Beach Wedding Dresses for Guests

A beautiful summer day, with clear blue sky above your head, soft white sand beneath your toes, a bunch of coconut trees swaying in the gentle breeze, and the ever-so-pleasing sight of sea waves rising and falling rhythmically in front of you... Aah, what a fantastic and picturesque setting for a wedding, isn't it? It sure is. No wonder then, that come summertime, and the number of beach weddings happening all around us simply skyrockets, like the stock market once used to. Well, beach weddings are no longer a novel concept as such; in fact, it is becoming increasingly popular with every change of tide! So, if you too have been invited as a guest for an upcoming beach wedding, I'm sure you must be thinking about what could be an appropriate dress to wear. Well, to help you out, here are some ideas regarding beach wedding dresses for guests.

Dresses for Guests at Beach Weddings

When it comes to selecting possible guest beach wedding dresses, there are a few points that should be considered well in advance:

• Season, i.e. whether it is summer or winter.
• Time, i.e. whether it is a daytime wedding or an evening wedding.
• Specified wedding theme, if any.
• Level of formality mentioned in the wedding invitation.

Usually, most beach weddings are held in summer, with a few exceptions. Secondly, the timing of the wedding ceremony is an important factor to be considered, while selecting dresses for guests at a beach wedding. The dress options that you can have, in case of a morning wedding or a noon wedding, can vary from those in case of an evening wedding. Also, the specified level of formality, in terms of attire, is the most important factor to keep in mind while zeroing in on your choice of dress. Keeping all these points in mind, here are a few beach wedding dress ideas for guests.

Beach Wedding Dresses for Guests - Men

First and foremost, you should get out of your conventional formal 'black tie' three-piece suit mode; unless of course, that is what has been explicitly mentioned in the wedding invitation. If the wedding theme has been described as completely casual, then you can have no qualms whatsoever about going to the wedding wearing nothing but a straw hat, an unbuttoned Hula shirt, a pair of khaki shorts, and a pair of flip-flops. However, this is the type of attire that you should think of, only if the wedding invitation strictly mentions Hawaiian attire or beach attire, etc. Evening beach weddings tend to be more towards the formal side. In this case, opt for the traditional black tie attire, but only if it has been mentioned in the invitation. Or else, a crisp shirt paired with a smart evening jacket and a pair of formal trousers will do just fine. If it happens to be a daytime wedding, then you can afford to be a little more casual. Opt for light-colored linen pants and loose-fitting open necked cotton shirts. Another combination could be casual trousers teamed with a golf shirt and a sports jacket. Avoid dark colors and tight-fitting shirts, as they will only make you sweat that much more. A loose-fitting, untucked shirt in a pastel shade, is your best bet in such situations.

Beach Wedding Dresses for Guests - Women

Women also need to be a little careful about what they wear to a beach wedding. Avoid the regular cocktail dress or the formal evening gown, unless the situation specifically demands one. Possibly, the only scenario in which you may need to wear one is if it happens to be a sunset wedding, which is then immediately followed by a wedding reception party. In case of daytime weddings, you can opt for sleeveless or off-shoulder dresses that end just below the knees. Fabrics to keep in mind are linen, chiffon, georgette, cotton, etc., and the choice of color should preferably be on the lighter side, such as a sunny yellow, peach, mint, beige, cream, pink, or other pastel shades. A flowery, tea-length dress or a nice fresh sundress would be just perfect! If you're thinking of wearing a skirt though, please make sure that it is not a short, flowing one, or else the sea breeze might get you in a bit of trouble! With regard to jewelry, try to keep it minimal and in tune with both, the formality of the occasion and your dress. Select your footwear in such a way that walking on the sand will not pose a problem. You don't want to end up getting your high heels stuck in the wet sand, do you? Also, wear sunscreen and if possible, a wide-brimmed ladies hat. It will help in shielding your face from the sun's rays and will protect you from a sunburn.

These were a few suggestions regarding beach wedding dresses for guests. Here are a few more ideas for dresses for a summer wedding. I'm sure that they will give you something to think upon, in terms of what to wear to a beach wedding.