How You Dress Your Best for a Beach Wedding

Beach weddings are informal to a certain degree. They may be very expensive when you have to fly to the destination. However, the investment in the needed wedding guest attire is also one in your vacation and weekend wardrobe. Read how you can dress your best for a beach wedding while investing in your own wardrobe.

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Dress Code for Beach Wedding Invitation

A beach wedding invitation is the most desirable (even if you live far from a beach) from the view point of the investment in the attire. You can wear the purchases again and again as an outfit on summer vacation and on weekends. All you need is a festive beach dress, matching jewelry, flat sandals, a clutch, sunglasses and hat. Take these Dos and Don’ts in mind when shopping for your outfit.

Avoid Anything That Makes You Look Old

When creating your beach-wedding outfit, resist to go for anything flower-power. The hippy look had had its time, and it was great back then, but it well passed its prime. Today, this look just looks Old Lady and ridiculous on any woman over 40. We don’t want to relive our youth again! We love who we are now! Thus, go for a modern just-right-now look.

What to Consider When Choosing the Dress

Go for a maxi or high-low hem dress that still allows you to wear a bra and shapewear. Even when you never wear that dress again with a bra and shapewear, at the wedding you should. Tons of photos will be taken and you want your girls sit in the right place.

When choosing your dress, be aware that there is always some wind at the beach. A wide skirt might look like you set the sails. Not to mention that it is hard to walk under such conditions.

Furthermore, you should consider than on a sunny day the ocean reflects the harmful UV radiation. When your skin easily burns consider not to just rely on sunglasses and sun cream, but go for chic sun protective beach clothing.

How to Accessorize Your Beach Wedding Guest Outfit

Pick accessories that match the vibe of the dress. Make sure to have one trendy item. More is over-kill and to be avoided as it would be the source for laughter for years to come at family reunions. A straw clutch is a nice option for dresses with a floral or ethnic print. A small cross-body bag looks great on a striped dress.

Best Footwear to Dress Your Best at a Beach Wedding

Beach weddings require a pair of comfy thongs, flat mules or strappy sandals with either embellishment, semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals, or a metallic tone. Since they can be incorporated in your weekend and vacation wardrobe for warm climate destinations, you can invest some money. They are not the sky-high heels of a formal wedding that you will never wear again! Make sure you wear the thongs, mules or sandals prior to the wedding a couple of times. Open blisters on a salty beach hurt!

Outfit Ideas for Beach Wedding Guest

The following photos provide outfit ideas for attending a nuptial at the shore.

Layered maxi dress with floral print scarf, golden thong sandals and DIY necklace
Ever Pretty loose fitted tie dye cover up beach dress. Pair with a cropped white linen jacket, light brown or white leather clutch
Ever Pretty Long sleeve button up Palmetto print maxi beach dress

Ever Pretty vintage inspired bright flower tiered midi beach dress
Ever Pretty all-over flower print tassel tie midi beach dress. Pair with white clutch, statement necklace and thongs
Ever Pretty leopard print plunging V-neck long sleeve maxi beach dress. The long sleeves are perfect for everyone who is arm-shy

When you liked the outfit recipes of this post, and want recipes for all kind of dressing situation in midlife, buy my book How to Dress for Success in Midlife.

Are you invited to a beach wedding or wedding in general? What will you wear? When you are invited to another kind of marriage party you may also like to read what to wear to an afternoon wedding or how to dress for a civil wedding.

Curious, what Alaskan women may wear at their outdoor wedding at the Last Frontier? Warning, Alaskan outdoor weddings upset tourists. Find out why.

Do you want more tips on what to wear when? Then my book How to Dress for Success in Midlife will be perfect for you. Buy your copy now.

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Photos: G. Kramm

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