Summer wedding season is on the horizon, which means your invitations are probably already rolling in. As you admire the design, your eyes may instinctively skip ahead to the location and discover you’re headed for beachside nuptials. Immediately, the question arises: What to wear? With more temperamental climates to consider, it takes a little planning to put together a beach wedding guest outfit—and that’s where we come in.
Vogue-Approved Beach Wedding Guest Outfits:
The answer begins with the destination itself. The coasts of Ibiza, Jamaica, and Nantucket each evoke a distinctly different mood, and with it, a different sartorial approach. Equally important are the details that shape the celebration: the dress code, exact venue, and even the time of day. Together, these elements set the tone and help define the perfect look for the occasion. After all, a sandy dance floor calls for a very different footwear strategy than a reception set atop a stone terrace—if shoes are required at all.
The good news? A beach wedding dress code is one of the most fun invites your wardrobe will receive: it’s lighter, brighter, and decidedly more playful than the traditional formal affair. Whether you are headed to Rio, the sun-drenched shores of Puglia, or the idyllic coastline of Hydra, we’ve assembled a selection of inspired outfit ideas to ensure you arrive perfectly dressed for your next seaside celebration.
Destination: Puglia
Set against the whitewashed walls of an Apulian masseria, Tory Burch’s black, mirror-embellished layered dress provides striking contrast, its reflective surfaces shimmering as they catch the sunlight. Turquoise sandals make for a vivid, textural accent, while these ivory satin teardrop pouch and labradorite fish charm earrings provide a decidedly coastal-inspired finish.
Destination: Ibiza
A ruffled chiffon paisley-printed gown in shades of blue is ideal for nuptials set near crystalline waters, rugged cliffs, and pine forests. Gleaming satin orange sandals by Dries Van Noten add a touch of glamour while remaining a sensible, dance-ready choice (you’ll appreciate that wedge on hour six of the celebrations).
Destination: Hydra
This electric yellow Proenza Schouler dress comes alive against Hydra’s rugged, rocky terrain and sun-bleached hills. Complete the look with gold earrings by Juju Vera, which play on ancient Mediterranean motifs with lapis droplets accents, for a goddess-worthy finish.
Destination: Maui
Striped metallics create a standout look for Hawaiian nuptials—add a beaded shell necklace and a black-and-white raffia clutch, and you have yourself a beach-ready ensemble. For a vibrant pop of color, Proenza Schouler’s coral-red heeled sandals more than deliver.
Destination: Puerto Rico
You’ll need something airy for Puerto Rico’s balmy tropical climate; try Johanna Ortiz’s one-shoulder chiffon gown, which comes dressed for the occasion with a palm tree print. Meanwhile, these Jimmy Choo twisted gold leather kitten heels elevate the look, creating a refined and beach-ready wedding ensemble (plus, they’re easy enough to kick off once the after-party gets started).
Destination: Rio de Janeiro
The stripes on this Mango slip dress recall the iconic black and white wavy mosaics of the Copacabana promenade, while Pucci’s bright blue-green palette Alaïa’s lime green wedges bring the tropical hues that add a little zest to this ensemble. The finishing touch: a jeweled Kallmeyer cap, a playful nod to Rio’s effortless glamour and the perfect topper for seaside festivities.
Destination: Puerto Escondido
Heirlome’s hibiscus red silk halter dress is fitting for a Mexican wedding on the coast of Puerto Escondido. For restrained elegance with a slightly architectural sensibility—a subtle nod to Casa Wabi—style it with Sophie Buhai’s stacked silver cuff, designed to echo the movement of rolling waves. Add Carolina Santo Domingo’s wooden box evening bag, which is bound with silk rope and finished with a dangling tassel, and ground the look with Jil Sander’s pointed-toe black sandals.
Destination: Santa Monica
For a California wedding, Chloé’s rose-printed, floor-skimming gown finds an aesthetic match in Gianvito Rossi wooden platform sandals. A hand-knit, copper-threaded mochila adds the perfect note of bohemian romance.
Destination: St. Barthelemy
To ground the ocean-inspired motif of this strapless silk gown, pair it with an earthy tiger’s eye beaded necklace. It’s a look that feels effortless—and therefore appropriate for a St. Barths ceremony.
Destination: Jamaica
For Jamaican nuptials, a striking rose-pink Diotima dress (made from crocheted cotton to evoke the chicest fishing net on the planet) feels like the natural choice. Pair it with a sparkling white kitten heel thong sandal—easy to slip off if the celebration drifts onto the sand—along with a palm tree-printed embellished clutch for a playful paradisiacal finish.
Destination: Nantucket
Let the maritime charm and understated New England elegance of Nantucket inspire you. Opt for a fluid sky blue halter gown by Staud and a pair of green chalcedony drop earrings suspended from freshwater pearls by Completedworks. Punctuate the look with a navy blue basketweave patterned clutch and Manolo Blahnik’s embroidered raffia sandals to achieve a quintessential American seaside look that’s both breezy and timeless.
