The Wedding Trend Guide to Summer Wedding Guest Dresses

As the summer sun beckons and wedding invitations start arriving, choosing the perfect attire for a destination wedding is exciting, yet it can be daunting. Whether it’s a beachfront bash in Cancun, a charming ceremony in Jamaica, or a luxurious gathering at a grand Punta Cana resort, each setting calls for a specific style. 

2024 brings fresh, vibrant trends in summer wedding guest dresses that provide comfort in the warm weather and help you shine as a wedding guest. From breezy silhouettes to bold patterns, our guide dives into this season’s chicest styles tailored for the top Destify destinations. 

Ready to find dresses to wear to a summer wedding as a guest? 

Chic Wedding Guest Dresses Summer Inspo 

When the venue is as picturesque as a destination wedding, picking the right dress becomes part of the fun. This summer, think less about just fitting in and more about standing out! Here’s a rundown of this season’s hottest trends in formal summer wedding guest dresses that will turn heads no matter where you’re celebrating.

Light and Airy Fabrics

As temperatures rise, the appeal of light and airy fabrics becomes undeniable. Chiffon, linen, and silk are breathable and flow beautifully, perfect for catching that gentle sea breeze at a beach wedding. Imagine yourself at a stunning beach in Cancun, your dress flowing in the wind—not just comfortable, but picture-perfect too.

Vibrant Prints and Colors

Summer is the season of color, so why shy away from vibrant prints? Floral patterns echo the blooming surroundings of garden weddings, while bold stripes and polka dots make a statement at more casual gatherings. Whether sipping cocktails by the shoreline or dancing under string lights, a splash of color is your best companion.

Flattering Cuts

This year, it’s all about dresses that flatter and enhance. Wrap dresses cinch you at the waist and compliment every figure, while off-the-shoulder designs add a touch of romance and elegance, ideal for a sunset ceremony in Jamaica. High-low hemlines, on the other hand, bring a playful yet sophisticated look that transitions effortlessly from day-to-night celebrations.

Decode the Dress Code

Understanding wedding dress codes can sometimes feel like deciphering a secret language. That’s why we’re here to break down the common dress codes for summer weddings, so you always hit the right note with your outfit choice, no matter the setting.

Beach Formal

Think elegant but with a twist of beachy ease. For a formal seaside event, opt for light, flowing dresses in beach colors that reflect the sun and sand. A midi wrap dress in a light pastel or a tropical print maxi can be perfect for weddings by the sea. Pair with wedge sandals or embellished flats that won’t sink into the sand.

Garden Party Chic

Garden weddings call for dresses in floral prints or soft, earthy tones that complement the natural beauty around you. A-line dresses made from lace or soft tulle add just the right amount of whimsy. Don’t forget a wide-brimmed hat or delicate silk scarf to shield you from the midday sun with a touch of old-school glamour.

Resort Elegant

Resort weddings are your chance to dress up and shine. Opt for sleek, bold colors or metallic fabrics that catch the light beautifully during those golden hour ceremonies. A chic cocktail dress or an elegant jumpsuit paired with statement jewelry will help you stand out in the best way possible.

Casual Celebration

When the invite says casual, it’s all about comfort without compromising style. A breezy boho dress or a simple sundress paired with stylish sandals is ideal. Flowy summer dresses for wedding guests provide the perfect opportunity to play with fun accessories like chunky necklaces or a vibrant clutch.

10 Destination Wedding Guest Dresses That Can Meet Any Dress Code

Guest dresses are a hot topic for anyone attending a wedding, especially a destination wedding. 

The best destination weddings combine romance and excitement with all the joys of a luxury holiday. It is all sun, sea, sand, long dusky nights, fabulous clothes, good laughs, and the best memories. Nothing is more magical than gathering to celebrate a loved one’s special day in an idyllic paradise. 

Designing your destination wedding wardrobe is half the fun.  Hot tropical looks, perfect poolside bar outfits, and casual brunch looks.  The perfect dress for the ceremony. A destination wedding is a chance to be creative and playful. A chance to dress up and enjoy yourself with friends, new and old. 

Luckily for you, we are bringing you our ultimate guest dress edit. So read on for all the guest wedding dress inspo you need to get it just right on the big day. 

Consider The Fundamentals

Before selecting your dress, carefully consider the event and the logistics.  

Where will the ceremony be taking place? Is it a beachside ceremony? Or indoors?  What time is the event being held, in the daytime or the evening? 

What kind of event is it? Boho, black-tie, beach themed? What time of year is it being held? If you are going to a fall wedding, you can find our fall-style guide here. 

What is the creative vision or color palette of the event? Is there a specific dress code? Will it be super hot? Or not so much?

All these factors are important considerations to ensure your outfit choice’s success and overall comfort on the day.  If you want to know how celebrities do it, take inspiration from Vogue’s Best Celebrity Wedding Guests roundup for some solid inspiration.  

Dazzle in a Tropical Belted Mini Dress by Alicia + Olivia

This tropical printed mini dress is flowy, sexy, and perfect for a beachy wedding.  

Founded by Stacey Bendet, Alicia + Olivia creates sophisticated designs that channel a love of vintage with romantic, whimsical designs that are perfect for modern, relaxed beachside weddings. 

The sunrise tropical print perfectly encapsulates the tropical vibes of a lush tropical jungle.  With a gorgeous, belted, flowing silhouette, the dress is comfortable, flattering, and perfect for a hot summer day.  

Dreaming of Powder Blue Ocean-Inspired Dresses

Channel the natural beauty of the ocean with this soft baby-blue halterneck maxi dress by Asos Design.  This dress offers incredible value for money, and its elegant twist strap back detailing makes it a knock-out.  

Gorgeous, serene blue is an on-trend color for guest dresses.  The delicate, soft blue coloring adds a dreamy, tranquil touch that can symbolize new beginnings, joy, and optimism, ideal for an oceanside destination wedding.  

Embrace Classic Nautical Colours with Reiss 

Choosing a Reiss dress means choosing affordable luxury.  This nautically-inspired number rocks a sleek silhouette with a classic navy and white color palette.  The dainty halterneck, keyhole detailing, and front slit create a flirty yet sophisticated look.  

Made from 100 percent linen, this is the ideal fabric for hot weather.  It is breathable, lightweight, and has natural moisture-absorbing properties, making it an excellent choice for a hot summer’s day.  

Create an Impact With a Luxe-Boho-Inspired Dress

Saakha & Kinni puts bold prints and spectacular Indian fabrics at the forefront of its stunning collections.  This richly colored, eye-catching sari dress is reminiscent of a tropical sunset’s warm, breathtaking colors.  

Combining high-ended cotton silk and chiffon fabrics in an exquisite off-the-shoulder design for a vibrant dress choice that will put you in perfect harmony with nature.  

Channel Refined Elegance with Ted Baker

Choose timeless fashion as your calling card with this romantic cross-front pleated midi dress by Ted Baker.  

Guest dresses are an important part of a wedding’s overall aesthetic.  The soft and delicate color palette, clean lines, and attractive waist detailing of the Amerah Dress exude romance, grace, and a touch of nostalgia.  This is the perfect dress choice for an up-market and refined event.  

Put Playfulness in First Place with this Flirty Floral Dress

A destination wedding is a place to shake up the stuffy dress codes of a more formal wedding. Look to accentuate sun-kissed skin and endless legs with this fun and fresh strapless mini dress.  

Katie May creates contemporary, non-traditional bridal and event dresses that shows off modern silhouettes.  This high-quality dress hits all the right spots with its asymmetrical hemline and draped side overlay.  

Glimmer in Gold with this Opulent Cocktail Dress

Are you attending a high-end evening reception? If you want to make a statement, this dress channels classic glamour and is perfect for a luxe evening event.  

The intricate beading and gorgeous gold accents are the standout features of this high-end dress. The tasteful design with elegant belted waist detail and swing skirt channels vintage elegance.  It is pricy, but it’s a keeper.  

Make Mystical Purple Your Choice

The exquisite, rich color of purple makes a stunning color choice for guest dresses at a wedding.  This easy, breezy dress by Free People is the very definition of hot girl summer vibes.  

With its plunging v-neckline, this bohemian maxi dress gives a free-spirited, ethereal feel. Accessorize with barefoot sandy feet.  The vibrant violet contrasts perfectly with the soft hues of a beachfront ceremony.  

Captivate in a Bardot Wrap Dress

This slinky number by ASOS Edition is incredible and comes in various colors so that you can select your desired shade depending on your event’s color scheme.  

Channel Bridget Bardot’s impeccable sense of style with this sophisticated, graceful, and flattering dress.  The Bardot neckline puts tanned shoulders on full display and is complemented with fitted bust paneling and high split.  

Eye-catching Emerald Hand-Beaded Delight

Turn up the heat with this luscious dusty-emerald Adriana Papell gown featuring delicate hand-beaded embellishments.  

You will radiate joy and life in this impeccably designed long-length dress. Papell’s collections aim to create occasionwear that allows women to shine inside and out with sophisticated cuts, quality fabrics and craftsmanship, and effortlessly elegant styles. 

Destination Wedding Fashion for Guests: Summer Wedding Attire

Summer is one of the most exciting times of the year to attend a destination wedding. Picturesque beaches present the perfect backdrop for an “I do,” and the cool evening air of a novel location carries the music from the afterparty into the horizon. With such a seasonal sense of romance, the pressure to wear the perfect outfit may feel immense. Formalwear, semi-formal wear, and beach-appropriate attire all have their unique charms. Whether you are planning a dress code for a summer wedding of your own, or are a soon-to-be wedding guest looking for outfit advice, why not consider all of your options before deciding?

Formal Summer Wedding Attire for Any Destination

Formalwear is a wide enough category that your guests will have options whether your ceremony is in a climate-controlled venue or outdoors. Structured silhouettes serve classic looks, but dresses with form-fitting fabrics may sweat through or restrict breathing. Instead, flowing gowns make for a beautiful formal look. Pair the gown with a statement necklace, a pair of earrings, and silk gloves for a wedding ensemble that emanates class.

Tailored suits in darker unbroken hues of black and navy blue are a perennial favorite in formal wedding dress codes. Add a highlight in the form of a silk bow tie and pocket square to reinforce the wedding’s color palate. Polished dress shoes and simple cufflinks complete the outfit and guarantee your guests will feel confident and look sharp.

No matter what you wear, pay extra attention to the finer details. It is all too easy to forget about personal grooming and proper hair styling in the rush of wedding preparations and travel, but other guests will notice the lack of attention paid. 

Semi-Formal Wedding Attire in Hot Weather

A semi-formal dress code is slightly more difficult to plan, but as long as you give concrete examples, it will turn out just as classy. Depending on the color palette of the venue and your decorations, sophisticated jewel tones bring a sense of life and vibrancy to summer wedding attire. Pastels offer a softer alternative but deliver a gentle and beautiful finish.

Semi-formal wedding attire’s biggest advantage is flexibility. Midi dresses, heels, and a clutch purse sit alongside blouses, culottes, and flats. The heat of the summer afternoon might lead your guests to wear refined boating shorts and a tucked-in button down while the cool of the evening may lead your guests towards blazers and slacks.

As for fabrics, satin and crepe suit a summer wedding at any time of day. Just be careful – your guests’ clothing shouldn’t overheat them if they sit outdoors. Summer semi-formal wedding attire is as much about comfort as it is about looks.

What to Wear to a Beach Wedding

Beachside ceremonies are one of the most enchanting opportunities afforded by a summertime wedding. The cool breeze, beautiful sand, and pristine waters will leave you with the memories of a lifetime. However, beach weddings also force planners to answer a tricky question: What kinds of clothing should our guests wear to the beach?

The casual elegance of a beach wedding calls for light, breathable fabrics that keep everyone comfortable while still maintaining a sense of style. For women, sundresses, flowy skirts, and tailored shorts are great options, especially when paired with stylish sandals or wedges. Since the environment may call for a bit of practicality—like hats or sunglasses for sun protection—considering these functional accessories is also key to ensuring your guests look polished and comfortable throughout the day.

When it comes to undergarments, finding the right balance of comfort and style is essential, especially with the warm, breezy beach atmosphere. Foxy Lingerie has the perfect pieces you need to create the perfect women’s costume or lingerie set for such occasions. From seamless bras that won’t show under your dress to delicate lace sets that provide both elegance and comfort, it ensures you’re outfitted with pieces that not only feel great but also complement the light and airy vibe of a beachside celebration.

With their range of styles and sizes, guests can feel confident and stylish, enjoying the beauty of the beach while looking effortlessly chic. Each piece is designed to enhance comfort while embracing sophistication, making every woman feel empowered and beautiful.

Outdoor weddings require flexibility in planning. Your guests’ summer wedding attire must account for weather variance while still matching the location’s natural splendor. An evening wedding dress code must recommend warmer clothes to account for the possibility of a windy chill.

The two main categories of outfits to sort through are your beach wedding guest dresses and your men’s beach wedding attire.

Beach Wedding Guest Dresses

When it comes to your beach wedding guests’ dresses, simple fabrics strike the perfect balance between comfort, beauty, and practicality. Emphasize maxi dresses made of breathable materials like linen and light cotton in your dress code. If you have a color palette in mind, tropical prints, and nautical patterns bring it all together.

Remind your guests not to wear dresses with a train or too many layers. Longer dresses fit the setting thanks to their elegance, but catching sand in a dress train is very obstructive. Guests may overheat if they’re sitting in the sun in too many layers.

Shoes that typically match with flowing dresses may not suit the surface of a sandy beach. Don’t recommend heels and wedges – they dig into the sand and make it difficult to walk without tripping. Instead, sandals or flat espadrilles ensure your guests feel as graceful as they’ll look. 

Once the basic look is established, remind your guests in beach wedding guest dresses that they may bring accessories that complement this aesthetic. Woven purses or beach totes, sun hats, and necklaces are all smart choices.

Men’s Beach Wedding Attire

Menswear is popular amongst wedding goers of all body shapes thanks to its flattering styles and practicality. Dressing for a destination beach wedding presents more of a challenge than dressing for a wedding in a traditional venue. What should your guests do differently?

Lightweight and breathable fabrics are a must. Stay cool in linens and cottons so everyone enjoys the ceremony from start to finish.

For shirts, stick with button-downs with short or rolled-up sleeves for a summer feel. All the better if guests use color patterns that match the wedding’s palette. 

Match those shirts with chinos and other pants in earth tones for a look that comes across as natural. Versatility and neutrality are key. Stronger tones risk overwhelming the whole ensemble.

Recommend boat shoes, loafers, or matching sandals as a final component of summer wedding attire. Comfortable, light shoes won’t cause any trouble walking on the sand or enjoying the edge of the water.

Beyond that, accessorize away! Encourage your guests to wear their favorite watch or sunglasses to synergize with their men’s beach wedding attire.

Finding the Perfect Summer Wedding Guest Dress

Choosing the right summer wedding guest dress is about finding that sweet spot between comfort and style, so you look fabulous without sacrificing ease. Whether you’re attending a laid-back beach wedding or a sophisticated resort event, you can elevate the festive atmosphere with one of these summer wedding guest dresses. Dress to impress and celebrate in style.