazie • $39

Get ready to sparkle and shine in this breathtaking Allport Green Floral Print Off-The-Shoulder Smocked Midi Dress! Perfect for beach wedding attire. You’ll make a statement and turn heads in this show-stopping dress – you’re sure to feel confident and beautiful all night long.


Cosmopolitan Midi Dress

Cosmopolitan Midi Dress

ShowMeYourMumu • $198

Take a twirl and turn heads in the Cosmopolitan Midi Dress. The v-neck bodice features a ruched front that flatters the bust while the adjustable belt cinches in the waist, and a smocked back gives the perfect fit.


Halter Neck Mini Dress

Halter Neck Mini Dress

Revolve • $82

This floral print halter neck with cutout is a cute way to amp up your beach wedding attire. You’ll stay cool and classy in this number.


Square Neck Puff Sleeve Babydoll Dress

Square Neck Puff Sleeve Babydoll Dress

Lulus • $25

Linen-like woven cotton, with a subtle tartan pattern stitched throughout, shapes a square neckline, a fitted bodice, and short puffy sleeves with elastic at the shoulders and ruffled cuffs. High, loosely-fitted waistband tops the flowy babydoll mini skirt.


Beach Wedding Attire: Sandals and Elevated Flip-flops

Rhinestone & Faux Pearl Decor Chunky Heeled Mule Sandals

Chunky Heeled Mule Sandals

Shein • $25.40

These chunky heeled mule sandals are perfect to pair with your beach casual wedding attire. The little sparkle is a nice way to add a little shine while staying comfy and low to the sand.


Women's Agree Sandal

Women’s Agree Sandal

Amazon

What shoes to wear to a beach wedding? These strappy sandals! Show off your fresh tan and pedicure with these shoes and wear them over and over after the wedding is over.


Womens Mina Flip-Flops

Womens Mina Flip-Flops

JCPenney • $59.99

A throwback with a twist, the Mina by Journee Collection. With crisscross straps and an inset block heel, you’ll have just the right amount of edge for your beach wedding attire.


Tru Comfort Foam Light Puff Flip Flops

Tru Comfort Foam Light Puff Flip Flops

Target • $34.99

These Ares sandals from Journee Collection will leave your feet feeling more comfortable than any other sandals you own with their Tru Comfort Foam insole. Their luxe vegan leather flip-flop style open square toe and light puff will make these the most stylish shoes in your closet instantly becoming a favorite.


Formal Beach Wedding Attire

Since, beach formal or beach cocktail attire is a little different than traditional formal wedding attire. For both men and women lighter colors are great for formal attire for beach wedding attire. Instead of the LBD or a dark or black suit for the men, pick softer pastel beachy colors. Furthermore, beach formal dresses need to be in breathable fabrics but you can play with the design to up the style factor. Don’t go too bold with a print but look for interesting silhouette to show off your personality. Lastly, remember that high heels and sand don’t really mix well so check out some other options that are fancy but also comfortable and when it comes to your beach wedding attire.

Formal Dresses: Silk, Chiffon, and Lace

Satin Floral Jacquard Maxi Dress

Satin Floral Jacquard Maxi Dress

Lulus • $35

Everyone will want to join you on the beach once they see how gracefully you move in the Lulus Lovely Admiration Lavender Satin Floral Jacquard Maxi Dress! This romance-ready dress is composed of luxe woven satin jacquard, with an embossed floral pattern throughout, that shapes a lightly gathered bodice, a surplice neckline, and fluttery, dolman-style short sleeves.


Garden Midi Dress

Garden Midi Dress

ShowMeYourMumu • $188

This tie strap pink midi dress is filled with charm! A fitted bodice complete with smocking for the perfect fit meets a fun midi skirt with side slit. An effortless midi dress for all your beach wedding events!


Chiffon Ruched Pastel Maxi Dress

Chiffon Ruched Pastel Maxi Dress

AW Bridal • $109.99

The AW Liza Dress is an elegant beach wedding outfit. Designed from glitter mesh, this square-neckline dress with moderately puffy shoulders and straight elbow-length arms is styled to provide a fine blend of the modern and classic look.


A-Line Pleated Chiffon Floor-Length Dress

A-Line Pleated Chiffon Floor-Length Dress

Azazie • $79

This gown is a gorgeous fit and flare mermaid silhouette cut in chiffon. This stunning dress features a plunging V-neckline bodice with pleats and an alluring open back with tie detail.


Puff Sleeve Ruffle Hem Lace Formal Dress

Puff Sleeve Ruffle Hem Lace Formal Dress

Shein • $31.49

This pastel yellow is a great option for beach cocktail attire. It’s dressy and elegant in lace but fun and flirty with the puff sleeve and ruffle hem. Perfect beach wedding attire.


Monroe Lace Dress

Monroe Lace Dress

Baltic Born • $139

This boho lace dress is asking for a beach backdrop. You’ll dance the night away in this dress feeling confident appropriately dressed for a formal beach wedding.


Gowns: Satin, Cutouts, and Tiered Skirt Designs

Cap Sleeve Satin Slit Gown

Cap Sleeve Satin Slit Gown 

Birdy Grey • $49

You’ll look like a liquid metal goddess in this satin slit gown beach wedding outfit. The empire waist and cap sleeves will keep you cool and comfortable if your opt for this beach wedding attire.


Jacquard One-Shoulder Maxi Dress

Jacquard One-Shoulder Maxi Dress 

Lulus • $109

The Lulus Exquisite Elegance Blue Jacquard One-Shoulder Maxi Dress is here to sweep you off your feet! This gorgeous gown is composed of woven jacquard fabric, with a grey floral print throughout, that shapes a darted bodice and a one-shoulder neckline, supported by a pleated, wide tank strap.


Floral Print Cutout Gown

Floral Print Cutout Gown

Bloomingdale’s • $178.80

This is the perfect beach wedding outfit or destination wedding guest dress. The cutouts on the back and side keep you cool and the knife pleat skirt and cascading vertical ruffles add dimension and texture to this gorgeous gown.


One Shoulder Cutout Dress

One Shoulder Cutout Dress

Showpo • $69.95

It’s not a two piece beach wedding outfit, it’s one dress with a stunning cutout. Show off your tan but still look classy in this beige floral print dress. This is sexy and ideal beach wedding attire.


Sleeveless Tiered Midi Dress

Sleeveless Tiered Midi Dress 

Lulus • $86

Any event will feel like a celebration when you’re in the Lulus Celebration Time Lime Green Sleeveless Tiered Midi Dress! Woven chiffon shapes this chic dress that has wide straps, a V-neckline (and back), and a fitted bodice.


Butterfly Sleeve Layered Hem Floral Dress

Butterfly Sleeve Layered Hem Floral Dress 

Shein • $18.70

The layered hem on this dress is what makes it perfect for a formal beach wedding. You’ll look classy in this soft ocean blue floral print.


Beach Wedding Attire Accessories: Wedges, Clutches, Jewelry

Ankle Wrap Wedge Sandal

Espadrilles Tie Up Ankle Strap Wedges 

Target • $54.99

With a formal beach wedding, take it up notch with wedges. You still can be comfortable on the sand with these espadrilles in your beach wedding attire.


Ankle Wrap Wedge Sandal

Ankle Wrap Wedge Sandal 

Nordstrom • $49.97

A jute-wrapped wedge grounds this breezy square-toed sandal topped with a crisscross of soft leather straps secured around the ankle by a decorative buckle.


Palm Leaf Rounded Clutch

Palm Leaf Rounded Clutch 

Mark and Graham • $49

Woven from natural palm leaf that adds the perfect beachy look to any beach wedding outfit. The monogram adds to that touch of formality to your beach wedding attire.


Yellow Floral Beaded Clutch

Yellow Floral Beaded Clutch 

Lulus • $15

This eye-catching, envelope-style clutch boasts a floral-inspired design composed of an array of shiny beaded details across the front. The magnetic closure opens to reveal a lined interior with a single sidewall pocket and plenty of room for all your necessary accessories!


Rose Petal Dangle Earrings

Rose Petal Dangle Earrings

Amazon

A dangle earring is always a good idea. These rose petal earrings remind of us of coral and we’re instantly transported to a beach wedding.


Gold Pendant Necklace 

Gold Pendant Necklace 

Kendra Scott • $55

A dainty stone and delicate metallic chain combine to create the Elisa Gold Pendant Necklace in Rose Quartz, your new favorite wear-anywhere accessory. This pendant necklace can be paired with any look, providing that extra touch of timeless style.


Want more beach wedding attire inspiration? Follow B$B on Pinterest! Join us in our community to talk all things wedding, beach wedding outfits and more!


emilyperry

Emily Perry is a freelance blogger, content manager, designer, and virtual assistant. Although her own wedding was over 10 years she loves talking about all things wedding especially when it comes to saving money and DIY!