Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Dresses & Style Fashion 22 Best-Dressed Summer Wedding Guests By Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber has been writing, editing, and producing lifestyle and weddings content for over seven years. In that time, she has interviewed and worked with hundreds of leading experts to become an authority on all things homekeeping, flower arranging, home design, and wedding planning. Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 26, 2023 Close O'Malley Photographers You've sent in all of your RSVPs and purchased your gifts. Now it's time to decide what to wear to each of weddings you're slated to attend this summer (they don't call it wedding season for nothing!). Whether you're attending semiformal nuptials in the city, a casual affair on the beach, an afternoon party in a garden, or a black-tie fête in a ballroom, you're going to want to embrace the warmer weather, so allow the soaring temps and summer motifs to dictate your fashion choices. Opt for dresses that tastefully bare skin, pick lightweight fabrics (guys, especially!), and play with prints and color. There are so many ways to nail a spot on the best-dressed summer wedding guest list, as evidenced by the following attendees at real celebrations. From ethereal floor-length gowns in the brightest of brights (chartreuse!) to mid-length dresses in summer's lace of choice (eyelet!), the options are truly limitless. Fall in love with floral prints and summery colors all over again, whatever your personal style. If you're tastes err on the bolder side, consider exotic patterned blooms and palm prints when choosing attire. Searching for something subtler? There's no better time to pull out your blush pinks, ice blues, and the rest of the pastel color family than at a summertime fête. Of course, there's plenty of variety in store for the guys, too. The guys can choose to don light blue or linen suits at formal events, or wear light pink chinos at more casual parties. As for what's always appropriate? A patterned bow tie in the season's splashiest colors. Ready to see all of these fashion-forward guest looks for yourself? Click through for all the summer wedding guest attire inspiration you'll need this season. 01 of 22 Next-Level Shoe Choice Ashley Sawtelle If you're looking for the definition of summer casual, this is it. Pair ethereal patterned dresses with punchy block heels (so retro!) and sleeker silhouettes with your best kicks—sparkly Converse, included. Get More Shoe Inspiration 02 of 22 Summer Black-Tie Caught the Light There's no better time of year to wear chartreuse than summer, so take advantage of the opportunity and don something super-splashy. For a black-tie celebration, choose something floor-length. More of a multi-color maven? Make like the guest on the left and opt for a tropical-inspired gown in a relaxed jersey fabric. 03 of 22 Color Coordinated Adam Barnes Color coordinating with your friends is never a bad idea (and makes for the ultimate Instagram). Branch out, though, and choose a general palette—not a specific shade—to adhere to. True bink, blush, and rose-gold metallic is definitely a scheme to emulate. These Fashion Rental Sites Will Help You Be the Best-Dressed Guest at Any Wedding 04 of 22 Navy and Pink Kallima Photography Everything about these ladies' looks are appropriate for a lakeside celebration. Navy eyelet lace? Subtly nautical. Splashy pink with notes of blues? Just the right amount of ocean influence. Take note of these dresses' hemlines, too: the midi length is particularly popular this season. 05 of 22 Shades Jessica Lorren An outdoor summer party, regardless of the formality level, calls for sunglasses. We love how this guest paired her graphic floral print wrap dress with a pair of cat-eye sunnies. 06 of 22 Cropped Belle and Beau Fine Art Photography Embrace the higher temps and opt for an ensemble with a tasteful crop top. A voluminous mid-length skirt, like this guest's, is the way to go on the bottom. 07 of 22 Parasols Christie Graham Photography Brides, take note—most of your female guests will opt for sleeveless dresses (like these!), which makes protection from the sun a must, especially if you're getting hitched in the middle of an open field. Add vintage-inspired parasols and sunscreen to your list of ceremony staples. Wedding Guest Etiquette Questions, Answered 08 of 22 For the Guys When He Found Her A black-tie wedding means polished suits and ties for the guys, regardless of the season. To give your look a summer vibe, accessorize with a colorful bow tie, à la the guest on the right. Also an option? Instead of the classic navy ensemble, choose something in gray linen. 09 of 22 Aquamarine Kallima Photography If the reception's dance floor is on the beach, a jumpsuit (you won't have to worry about wind!) in the color of the ocean is a pretty option. 10 of 22 Fashionista Alicia Nacenta Multi-colored? Check. Bright pumps? Check. Straw hat? Check. This high-fashion look screams summer. Your Comprehensive Guide to Wedding Guest Attire 11 of 22 Bold Prints Cynthia Chung Weddings Bold prints and bright colors are summer wedding staples, and these chic ladies made sure their traditional attire fit the bill. 12 of 22 Metallic Kurt Boomer Photography There's a way to do deeper hues in summer—just make sure they have a little sheen, like this lady's sequin-adorned mini dress. As for her date? He'll convince your guy to take the plunge on a pink ensemble (we're loving those pants!). 13 of 22 Group Shot Harwell Photography Copy any guest in this group and you're guaranteed a great wedding look. From one-color dresses in season-ready shades (fuchsia!) and bold floral patterns to a slate number with pretty sequins, each woman's attire is a warm-weather win. Things Guests Should Never Wear to a Wedding 14 of 22 Seasonal Accessories Christie Graham Photography If the bride and groom ask their attendees to wear certain colors—say, black and white—you can still let your personal sense of style shine through. The female guest here repurposed a scarf into a pretty hair accessory while the the male guest upgrade his look with a gray vest. 15 of 22 Cacti Corey Torpie Dressing your child for a family wedding? Replace popular florals with a print that's just as popular, but not regularly seen on garments: cacti! Best-Dressed Flower Girls from Real Weddings 16 of 22 Lady-Like Ray Kang Everything about this guest's look, from her polka-dot dress to her black-and-white hat, feels perfect for an al fresco fête. 17 of 22 Assortment The Grovers This group shows how easy it is to make your own personal style work for a beach celebration. Choose bright and bold hues (in form-fitting silhouettes!), neutral blush shades, and subtle floral motifs. As for the guys? Make like the fella on the far left and brighten up your suit choice with an unconventional shade, like cerulean. 18 of 22 Sea Motifs Edward Winter / READYLUCK We doubt you'll ever find a more perfect dress for a Martha's Vineyard wedding. Seashells, ducks, and beachy blooms made this guest's attire a winner. 19 of 22 Jewel Tones The Edges Wedding Photography Who says jewel tones are fall-only shades? The guest on the left elegantly pulled off emerald and ruby shades, thanks to her rose-patterned skirt. As for the guest on the right? She demonstrated that deep red is a year-round hue. What to Wear to an Outdoor Wedding 20 of 22 Blue Eyelet Joel Serrato Sapphire blue might feel like a fall or winter color, but when you pair it with eyelet lace, the unofficial fabric of summer, the hue is perfectly seasonal. Another unexpected choice for summer? Plaid! The guest on the right proved that you can wear the cold-weather fabric during the warmer months so long as it's done in lighter shades of blue and green. 21 of 22 Traditional Attire Meg Smith Attending a traditional Indian wedding this summer? Opt for attire in bold hues, like lime green, rainbow, yellow, and red. Go Inside This Colorful, Traditional Indian Wedding in Napa Valley 22 of 22 Color Combos Jesse Leake We're loving the two summer color combos these two guests perfectly illustrated: burgundy and red and terracotta and jade. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit