What to Wear to a Summer Wedding

Whether you’re attending a garden ceremony or an elegant ballroom affair, I’ve put together a few outfit ideas that will have you looking fabulous at every summer wedding on your calendar, no matter the venue or the dress code.

DRESSY-CASUAL WEDDING GUEST DRESSES

For a wedding taking place during the daytime or at a more casual venue, the goal is to look nice without being too formal. I usually choose a dress that I’d wear to dinner at a fancy restaurant. You can even pull a dress from your closet that you’d wear to church or the office. If you’re shopping for a new dress, opt for a knee-length or midi dress. I usually go for brighter colors, floral prints, or playful patterns in the summertime, but you can never go wrong with a classic navy.

When it comes to accessories, go for a small crossbody or clutch with shiny hardware. Select jewelry that’s a bit dressier than your everyday pieces, but not too extravagant. It’s always important to consider the location when choosing your shoes. For example, stiletto heels might not be the best choice for a wedding on a lawn. A low block heel or a wedge will give you extra stability on the grass and on the dance floor.

SEMI-FORMAL/COCKTAIL DRESSES FOR A SUMMER WEDDING

Semi-formal events call for something dressier than you’d typically wear for church or the office. When you’re shopping for cocktail attire, you’re basically looking for a formal dress with a shorter hemline. They typically will have a dramatic detail or some sparkle and shine, like the flower embellishment on this sheath dress.

Accessories play a big role in pulling the whole look together. I usually go for statement earrings or bracelet to add a bit of sparkle without going overboard. Metallics are still trending, so a silver or gold shoe and matching clutch are the perfect finishing touches.

FORMAL/BLACK TIE WEDDING GUEST DRESSES FOR SPRING

Raise your hand if you’ve opened an invitation to a black tie or black tie optional wedding and had a panic attack. For most of us, black tie events are as fancy as it gets, though technically, white tie is even fancier than black tie. White tie means ball gowns are required, while black tie is a bit more flexible. When you see black tie printed on the invite, don’t panic! This simply means you need to start shopping for a floor-length gown.

If it says black tie optional, you have a bit more freedom to choose. You’re welcome to wear a floor-length gown to a black tie optional wedding, but it’s not required. If you decide on a shorter dress, make sure it’s a fancier cocktail dress. If in doubt, ask around to see what others are wearing.

For a summer wedding, I like to wear lighter weight fabrics like chiffon, and I generally stay away from heavily beaded gowns or anything velvet. Prints tend to look less formal, so I usually look for solids, but it just depends on the fabric and the style of the dress. Lighter or brighter colors look more summery, but black or navy are always options, if that’s more your style. Just never wear white or off-white, unless requested by the bride.

Don’t overlook your accessories when putting together a formal wedding outfit. Even in the summer, it’s nice to have a wrap in case it gets cold in the evening. An evening bag is a must for a formal wedding, and then just add sparkly jewelry to complete the ensemble.

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