While summer heat may have you in a more relaxed state of mind, summer wedding attire still has more formality than the average day.  Pivotal factors such as the location, venue, and dress code all indicate exactly what you should wear.  It’s always good practice to check the couple’s wedding website for dress code details.  However, if you are still a bit perplexed, check out photos of the venue for a better understanding of what the atmosphere is.

Formal Summer Wedding Attire

Formal summer wedding attire can include both white tie and black tie dress codes. Generally, a well-tailored tuxedo or glamorous long gown in material like chiffon or crepe are perfect choices.  However, the term “formal attire” can also mean a dress code that’s slightly less formal than black tie or even black tie optional. This means that a tuxedo or floor-length gown might not be required, but the event is still formal enough for one to be appropriate. When in doubt, always choose the more formal option.

Beach Formal Summer Wedding Attire

Selecting what to wear to a summer wedding at the beach or a seaside venue comes with even more factors to consider. Choose garments made of breathable fabrics and accessories like flat sandals, sturdy block heels, or boat shoes that will be suitable to warm weather and uneven terrain. This summer wedding attire presents a world of possibilities when it comes to prints: palm patterns, color blocking, and oversized florals are all ideal elements of beach formal summer wedding attire.

Cocktail & Semi-Formal Summer Wedding Attire

Depending on the time of day, you’ll want to dress somewhere between formal and casual for a semi-formal summer wedding. For an evening soiree, wear darker, more formal hues.  Light colors and fabrics are appropriate for daytime nuptials. Note that semi-formal still has the word “formal” in the description, so you’ll still want to look elegant. Breezy midi dresses and suits in alternative colors like dusty blue are all wonderful options for a summer wedding with this summer dress code.

Casual Summer Wedding Attire

Generally, casual wedding attire means just about anything.  However, denim, shorts, and tank tops are most likely not appropriate unless noted on the invitation. Regardless of how casual the summer wedding may be, it’s still best to skip the extreme casual wear, such as jeans and flip-flops. For the purposes of a wedding outfit, assume this dress code means business casual to be on the safe side. Consider something like a jersey mini dress, or chinos and a polo shirt.