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We’re totally jealous that you have a beach wedding in your travel plans this summer, and if you’re stuck on what you’re going to wear at the seaside ceremony, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Beach wedding guest dresses come in a range of styles, from fitted mini dresses to ruffled maxis, so it’s all about your personal preference.
Amberly Reese is an expert stylist at Stitch Fix She’s involved in assisting shoppers customize their wardrobe picks to align with their styles and what will complement their body.
There's not a definitive checklist of musts for what to wear to a beach wedding, but guidelines sure do help. Beach weddings typically have a light, airy and bohemian essence to them, but that doesn’t mean glamorous, black tie-esque options are excluded.
Most couples declare a dress code for their special day to guide you to the right style selections. While neutrals are always a hit, and a top ask from clients for Stitch Fix stylist Amberly Reese, you have other options, too. "Maximalism—a mashup of saturated shades and bold prints—is our clients’ second-favorite trend for the year, according to the 2023 Style Forecast," she says. Brands like Amanda Uprichard, Farm Rio, boutique brands from Anthropologie and even Reformation have gorgeous vibrant pattern and color options.
Where material is concerned, linen is a great choice for more casual nuptials but it isn't always the dressiest of options. "When thinking about destination and beach weddings, you’ll see the Beachcomber trend in full force! Beachcomber—a blend of tropical prints and breezy fabrics as a take on 'Vacationcore' (a TikTok fashion term our clients identified as the trend of the year in 2022!)—brings the vacation-wear aesthetic into the day-to-day wardrobe," continues Reese.
For a fancier beach wedding, a satin or chiffon dress may suit the occasion better. The length you decide on is definitely more of a personal choice, so if you feel the most beautiful in a mini dress, by all means go with a mini dress, it will definitely keep you the coolest.
Stay away from heavier fabrics and overly layered silhouettes to ensure you're staying cool all night long—and looking seasonally stylish. Reese also recommends picking something your body feels comfortable in. "I always recommend my clients choose a dress they can dance and move freely in—silhouettes that are too tight, short or restricting should be avoided to ensure you’re able to have fun and not worry about what you have on," she tells us. While we recommend maybe steering clear of deep, dark jewel tones, there are a few exceptions here. If you're going to pick a dark green dress, for example, maybe opt for a high slit or spaghetti straps to offset the wintery hue. A burgundy dress may give you a fall vibe, but if that's your color, grab a dress with a floral pattern and airy fabrics to give it that beachy feel.
When it comes to picking our top choices for the best beach wedding guest dresses, we focused on the fashion rules for the seasonal and venue style. The beach is typically a warm yet breezy setting with airy, tropical vibes. This means the most important aspects in a dress to consider are the fabrics and colors. The dresses ahead are top sellers or ones that embody the stylistic guidelines we previously stated. We also like to stick with brands we know and love, and can attest to the high-quality of the products.
Here, our top 23 choices for beach wedding guest dresses. And one more pro tip: Don’t stress over the shoes. Your toes will be in the sand anyway.
This dress may be black, but the feminine ruffles will mimic the look of the waves for a beachier feel. The ruffles have an asymmetrical alignment for a more unique look, too. This one-shoulder option is available in black, white and red as well as standard, petite and plus sizes. The dress is cotton and has a rayon lining, which makes it lightweight and breathable.
Made of a buttery soft satin charmeuse, this dress would be a supremely comfortable choice for a long day celebrating the happy couple. It has an asymmetrical neckline decorated with a pretty white bow, and the white and navy gives it a sleek nautical vibe perfect for a beachside wedding.
Looking for a unique take on a wedding guest dress? We're used to seeing bubble detailing at the bottom of skirts and dresses, but this one bubbles at the chest. It falls about 39-inches from the bust and the back has a slit to make walking and dancing easier. You can get this dress in black or aqua, but of course, we recommend the blue for the seaside effect.
If your style is a little more on the boho side, you're going to love this dress. It has a sundress vibe, so it's a great pick for wedding that has a more casual dress code. It has a button-up closure and you can make the slit as high or low as you'd like. Plus, the back is open and has a tie for a more customizable fit. It's made of 100 percent cotton so it's nice and breathable for a night on the beach.
We're truly head over heels for this dreamy green shade. The criss-cross neckline with the keyhole opening is very classy and the open back is gorgeous to highlight your summer glow. The glossy material is partially lined and has a side seam slit so you can show off your legs, too. Reviewers say it's super lightweight and breathable, so even if you're baking in the sun during the ceremony, at least you're not sweating in a suit like the guys.
If you're looking for a little more coverage, this dress offers plenty of fabric on the sleeves and skirt. This style can definitely fit in during any season or for any wedding, so you can rewear it for your friend's fall barn wedding without feeling out of place. The lightweight chiffon will catch the ocean breeze beautifully and it comes in three colors.
We love this cute mini dress for a tropical wedding. It has a sleek exotic pattern and the tie neck would pair nicely with a beachy hair style. The asymmetrical hemline is pretty short, so if that makes you nervous, you may want to opt for a slip or shapewear underneath. It's unlined, which means the dress won't be super supportive, but the pattern will help keep from anything looking see through.
This flirty, high-low style has a bubble hem, which adds some fun dimension to the silhouette. The back has a smocked panel to give you some extra stretch and an opening underneath to show a little extra skin. It comes in five colors and is made of a lightweight cotton for a comfortable option during a hot day. If you have a larger chest and need a little more support, you can tighten the adjustable straps for additional security.
A simple slip dress is a great pick for a summer or beachy wedding. The minimalist silhouette won't feel heavy on your body as you dance the night away and it's not form fitting so you can leave some room for your food baby after dinner and dessert. Plus, we love the dreamy light pink shade, too.
Linen is the best lightweight fabric choice to keep you cooled off on the sunny beach. This style has beads on the straps to add a little detail to the drawstring-link neckline. The straps continue into a criss-cross pattern on the back and the skirt is pretty straight, so you may not be able to easily drop it like it's hot.
A dreamy maxi gown with a high slit is a wonderful choice for a beachy setting. "[I] love the material and the length," reports one customer. "The dress is simple but the slit adds so much to it [and] the color is exactly what I was looking for and I'm obsessed!" The light fabric will catch the sea breeze while the A-line silhouette keeps you comfortable while you dance the night away. A few customers mention that the dress can run a bit on the smaller side, so make sure you consult the size chart before you add to cart.
We love this ultra-feminine option with ruffled tiers and straps. The midi length is great if you don’t want the bottom of your dress to hit the sand. It has a high slit so you'll be able to comfortably move and groove all night long. "The fabric is thick so it holds everything in like shape wear, but comfy at the same time," says one customer. Plus, it's available in ten gorgeous colors. Customers say it runs a smidge tight, so refer to the size guide before you buy.
A buttery soft silk dress screams luxury. This gorgeous style has a fitted bodice with stretch smocking in the back so it doesn’t squeeze you too tight, and adjustable tie straps for customizable length. If you have a larger chest, this dress may not be the best for you since the cups are so defined, but consulting the size chart is never a bad idea. It’s available in six colorways, all of which are beautiful choices.
A short, skater silhouette will fit a more dressed down wedding, and we love this pick for its detailed pattern, breezy chiffon material and low back. A few reviewers mention it can fit a little big in the chest if you have smaller breasts, but one suggests double-sided tape does the trick to keep you feeling secure. You can choose between the shades rose pink and dusty blue.
This stunner has more than 7,900 five-star ratings on Amazon, and we’re obsessed with the basic silhouette and satin material. "The cowl neck is super cute—make sure to tighten straps all the way for the full effect," mentions one customer. She goes on to say that she didn't need to wear a bra when she tightened the straps correctly. Another reviewer says it washes well, too. You can choose between 23 different colors and patterns, and customers mention it runs a bit small, so grab a size up.
Are you as in love with this draped mock neckline as we are? This cocktail dress has an asymmetrical length and an open back to keep you cool in the humid beach temps. It has a halter closure around the neck and the ruched detailing on the side is super flattering. While we’re partial to the green, you can also grab this one in red or black.
Headed to a tropical location for your bestie’s nuptials? We recommend a dress like this maxi. We love that the high slit is decorated with a ruffled hemline, and reviewers mention they're wearing this for tons of occasions from summer weddings to graduations. Most customers say this one fits true to size, too, so grab your go-to size in dresses. Full of beautiful colors and flower prints, this fun option is destined to see a beachy sunset and a sandy dance floor.
Keep the seaside theme by going with something elegant but light. This satin dress has a simple silhouette with a mid-thigh slit and that’s all it really needs to look formal and beachy. The waist is fitted and flares out into a flowy skirt for a twirl-worthy look on the dance floor. Reviewers mention it runs on the smaller side, so you may want to opt for a size bigger than your usual. It's available in a fun range of colors, but we recommend the lavender, sage or slate blue shades.
A satin dress for a wedding is a go-to for us. We love the square neck and bow details around the shoulder straps and waist for a bit of femininity. The chest has darted cups to add a little structure to the bodice, but the fun skirt is separated by that adorable tie waist. The side slit is great for showing a little leg, but we like it for the extra room when we drop it low on the dance floor. We hope you're decisive, because this dress comes in a whopping 29 color options.
You can never go wrong with a classic LBD. This fitted option has one shoulder strap and subtle ruching along the midsection that will hug your curves for a flattering fit. If you're headed to a classy black-tie beach wedding, this one can easily be accessorized with a bold colorful heel or pair of earrings to add an unexpected pop to your look. The shoulder strap has a second strap that connects on the back to make sure your chest is supported all night long, too.
The halter tie on this dress drapes into a long bow for a little drama. The bold hue will highlight your tan and you’ll have room for an extra piece of cake thanks to the looser silhouette. The crepe fabric is lightweight, so if the reception is also on the beach, you'll stay cool throughout the event. Grab this one in pink or a bold blue hue.
A flouncy strapless number will have you twirling all night. This Lulus pick has a chiffon jacquard floral pattern that gives it a luxurious vibe, and the bodice’s top layer is so adorable for a beachy, breezy wedding. It comes in five colors, and reviewers recommend going up a size, because the chest fits pretty narrowly. The chiffon is nice and breathable, too, so you won't be sweating in the sun during the ceremony.
A pale blue is stunning at sea or on land. This asymmetrical dress has ruching from top to bottom to accentuate your shape, plus spandex blended into the polyester to give the dress some stretch and sculpting. While it's only available in this blue shade, we couldn't have chosen a better hue for a seaside wedding. Plus, it will show off that tan you've developed if you arrived a couple days early.
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