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What to Wear to a Summer Wedding

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Summer weddings can be tricky to dress for due to heat and humidity. Check out this advice to help you decide what to wear to a summer wedding.

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As a wedding guest, it can be challenging to decide what to wear to a nuptial celebration. There are various factors to think about when you are trying to make your decision. From the formality of the event to the weather, to the location– each of these can be used to help you determine what to wear to a wedding in any season! If you’re on the hunt for affordable wedding guest attire to wear to a summer wedding, you’ll love this roundup of savvy options!

Choosing What to Wear to a Summer Wedding

Deciding what to wear to a summer wedding shouldn’t stress you out. To make it simpler, we’ve rounded up some inspirational summery outfit ideas for you to check out. If you click on an image, it will take you directly to the site where you can purchase the item! (You’re welcome!) See the image carousels below for dozens of gorgeous dress options that are perfect to wear to a summer wedding soiree.

Keep Summer Weather in Mind

First of all, you’ll definitely want to keep the weather in mind. Choose something that will keep you cool and comfortable without sacrificing style. Summer weather varies depending on the region you are in, so keep the temperature in mind. If you’re attending a summer wedding in an area that is very hot and humid, the wedding will likely take place indoors. Be sure to consider the heat when deciding what to wear to a summer wedding– no one wants to feel like a hot, sweaty mess!

Consider the Formality of the Event

When deciding what to wear to a summer wedding, you’ll also want to consider the formality of the event. For a black-tie wedding, you could easily choose a floor-length dress in a brightly-colored hue. If the wedding is more laid-back or casual in nature like a backyard microwedding, you could choose a flowy sundress that will keep you cool. If the bride is wearing a ballgown as her wedding dress, wearing a boho breezy strappy dress would be inappropriate. On the flip side, don’t wear a beaded or sequinned gown to a more casual reception.

Check in with the Couple

It never hurts to connect with the couple to ask for guidance, but be sure to check out their wedding website before pestering them with already answered questions. One thing you may want specific knowledge about is the bridesmaids’ dress color and styles. Ask the couple for a heads up about what the bridal party will be wearing in order to avoid a copycat situation. It’s great to be complementary, but you don’t want to look like a clone.

Accessorize Appropriately

No matter what season the wedding is in, choosing the right accessories will help complete your look. In summertime weddings, you likely won’t need anything to keep you warm, but depending on the location of the wedding you may want to be cognizant of the terrain when choosing your shoes. You’ll need to pick appropriate footwear to navigate the lawn of an outdoor wedding, so selecting the proper accessories will ensure your comfort no matter the season.

Colors to Wear to a Summer Wedding

Another thing to consider when choosing what to wear to a summer wedding is the color palette. Often, couples will incorporate their color scheme into their wedding invitations so be sure to look closely at it for any clues as to what the dress code might be as well as any possible color palette. Popular colors to wear to a summer wedding are bright and bold hues like yellow, fuschia, peach, turquoise, red, etc.

As always, under no circumstances should you wear white to a wedding as a guest unless you are explicitly asked to do so. It’s not your day, lady.

Floral or Patterned Dresses

Tropical Styles for Destination Weddings


Fabrics to Wear to a Summer Wedding

Your fabric choice for a summer wedding outfit depends on the temperature and formality. Options such as chiffon, linen, silk, polyester, lace, or even cotton are popular for summer weddings, as they offer breathability and comfort. Airy styles are super popular for summer soirees!

Obviously, because of the heat, your dress silhouette might be a little skimpier than in other seasons, depending on the setting. Keep necklines classy and somewhat modest, and don’t show too much skin. This is a wedding after all– you should never dress in a way to pull any focus from the couple’s big day. Keep an eye on dress length and avoid truly backless styles unless it’s an outdoor, tropical event.

Whimsical Wrap Dresses

You may not want to wear a dress with sleeves, but many wrap dresses offer great arm coverage without being overly hot or clingy. Wrap dresses for the win!


What to Wear to a Formal Summer Wedding

If you’re invited to a formal or semi-formal wedding in the summer time, you’ll likely want to choose a long dress or gown. Browse some of the options below for long, formal dresses for a summer wedding!

Formal Dresses for Black Tie Events in Summer


If you’re still having trouble deciding what to wear to a winter wedding, be sure to visit Pinterest where we are pinning winter wedding inspiration, outfit ideas, and more! 

On a budget for your winter wedding outfit? Try using Rent the Runway to rent a gorgeous dress and even a fabulous winter coat for a fraction of the cost of buying new!


Great Sources for Affordable Wedding Guest Attire

Check out these favorite shops to peruse for a wedding guest dress:


What to Wear to a Wedding by Season:

Check out our other guides to wedding attire style for every season by visiting the links below!


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Summer weddings can be tricky to dress for due to heat and humidity. Check out this advice to help you decide what to wear to a summer wedding.
Summer weddings can be tricky to dress for due to heat and humidity. Check out this advice to help you decide what to wear to a summer wedding.
Summer weddings can be tricky to dress for due to heat and humidity. Check out this advice to help you decide what to wear to a summer wedding.

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