What to Wear to a Summer Wedding

You’re getting married this summer – how exciting! Summer weddings provide hope of warmer weather, seasonal wedding flowers in abundance and the possibility of extending nuptial celebrations to outdoor spaces. It’s no wonder it’s the most popular time of year to tie the knot.

One question your guests will inevitably ask is what should I wear? As you plan your big day, it’s helpful to understand typical wedding attire expectations for different dress codes so you can communicate clearly and make your guests feel confident, comfortable, and appropriately dressed.

This blog is here to help you shape your summer wedding dress code and set your guests up for success. We’ll debunk some wedding dress codes and offer some seasonal tips you might include on your invitation or wedding website.

What to wear to a summer wedding: dress code

Whether you’re planning a formal black-tie affair or a casual celebration, it’s important to clearly communicate your dress code on your wedding invitations or wedding website. In this section, we’ll break down the most popular wedding dress codes to help you choose the right one for your wedding day:

White tie

White-tie wedding attire is the strictest of all the different dress codes for weddings. White-tie weddings aren’t one of the most common types of attire today but are reserved for elegant events like state dinners, high profile venues or where your guestlist may include royalty, for example.

White-tie wedding attire for women includes evening gowns with full-length A-line or sheath silhouettes, or floor-length ball gowns. As for men, long and dark tuxedo tailcoats with fabric extensions that reach the back of the knee and white piqué button-down shirts should be worn under a white vest with a bow tie and a cummerbund.

Black tie

Following white-tie attire, a black-tie wedding dress code is the next most formal wedding attire category. The profile of your chosen wedding venue will influence when you request a black tie dress code, such as castles, country houses and stately homes.

For women, formal gowns are expected, and they should touch the ground or the top of the shoes. Men should opt for a tuxedo or a dark, tailored suit with a crisp dress shirt, tie or bow tie, and polished shoes.

Black-tie attire also has a slightly less formal iteration known as black-tie optional. Guests invited to a black-tie optional event have more flexibility for example women have more leeway to wear cocktail-style dresses or even dressy pantsuits, while men can opt for a regular suit (still dark.)

Formal

Formal wedding attire is a slightly less formal than black-tie.

So, what do you wear to a formal summer wedding? For women, formal outfit choices include floor-length gowns, a fancy cocktail dress or a dressy pantsuit. For men, a tuxedo isn’t required.

When making recommendations for formal wedding outfits, start by considering the venue and season. For summer events, lighter fabrics and brighter colours are common for formal attire. The key is to always go for a polished, elegant look. Wedding venues such as hotels would usually suit a formal dress code, where you want guests to be well presented but not uncomfortable.

Semi-formal

Semi-formal wedding attire may seem like one of the trickier wedding guest dress codes to nail, falling somewhere between formal and casual.

For a semi-formal wedding, women can wear below-the knee dresses, slip dresses, a dressy skirt and top or a pantsuit styled with heels, nice wedges or formal flats. Men, on the other hand can wear a shirt and dress pants, with the option to wear a tie.

If your guests are still unsure of what to wear to a semi-formal summer wedding, you should provide information about the wedding venue in your wedding invitations and wedding websites, so guests can scope the venue online beforehand and assess the vibe. A great example of where you would request semi-formal attire is at a wedding barn, boutique hotel, town halls or registry offices.

Casual

A casual wedding dress code typically indicates that the wedding atmosphere will be more laid-back.

With that said, jeans, shorts, t-shirts and trainers are not appropriate unless the couple specifically says otherwise. It’s important to remember that a wedding is still a formal event, it just comes with more flexibility in terms of experimenting with colours, patterns and fabrics.

For this type of affair, women can wear a summer sundress or a floral-printed mini dress, styled with wedges or dressy sandals. Men should choose a shirt, dress pants or chinos and perhaps a blazer for a more polished look with loafers or dress shoes. A casual dress code might be most appropriate for outdoor weddings, where the weather could be changeable, weddings where a celebrant is conducting a ceremony outside or when getting married in a private home or garden.

What to wear to a summer wedding: colours

When communicating your dress code, it’s a good idea to provide some examples of outfits for summer wedding guests. In terms of colours, pastel shades of pink, blue, sage or lavender look lovely at mid-afternoon ceremonies and complement the greenery in outdoor photos. For a more vibrant look, why not suggest colours like coral, magenta or turquoise.

Summer wedding attire tips and etiquette

As the soon-to-be wed couple, it’s thoughtful to help your guests navigate what to wear for a summer wedding. Here, we’ve included a few wedding attire points you might want to include on your wedding website or pre-wedding email:

• Gently remind guests to avoid white, ivory, soft cream and off-white as these are the bride’s special shades.
• Suggest colour palettes.
• Favour lightweight fabrics like cotton and linen.
• Clarify what “casual” means if your wedding dress code leans that way.
• Recommend comfortable shoes if dancing or outdoor terrain is involved.

As you count down to your big day, taking a little time to guide your guests through your wedding dress code can really enhance the experience. Clear expectations help people feel at ease and ensure your wedding photos look harmonious and well put-together.

We hope this guide helps you refine your summer wedding dress code plans and gives your guests a clear vision of what to wear. If you’re celebrating your love at Heather Glen Country House Hotel, we can’t wait to welcome you – and your beautifully dressed guests!