Are you wondering what to wear to an upcoming beach wedding? We have selected the best beach wedding guest dresses for every dress code! You'll be able to create the perfect beach wedding guest outfit with one of these dresses. From casual sundresses for informal ceremonies to formal dresses for sophisticated beach club ceremonies, we've found a beach-wedding ready dress that is sure to be the perfect dress for your event. These picks are perfect to wear to a coastal wedding or tropical beach destination wedding as well.
Image credits and shopping sources: 1. Tropical Dreamsicle Off the Shoulder Dress from Sugarlips 2. Floral Lace Up Midi Dress from Lulus 3. Rainnova Maxi Dress in Navy from Hello Molly 4. Emmett Pleated Gown from Rent the Runway
What to Wear to a Beach Wedding
Beach weddings have many types of dress codes; from beach casual--where the simplest sundress will do-- to beach formal or beach chic, where a long rayon or chiffon formal gown or maxi dress with accessories might be the best look. Right now we're seeing lots of variety in the level of formality of all the different beach weddings in the warmer months so we're here to help you find the best seeing lots of other outdoor weddings, and destination weddings! In general, we think bright colors, fun prints, and upscale resort wear are great aesthetics to consider when searching for the perfect beach wedding guest dress.
Shop Beach Wedding Guest Dresses
These are our current finds of over 70 of the best dresses for beach weddings. These also are perfect for a summer wedding, spring wedding, vacations, and honeymoon outfits.
Tips For Beach Wedding Attire and Dress Codes
No matter how formal the wedding is, beach wedding dressing often will have a slightly more relaxed style. Often beach weddings kick off the wedding season, with many invites for destination weddings going out during the winter months.
For daytime weddings, beach wedding guest attire can be light pants and shirts, cute beachy sundresses in pretty cotton prints and colors, floaty chiffons, and pretty printed dresses in tropical and bright vibrant colors. For more formal beach weddings that might be held inside a beach resort or club after a beachside ceremony, long dresses can be a great choice. We always think a flowy maxi dress, or formal gowns in breathable fabrics is a great look.
Here are a few of this season's best dresses for beach weddings. These styles were made for wearing near sand and sea! We've picked these dresses for beach wedding guests to show you from our top retail partners.
While we showed some strappy-heeled sandals in this outfit idea, if you'll be on soft sand, bare feet or flip-flops are the best choice. If you need shoes, wedges can be a good choice if you won't be on soft sand, otherwise, check out our picks for beach wedding shoes and sandals!
Where to Find Beach Wedding Guest Dresses
We've found some great beach looks from these shops and retailers and labels that carry styles that are full of coastal style! You might also like these ideas for tropical wedding style.
- Lilly Pulitzer brand is known for polished beach club chic styles. These bright prints and pretty dresses are always a perfect choice for when the celebration is near the coast or beach.
- Lulus has easy-to-wear short co*cktail dresses and long maxi dresses galore! These dresses look great on vacation, on your honeymoon, or for attending a wedding on the sand. Best of all most styles are under $100.
- Tommy Bahama is the quintessential beachwear. They have great options for men and women especially button-down shirts and line pants for men, and beach dresses for women that will work for beach casual wedding attire.
- Eliza J the Eliza J brand, available at Nordstrom, always releases some stunning maxi dresses in floral prints that are perfect for a formal beach wedding.
- Show Me Your Mumu is known for laid-back, boho beach-style dresses for all of life's special occasions. They have great options for beach weddings from guest dresses to bridesmaid dress styles.
- Sugarlips is a new brand to us, but they offer so many bright floral tropical print styles. The long maxi dresses, off the shoulder styles and short sleeve dresses are reasonably priced with most under $100. So many great options for beach weddings, honeymoons and vacation outfits.
- Hello Molly is an Australian brand, so of course they know how to help you dress stylishly and with a beachy vibe. We love their selection of co*cktail dresses from fitted midi dresses to strapless and spaghetti strap styles with shorter hemlines.
- Farm Rio is known for bright and bold prints. They offer tons of styles that will pair with everything from high heels to flat sandals.
Top Beach Wedding Guest Picks for 2024
Here are a few of the dresses we think are great picks to wear in the 2024 season.
Blue Floral Hi Low Dress
This floral high-low style is in a classic blue floral pattern. The high low hem makes it ideal for navigating sandy terrain while still looking appropriately stylish. Dress is from Eliza J at Nordstrom.
Coral Floral Dress
This dress is by Hutch. Its bold coral color and tropical print makes it perfect for a beach wedding guest look. This Hutch dress is available at Nordstrom.
Printed Jumpsuit
A dressy printed jumpsuit in a tropical print can make the perfect alternative to a dress for a beach wedding guest. Solana jumpsuit from Rent the Runway.
Cutout Midi Dress
This one-shoulder midi style comes in a colorful tropical color palette and has a cute side cutout. Perfect for a semi-formal wedding at a hip beach resort. Leighton Dress from Petal + Pup.
Tropical Print Spaghetti Strap Sundress
An elevated sundress like this one from Farm Rio is a great choice for a laid-back casual beach wedding. The Kiss Sleeveless Midi Dress from Farm Rio.
Pleated Midi Dress
A brightly colored breezy pleated midi dress is a perfect choice to wear for your next warm-weather beach wedding invite. Blythe Midi Dress from Astr the Label.
Beach Caftan Style Long Sleeve Dress
The beach can be breezy, which is why sometimes you might want a long sleeve maxi style dress. This caftan style in a delicious print is a great choice to wear for your friend's big day. Pink Leopards Maxi Dress from Rent the Runway.
How to Style a Beach Wedding Guest Outfit
Here's one idea for a beach wedding guest outfit. Here we're pairing a floral wedding guest dress with the perfect accessories for a beach wedding outfit. Adding hoops, neutral accessories, and beach-inspired rattan clutch is a great way to dress up, while keeping it beachy.
Shopping and image sources: Dress: ASTR the Label Santorini Dress in Navy Blue Floral from Revolve.com | Earrings:Vanessa Mooney The Interlocking Hoop Earrings in Gold from Revolve.com Bracelet: Kendra Scott Davie Cuff Bracelet in Gold Dichroic Glass from Revolve.com | Clutch: KAYU Cassia Clutch in Gold from Revolve.com |Shoes: Steve Madden Lori Kitten Heel Sandal in Tan Lizard from Revolve.com
Find More Beach Wedding Style Ideas
You might also want to check out dressy casual dresses for outdoor weddings, Wedding guest dresses for spring weddings or our picks for Maxi Dresses for Wedding Guests. Floral wedding guest dresses are also always a great choice when
Check out these collage posts, if you need some ideas for how to accessorize your beach wedding outfits.
If you're planning a beach wedding, or are in one yourself, you'll also want to see our posts about beach sandals for weddings, wedding dresses for beach weddings, beach bridesmaid dresses, and mother of the bride dresses for beach weddings.
You can also shop all the rest of our wedding guest dresses by color! Here are some hot hues for beach weddings.
Red Dresses Pink Dresses Coral and Orange Dresses Yellow Dresses
Green Dresses Light Blue Dresses Purple Dresses
This article was originally published in April 2016, and updated most recently in February 2024.
