How to Dress for a Beach Wedding: A Guide for Couples and Guests

Are you looking to get married by the sea and wondering how to dress for the occasion? Have you been invited to such an event and have questions about the dress code?

I'm here to help you.

As a fashion enthusiast and events professional, I frequently assist couples with planning their weddings. In recent years, beach weddings have become incredibly popular and attract many couples!

Today, I’d like to help you discover what outfit to wear for these festivities, whether you're the bride-to-be, her fiancé, or a guest celebrating this union.

For a beach wedding, a flowing bohemian long dress or a short dress with lace details will be just perfect. You can pair them with flat sandals, some jewellery, and a lovely hairstyle, perhaps with a flower crown. For men, a light-coloured suit, worn without the jacket, fits nicely into the seaside wedding vibe. Lastly, if you're a bridesmaid or a guest, it's the ideal time to don a beautiful bohemian dress or a pastel-coloured jumpsuit, or something with a pretty light-pattern print!

Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover:

• What to expect when you're invited to a waterfront wedding,
• How to choose your wedding dress, featuring trendy examples,
• Ideas for the groom's outfit, ranging from casual to formal,
• Examples of guest dresses and suits perfectly suited for such events,
• And finally, tips on how to accessorise your outfit for a unique and original look!

How Does a Beach Wedding Take Place?

Very popular in recent years, beach weddings are unforgettable celebrations set in a stunning location. The ceremony usually takes place on the beach: an aisle is created with chairs lined up on either side, and the couple typically walks towards an arch positioned facing the sea. Most of the time, it’s a civil ceremony, although some priests are willing to come to the beach for a blessing.

After the ceremony, guests are traditionally invited to head to a beachfront villa or bar-restaurant nearby. The evening continues in this space, by the sea, which often allows for immediate access to the beach.

What dress to wear for a beach wedding?

Beach weddings are often more relaxed than traditional ceremonies. It's all about enjoying a little getaway and making the most of it. Most of the time, the dress code is less strict, allowing for plenty of bohemian and romantic trends.

A Long Bohemian Wedding Dress

For the queen of the day, a long dress that is both light and flowing is a perfectly natural choice. It's a comfortable dress that evokes a sense of freedom, making it ideal for a beach wedding. Opting for a white dress is perfect for the beach, as this bright colour will look stunning against the ocean and sand.

A dress with lace detail

Your dress can be quite simple or feature more intricate elements, such as lace. This might include sheer sleeves, an insert on the back, or even lace covering the entire dress. Lace is a romantic fabric that evokes the light, breezy outfits we might wear to the beach in summer. It contributes to a bohemian vibe, with its vintage feel, and brings to mind the rustic weddings of our grandparents.

A short and lightweight dress

Finally, to highlight the fact that your wedding is a holiday time for relaxation, you might consider choosing a short dress. Its casual vibe will bring a sense of freedom to your ceremony. For your guests, the message is clear: this wedding is a time for joy, celebration, and light-heartedness. The short dress will allow you to be free in your movements and even dance the night away!

Where to find the perfect chic bohemian dress for a beach wedding?

This type of dress can sometimes be hard to find in traditional bridal shops. Since they are less formal than classic wedding gowns, you don’t necessarily need a custom-made design. You can look to online stores instead, just be sure to take your measurements carefully to choose a dress that fits you perfectly!

👉 Our shop, Bohemian Life, offers you all year round bohemian wedding dresses that are available in both short and long styles, well-fitted and at an affordable price. By specialising in this area, we guarantee our customers a selection of original clothing that is perfectly suited for any occasion.

Bohemian Wedding Dress

What shoes to wear with your dress?

What a joy it is to arrive at the beach, kick off your shoes and walk barefoot! This same spirit of freedom is at the heart of beach weddings. While some may prefer to go barefoot, you can also choose lightweight shoes that complement the style of your wedding. Consider flat sandals or heels, featuring delicate straps in light colours. They can also have golden or silver details to reflect the sunlight!

👉 In any case, I advise against wearing stilettos or high heels, as they might sink into the sand and hinder your movements on the big day!

Waterfront Wedding: What Should the Groom Wear?

Just like his future bride, the groom can also opt for a relaxed outfit that reflects the festivities. Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect piece!

A Light-Coloured Suit

Dark suits, such as navy, black, or charcoal, which are traditionally worn for formal events, may not be the best choice for a waterfront wedding. These outfits can appear a bit too formal and serious in a setting that feels more like a holiday. I would therefore recommend opting for a light-coloured suit in shades of grey or beige, which complements the tones of your ceremony decor beautifully. If you're feeling bold, you could even go for an all-white suit!

A smart but casual outfit

For those who aren’t keen on wearing a classic three-piece suit for their wedding, this style of wedding is perfect. Given the circumstances, you can opt to skip the suit jacket and swap it out for a waistcoat or a simple shirt.

👉 You might also consider trying a unique suit colour, like chambray blue or pastel pink!

What shoes and accessories go well with a suit?

When it comes to shoes, you might want to consider opting for Oxford or Derby shoes in a lighter colour. Alternatively, if you fancy a more casual look, you could wear some canvas shoes that match the rest of your outfit.

Lastly, when it comes to accessories, it’s time to choose an original tie or bow tie. You might also consider wearing suspenders instead, which will hold up your floral boutonnière!

How to Dress for a Beach Wedding?

Have you received an invitation to a waterside wedding and are wondering what to wear for the occasion? As mentioned for the bridal party, I can only advise you to choose an outfit that is both smart and relaxed.

Some Outfit Ideas for Ladies

Bohemian maxi dresses are perfect for this type of occasion: their length gives them an elegant touch, while their cut and the patterns on the fabric generally complement a beach wedding quite well. If you're unsure about the colour, I always recommend choosing pastel shades, as they will blend beautifully with the setting of the wedding you are attending.

If you prefer, you can also choose a shorter dress with a lovely cut, or a long skirt. If you're not keen on showing off your legs, a flowy jumpsuit would be just right, as would a pair of culottes teamed with a nice embellished top.

👉 Check out our collection of bohemian dresses, perfect for a wedding by the water!

👡 When it comes to shoes, my recommendations are the same as for the bride. Go for flat shoes or wide-heeled options with thin straps, allowing you to dance and enjoy the celebrations freely!

How to Choose Your Outfit for a Beach Wedding as a Man?

As this type of wedding often takes place in the heart of summer, you might find a classic dark suit too warm. Instead, go for a linen suit in a lighter colour. Alternatively, you could opt for smart trousers paired with a shirt, belt or suspenders, and low shoes in coordinating shades. Now's the time to embrace a relaxed outfit!

And what about the kids?

At a beach wedding, kids will easily be tempted to play in the sand and go for a swim. Their outfits should be simple and comfy, but also easy to put on and take off so they can change into their swimmers!

For a little girl, a light white dress would be perfect, while for a little boy, you could opt for a light fabric pair of shorts teamed with a short-sleeved shirt. 😉

What Accessories to Celebrate a Beach Wedding?

To wrap up this article, I’d like to share a handy selection of accessories that can be worn by the bride, her bridesmaids, or the guests, to create a true festive atmosphere and properly celebrate this magical occasion!

Unique Jewellery

A beach wedding is the perfect occasion to showcase beautiful colourful jewellery. The sunlight will reflect off them, enhancing your skin tone. For this event, which has a more relaxed vibe compared to traditional weddings, you can choose to wear designer costume jewellery. It’s a fantastic opportunity to express your personal style and highlight what makes you unique.

A shawl to drape over your shoulders

If there’s a bit of wind on the day or just to keep warm as the night begins to fall, you might want to pack a light shawl in your bags. It should complement the rest of your outfit and will come in handy if needed!

Bohemian and Natural Hairstyles with a Flower Crown

Finally, this beach ceremony is a great opportunity to choose a simple yet elegant makeup and hairstyle. For your hair, you might consider wearing a lovely hat, which fits perfectly with the bohemian style.

Consider also flower crowns, which can be styled in your hair, on a hat, or even on a bridal veil! They add a lovely splash of colour to your outfit.

👉 Check out our bohemian flower crowns in our shop!

I hope this article has helped you to find the perfect outfit for your beach wedding or to attend the celebration of your loved ones. Feel free to explore many more articles on the wedding theme on our bohemian blog!