The Best Beach Wedding Guest Dresses

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Beach Wedding Dress Code Defined: What to Wear to a Beach Wedding as a Guest

If you’ve read our complete guide to wedding guest dress codes, you’ll know that receiving an invitation to a wedding doesn’t necessarily mean you can re-wear and rotate the one trusty wedding guest dress sitting in the back of your wardrobe. Paying attention to any dress code or theme is essential as a guest. Beyond factoring in things like location, venue, and the season - all of which will naturally influence your outfit choice - the couple may have their wishes for how they want their guests to look for cohesion across the day. Whether there’s a full-blown theme or something more subtle like a colour palette for the aesthetic couples, you might have to spend more time mulling over your wardrobe choice than usual.

One of the dress codes you might come into contact with is the beach wedding guest dress code. With destination weddings becoming increasingly popular all year round, beach weddings have a unique vibe and dress code to abide by. Whether you’re hitting up somewhere tropical and warm or a windy bay in a UK coastal town like Cornwall or Devon - we’re big fans of beach weddings. But what do you wear to a beach wedding we hear you asking? Well, that’s what we’re here for.

Whether your priority is keeping cool or serving a look everyone will remember, you can have it all when you shop from our 26 favourite beach wedding guest dresses. You’ll find everything from floaty floral numbers to elegant satin gowns, gorgeous ruffles and a splash of glitz and glamour. After all - even if it’s on the beach, it’s still a wedding celebration! 
 

The 26 Best Beach Wedding Guest Dresses for Nailing the Perfect Coastal Dress Code

Beach Wedding Guest Dress Code FAQs

Attending a wedding with a beachy dress code with no idea what to wear? We’re here to help you decode the beach wedding dress code to help you find your perfect coastal fit. From what to wear as a guest to beach-proof fabrics, coastal colours and formality - we’ve answered all your burning questions. 

What to wear as a guest for a beach wedding?

There are a few things to consider when shopping for your dream beach wedding guest dress. While the dress code and couples’ specific wishes should always be your priority, as long as you find an outfit that fits within the right vibe, what’s most important is that it makes you feel amazing. Even with a dress code, you can find a dress that feels right. Weddings are long days, so being comfortable and confident in what you’ve selected is essential. But beyond style, let’s talk functionality. With beach weddings, the climate and terrain are different from that of a barn, church or country house venue - so naturally, you’ve got to consider this.

Popular beach wedding guest dresses are typically flowy maxi (although beware of wet sandy hems) or midi dresses for a relaxed yet elegant look that moves beautifully in the coastal wind. You’ll want to think about shoes, too! Sandals, espadrilles, or wedges are perfect for navigating sand and uneven terrain. Avoid stilettos, as they can sink into the sand.

And if the term beach wedding guest dresses is throwing you, you could always browse our edit of the best summer wedding guest dresses for some inspo!
 

What is the best fabric for a beach wedding guest dress?

Whether the beach wedding is helping you escape the UK winter or you’re jetting off to somewhere more tropical for a summer destination wedding, temperatures will likely be higher. To combat the climate, opt for breezy fabrics with lightweight and breathable qualities like cotton, linen, chiffon, or silk that keep you cool in the sun and comfortable in the breeze. While, yes, dresses are the main event, and you might be in a more tropical location - but it’s important not to forget about the evenings. You might want to consider bringing a light jacket or cover-up for cooler evening temperatures by the water depending on the location. 

What colour is best for beach wedding guest dresses?

Remember, once again, the wedding invitation and theme will help you decide on what colour to wear - but if no particular palette is mentioned, you’re free to choose a hue that complements you perfectly. To suit the beachy environment, we recommend light, airy colours like pastels, soft blues, or floral or tropical prints that amp up the coastal vibes. The best thing about light colours is that they help you keep you cooler in case of hot weather, too! 

Based on some of the best beach wedding guest dresses we’ve selected for our edit, lilac, pink, sage green and orange are popular choices! Don’t shy away from some print, ruffles and one-shoulder silhouettes for a look bang on trend. 

How formal are beach weddings?

Typically, beach wedding guest dress codes are less formal than black tie and cocktail weddings. Beach weddings are all about embracing the easy breezy vibe attached to a coastal setting, surrounded by nature. You’ll find lots of flowy maxi and midi dresses and an abundance of linen - and maybe even a barefoot vibe - definitely no stilettos. Of course, it’s essential to check with the couple! Less formal doesn’t mean completely casual, either. It’s important to acknowledge that weddings are the ultimate special occasion, so naturally, you’ll still want to feel all dressed up. For a complete rundown of all wedding attire options that might come through the post, head to our full guide to wedding guest dress codes.