Category: wedding

40 Dresses to wear to a beach wedding

Post author By tiffany
Post date June 10, 2022

Are you attending a beach wedding this Summer and not sure what to wear? I’ve got you covered with 40+ amazing options that work perfect for a beach-side ceremony. Here are 40+ dresses to wear to a beach wedding.

As someone who had a destination wedding in a tropical location, I have a soft spot for beach and destination weddings!

Be sure to pin this image to your favorite Pinterest board to use for reference when you are shopping for a dress to wear to a beach wedding!

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Beach Wedding Dress Code

When it comes to a beach destination wedding, the dress code is typically casual and informal compared to traditional weddings.

It is common for beach wedding guests to wear dresses or jumpsuits, linen suits, and overall more comfortable and effortless attire.

You really won’t want to be overdressed at casual beach weddings, as the weather itself requires more breezy and comfortable attire.

Think casual beach dresses, linen suits for men, and comfortable shoes – that you can easily slip off to put your bare feet in the sand.

My number one tip to finding a dress to wear to a beach wedding is the fabric!

Look for airy fabrics, linen, cotton, or for a more formal feel something light like chiffon. Stiff satin or warm velvet dresses do not fit the bill for a beach wedding and will not be comfortable.

Where to shop for beach wedding guest dresses

Hill House Home

Known for their nap dresses (which are super comfortable dresses that you can basically nap in) you can find some great styles that are easy to wear, comfortable and would be the perfect outfit for a beach wedding!

I own three of their dresses and I can’t get enough! They are so lightweight and breathable so you will be comfortable, no matter the temperature. They come in so many colors and patterns and they even make them in kids sizes if you happen to love mommy and me outfits!

Selkie

Selkie is one of my all time favorite brands for super feminine dresses that are flatting on every body type.

They are known for their puff dress (which I own and I adore) which comes in several different colors and can be worn for a special occasion like a beach formal.

They make great dress options for a semi-formal beach wedding to a more formal affair.

Nordstrom

Nordstrom has so many dress options for all styles. You can find everything from tea length dresses to even bridesmaid dresses! But I know that you will for sure be able to find a beach wedding guest outfit easily there.

Another thing that I love is they have a wedding guest dress looks section which shows not only the dresses to wear but the shoes and accessories to go with it! You can get so many beach wedding attire ideas.

At Nordstrom they have all the shoes and accessories. You can find the perfect chunky heels or dressy sandals and don’t forget to pick up bathing suits too! You will find your perfect outfit all in one shopping trip.

You can even get a full suit or a linen suit for your husband/partner while you are shopping there!

J Crew

If you are looking for classic beach wedding dresses, J Crew is where it’s at. A lot of great classic styles and silhouettes that are high quality for a good price point.

Look for breathable fabrics like cotton and linen and for your husband/boyfriend/partner, you can find a white shirt and linen pants there as well.

40 Dresses to wear to a beach wedding

Here are the best wedding guest dresses to wear to a beach wedding that are sure you make you the best dressed guest.

Floral / Printed Dress

Floral prints are something that I wear all year round, but I think they are so fun for a Summer beach wedding guest dress option.

Look for a floral print that matches the location of the wedding venue, so something more tropical inspired or colorful would work great for a beach type of wedding.

floral beach wedding guest dress — original post: mother daughter matching outfits

The dress I am wearing above features more of a “tropical” floral print with the added palm leaves and pink Hawaiian flowers.

This is a great option for a beach wedding and definitely fits the overall destination and vibe of this type of ceremony.

I also love the idea of pairing your beach wedding guest dress with a pair of wedges! As you can see above, my neutral brown wedges paired perfectly with this dress.

They are sand friendly, ultra comfortable and also have somewhat of an effortless vibe that will pair well with your dress.

Bright Colored

Bright colors and lighter colors are always a great option for beach weddings! They fit the occasion, feel festive and are the best options for warmer weather as dark colors attract the sun.

I tend to wear more color in general during the summer months, and there is no better time than a beach wedding to have fun with color! You could pick a multi-colored dress or just a solid dress in a bright hue.

colorful beach wedding guest dress — shop my dress here

My dress shown above features multi-colored tiers and something like this would be a great option for a beach wedding!

The cotton fabric and maxi silhouette is breezy and comfortable, and the fun colors would feel right at home near the ocean.

Here are some more great colorful dress options I love:

Wrap Dress

Wrap dresses are ultra flattering and always a go to option for me when it comes to finding a wedding guest dress!

I love wrap dresses for a beach wedding or outdoor weddings as they are easy and breezy to wear.

Plus you can find them in all different options from strappy dresses to short sleeve dresses, the wrap silhouette is flattering on all body types.

Cocktail Dress

A cocktail dress is always a good option for a wedding guest dress, and I love a pretty cocktail dress on the beach! When it comes to finding the perfect cocktail dress for a beach wedding, I like to look for pretty feminine details and luxe fabrics. I love pairing cocktail dresses with fun accessories and shoes to add to the look.

Here are some gorgeous cocktail dresses that would work great for beach wedding looks:

Maxi Dress

My #1 go to for what to wear to a beach wedding is a maxi dress! Depending on how casual the ceremony is, you can even wear a classic maxi sun dress and dress it up with some strappy heeled sandals and gold jewelry and you will be on point for the occasion.

There are so many cute maxi dress options, and I love the longer length to complete the effortless feel.

Check out some of my favorite maxi dresses below!

Open Back

The perfect detail for a warm beach wedding guest dress – an open back! I absolutely love how flattering the low back look is, and it really fits the destination to have the sun bounce off of your skin. There are all kinds of dress styles and lengths that feature an open back detail, so the options are truly endless!

*Style Tip* wear your hair back in a loose messy bun or down but pulled over to one side to really show off the open back detail!

Mini Dress

Perfect for warm beachy weather, a mini dress is a great option for a beach ceremony and very weather appropriate. I am on the shorter side, so I love mini dresses as I typically don’t need to alter them and they always hit at a flattering spot.

You can go as casual or as formal as you’d like as there are so many different mini dress styles out there. just like to keep in mind the weight of the fabric (look for lighter fabrics) and the color/print to make it beach wedding appropriate!

beach wedding guest dress - mini dress — Shop dress here

My mini dress shown above is an Amazon find and I absolutely love the details!

The v-neck silhouette is flattering, the blush pink color and chiffon fabric makes it suitable for hot and humid temps, and the mini length hits perfect just above the knee.

This is a great and affordable option for a beach wedding guest dress. It’s also a great option if you are looking for long sleeves or short sleeves.

Tiered Dress

Tiered dresses are one of my favorite styles of dresses! They are one of t he best beach wedding outfits!

These dresses are so flattering and the tiered detail feels so feminine and festive, especially for a beach wedding.

You can find all different styles of this kind of dresses like tiered maxi dresses or tiered mini dresses that come to a flattering a-line shape.

(This is a great option for a beach wedding as they are flowy and ultra-comfortable with the access fabric towards the bottom.

This tiered mini dress that I am wearing above is a favorite of mine! I love with paired with nude heels, and it would also be great with strappy heeled sandals or wedges for the beach.

The fabric is nice and lightweight on this dress also which makes it perfect to wear to a beach wedding!

When it comes to finding a dress to wear to a beach wedding, remember to stick to your personal style!

Finding a dress that feels comfortable on and makes you feel confident is key, no matter what style/length/color/print etc. it is!

Be sure to save this post for future reference when you are shopping for your next beach wedding destination dress.

Looking for more wedding style inspiration? Check out the below!

50+ PETITE-FRIENDLY DRESSES TO WEAR TO SUMMER WEDDING

Uncategorized wedding

Wedding Day: Just us

The last of the wedding recap and I just wanted to show this pretty picture of just us.

I have too many favorites but this one is up there on the list. I look at it and can not believe that it is me and my husband. Knowing what we had to go through the days leading up to this day, I truly feel like it was a fairytale with a very happy ending.

Thanks all for following along on our wedding adventure.

Photo by Punam Bean

Previously on the Wedding Day Series:
Part 1: The Venue
Part 2: The Drama
Part 3: The Morning of
Part 4: The “Day After” Shoot
Part 5: The Damage
Part 6: Family Time
Part 7: The Ceremony
Part 8: The Reception
Part 9: T+J
Part 10: In Motion
Part 11: Behind the scenes

style-ish designs Uncategorized wedding

Style-ish Designs: From us to you

Post author By tiffany
Post date January 29, 2009
31 Comments on Style-ish Designs: From us to you

You don’t really think that Thank You cards are that hard to write until you actually sit down and write them. Grammar and spelling seem to leave my mind when I’ve got a pen in my hand and you certainly can’t give someone a thank you card with crossed out and misspelled words can you? I’ve written and rewritten so many cards, I am so happy that they are finally out.

My very talented husband designed the entire card suite and we had them printed by a printer that he frequently uses for his graphic design jobs. They turned out gorgeous and even more so in person.

The entire suite

I absolutely love the silhouette he created of us and used throughout the cards. The design is modern, classy and so us. J’s designs never fail to impress me. I have never not loved something that he’s designed. A few years back before we got so busy with our regular jobs we had a small design business where he designed wedding invitations and other wedding stationary. It was our first foray in the “wedding world” and made me even more excited to get married.

The front and the back

The Inside

We included a small note to our family and friends printed in the card and then we had a separate notecard (that’s the white card you see in front on the above picture) to hand write our individual thank you’s.

The note inside says:

After angry skies calmed
and gray skies cleared…
We were married,
standing beneath the bluest skies,
above sparkling water,
and surrounded by those we love.

Thank you for our families for
being there and to all
the warm wishes we’ve received
from those who weren’t.

I created a photobook of the pictures that Kevin took for us and this is the cover that J designed for it using the same silhoutte.

The back of the photobook. That was the date we took the pictures.

I wish I could show you all the actual book. It looks gorgeous with the cover and all the beautiful pictures that Kevin took inside. It is one of my favorite photobooks that I’ve created.

This is the photo where the silhoutte is from

photo by KVW photo

I am so lucky to have such talented people in my life.

And to all of you, since I can’t send a card to each and every one of you, I wanted to give you this!

all photos by style.ish unless otherwise noted

photography Uncategorized wedding

Wedding Day: Behind the Scenes

Post author By tiffany
Post date January 27, 2009
16 Comments on Wedding Day: Behind the Scenes

Like I mentioned before, J had brought his camera with him and either he or his dad were taking pictures along the way. It was kind of neat as it seemed like the professional pictures were like the “movie” and our pictures were like the “behind the scenes” so it was fun to have everything documented.

Just a random selection from our camera:

The wedding coordinator at Tensing Pen had set aside this cottage for us to rest and keep our stuff in. I loved this doorway, it looks like it belongs in a fairytale. J snapped this picture of me before the ceremony started when we had a quiet moment together.

The view of where the ceremony took place. Those black rocks right in front had been completely submerged in water the days before.

Our awesome photographers in action! Punam and her husband Andrew.

The scary bridge that you can see on our video. It was really super scary during the hurricane as the water would be coming up to it but I was brave enough to try it out on the sunny day, even in my wedding dress!

This was taken during the time we were taking these pictures.

Oh goodness, my dress! I had to hold it up or else I would trip. It was so tiring lifting up all those layers. I finally just let go of it at the end of the night and it got completely soaked at the bottom (it had rained at the end of the night). It was gross and dirty when I brought it home but I didn’t care, I definitely got good use out of it.

I decided not to do a really long review of all my vendors so here is my quick summary:

I highly recommend Tensing Pen as a venue for a destination wedding. The property is beyond amazing and the staff is fabulous as well. Planning is a bit hard because communication is not the easiest working with them but once you are there, they make sure you are taken care of. Food was awesome and every meal there was fantastic. They took care of every detail that I had asked for even down to the flowers on the cake.

I used Tai Floral (Tensing Pen’s recommended florist) and they were a bit hard to work with but in the end I got what I wanted. I was disappointed in my bouquet (if you notice in my pictures, it rarely makes an appearance) but it was probably my fault that I wasn’t that clear with them. The reception flowers were beautiful and they did a great job with my direction on them. They were pretty pricey, I certainly wished I hadn’t spend a couple hundred for my bouquet that I barely carried but I don’t regret using them.

The minister that Tensing Pen hired for us was fabulous! He was kind enough to stand to the side of us while performing the ceremony to keep the focus on just us which I thought was nice of him to think about. We officially got married in September but we wanted to have a nice ceremony while in Jamaica too. It didn’t save us that much money as we still had to pay for the minister’s services but it was definitely worth it.

photo by Punam Bean

We used Tensing Pen’s recommended transportation for all of our trips outside the resort and the drivers were always great and friendly. Just be sure to negotiate the rate before you get in the car. Sometimes they will charge by person which can make it pretty pricey for just a short ride.

For those of you have read through my wedding day posts I think you all know how much I love my pictures so highly recommend Punam Bean Photography for destination weddings. We could not have asked for anyone better to photograph our wedding. Everyone in my family is just in awe of all the great pictures we have of all of us.

all pictures by style-ish unless otherwise noted

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Wedding Day: in motion

As I mentioned previously my brother had accompanied us on our “day after” photo shoot with his video camera and also shot the ceremony. Here is the beautiful video that he created and edited for us. There are no words to express how much I love this video. It shows the hurricane (you will have to wait until the end to see the good stuff) and the love and joy that we felt that day. Pictures are one thing but watching this video easily brings me back to how much love I felt that day. It truly was the happiest day of my life.

Enjoy!

My Sister & Jared’s Full Wedding Video – All Redrock M2 Wedding from Billy is my real name on Vimeo.

It was no easy feat for him to film all of this, check out the humongous tripod that he lugged around everywhere!

He is available for hire! Email me for details.

Uncategorized wedding

Wedding Day: T+J

We made sure to take some time before and after the ceremony to take pictures around Tensing Pen. The sparkling water and the blue sky made for the perfect backdrop.

Here are a sprinkling of my favorites:

Photos by who? Punam Bean, of course!

Uncategorized wedding

Wedding Day: The Reception

Post author By tiffany
Post date January 14, 2009
16 Comments on Wedding Day: The Reception

Since the resort had been evacuated the night before, there were only a few guests left on the property but it really was just all about us that night. We had the restaurant all to ourselves and we started just about the time the sun was setting so it was absolutely gorgeous.

Our table and the amazing view

Shots only brides love, the details:

We created the menus at home along with the “double happiness”* ribbon and then assembled everything when we got there. J designed the menu to have the place cards be attached to the menu which worked out perfectly and was easy to put together.

Our napkins and table runner were embroidered by a friend of my mother in law’s. My mother in law actually hemmed the napkins and table runner herself. I spent so long trying to find dark gray napkins and never found any that met my standards so I went to the fabric store and bought this beautiful fabric along with the pink embroidery thread so that it could be made exactly how I wanted. It turned out beautiful and now we have custom napkins to use when we throw dinner parties and such.

My vision for the table was never anything complicated. When you have a view of the water and the sunset like we did, there was just no need for overly complicated flowers or tall centerpieces. I went with my favorite flower, the orchid, and had the florist place them in square vases which gave it a modern feel. The orchids paired really nicely with the hints of gray on the table. I felt it was modern, sleek and pretty which was exactly what I was going for.

In between the flowers we put beautiful mirror candle stands that I had bought a few months ago and packed along with the dark grey candle holders and tea lights to put in them. I had packed everything oh so carefully and when we landed in Jamaica everything was intact so I was very happy. But of course, the hurricane. We had a couple of casualties from having to evacuate so many times and one of the candle holders broke so we had to make do with one missing. We played around with it and then took out two for both the candle stands as one missing just looked weird. Minor issue and everything still looked great. Sometimes, you just gotta improvise.

photo by my brother

Dinner was delicious. They restaurant at Tensing Pen is stellar and the food that night was amazing. Everyone agreed that it was the best meal of the entire trip.

We had started out outside on the deck, but drops of rain started coming down so the staff stepped in and swiftly moved the table into the restaurant and we went on with the night. It was such a smooth transition that it was something that I barely even remembered.

And then it was time for the cake

Just a simple two tier white cake with mango filling but it was the BEST cake I’ve ever eaten. Seriously, I’ve had good cake before but this cake was the ultimate. Fondant usually is not the best tasting but they somehow made the fondant taste really good. Everyone asked for seconds and since the wedding was officially done, I stuffed myself with a second piece as well!

J watched me cut the cake because he didn’t want the “cheesy cake cutting picture” (his words not mine)

And with champagne in one hand, I kissed my husband at the end of the night

and said goodbye to our wonderful, magical day.

photos by Punam Bean unless otherwise noted

* I am Chinese (Taiwanese, to be exact) and it is tradition to have the double happiness symbol at weddings. Even though we did not have a traditional Chinese wedding, I still wanted to incorporate it somehow.

Previously on the Wedding Day Series:
Part 1: The Venue
Part 2: The Drama
Part 3: The Morning of
Part 4: The “Day After” Shoot
Part 5: The Damage
Part 6: Family Time
Part 7: The Ceremony

Beach Wedding Dress Code

Where to shop for beach wedding guest dresses

Related Post: 50+ Petite Friendly dresses to wear to summer wedding

Related Post: Cute date night dresses from casual to fancy

40 Dresses to wear to a beach wedding

Floral / Printed Dress

Bright Colored

Wrap Dress

Cocktail Dress

Maxi Dress

Open Back

Mini Dress

Tiered Dress

Looking for more wedding style inspiration? Check out the below!