In Search of Beach Formal Wedding Attire? Here's What to Look For (2024)

Attending a destination wedding often means traipsing to a tropical location and an itinerary with a host of activities. But as they’ve become more common through the decades, so has the presence of ‘beach formal’ dress codes on invitations—leaving some guests perplexed about what exactly they should be wearing.

Before dissecting the specific requirements, it’s worth offering some background on beach ceremonies and destination weddings. Spoiler: They’ve actually been around for quite awhile. In fact, couples have been getting married in extravagant and obscure locations away from home, since the ancient and Medieval Times. Of course, at the time, this was reserved for members of royal and wealthy families, as a form of asserting status or political alliances with neighboring regions.

The trend itself wouldn't achieve mainstream popularity in the United States until the boom of commercial air travel during the late 1960s, early 1970s. Many couples were trading in their classic church and banquet hall ceremonies for exotic elopements. By the 1990s, destination weddings had become somewhat of the norm even if their location of choice wasn’t actually that far from home. This included everything from picturesque gardens to parks and beaches. In 1996, style muse Carolyn Basette married John Kennnedy Jr. in rustic Cumberland Island, Georgia. Two years later, supermodel Cindy Crawford married husband Rande Gerber in a barefoot beach wedding in the Bahamas, wearing an off-the-rack John Galliano lace dress, despite the casual tone of the event.

Today, destination weddings are a multibillion industry. According to Research and Markets’ 2023 Global Market Report, 25% of ceremonies taking place annually are happening away from couples’ homes—22% of which are held seaside. Of course, this trend isn’t the only reason for a wedding by the water. In other words, your chances of being invited to a beachfront wedding are higher than you think, so it’s best to be prepared.

By definition, beach formal attire requires the same elevated evening-wear choices you’d pick for weddings held in more traditional locations–like historical buildings or banquet halls—but with tropical updates. Any hem that falls below the knee is a safe bet, as are formal jumpsuits and tailored suit separates, a lá Bianca Jagger—so long as they’re not white or anything adjacent.

Unlike more traditional wedding attire, beach formal dress codes give guests a bit more freedom to play around with colors. If you consider yourself a minimalist, we suggest warm and pastel hues like coral or lemon-yellow, rather than the black and jewel tones associated with dressier ceremonies. Gold and metallics will also bode well in tropical settings as alternatives to neutral hues like beige or tan, which may skew too closely to white. Those that want something bolder may opt for splashy shades of pink or blues. In terms of prints, subtle florals are a safe option, whereas micro polk-dots and more obscure motifs are great for self-identifying maximalists.

Prints and color palettes aside, the biggest differences in beach formal attire are the fabrics and accessories you choose. Instead of dresses and suits made from crepe, taffeta, or even wool, you’d go for silk-charmeuse or other airy fibers that will keep you cool in warmer weather. In instances where the ceremony is actually being held in the sand, skip the stilettos altogether and opt for sandals with a block or wedge heel that won’t sink when you walk. You may also consider accessories made from natural materials such as raffia or shells to align with the tropical aesthetic.

Thankfully, this growing demand for beach formal attire has created space for brands on the market to create elevated resort wear that’s fit for a wedding. Colombian label Baobab is known for its elegant yet sustainable pieces that are made from recycled polyester and the waste found in the Coral Reefs. Guests also tend to gravitate towards names like Zimmermann, Pat Bo, and Fe Noel for the occasion. Also: Jacquemus. Season after season the brand presents its signature light and airy pieces in the South of France–all perfectly suited for a beach wedding. (Two years ago, Dua Lipa wore a floral dress from the label’s fall 2022 collection to the founder and designer of the same name’s wedding to Marco Maestri in Chevral. The couple happened to approve of guests wearing white, as Lipa did, but it's a good rule of thumb to avoid the color unless the invite specifies it.)

And if you still find yourself ruminating about what to wear, just remember that as a rule of thumb, your attire for attending any seaside nuptials must do two things: Accommodate the warm-weather conditions, while adhering to the formality level of the ceremony, and anything that follows. Hitting these two markers will ensure success, every time.