When you receive an invitation to a beach wedding – it will sometimes give you an idea of what kind of wedding it’s going to be. After all, just because it’s on the beach doesn’t mean that the bride and groom will be getting married in shorts and a sundress!
So, because we get this question so often – we thought we would create a “cheat sheet” for you to send along with your invitations to your guests.
Here is a PDF version of this guide. Print it and send it out to your guest list.
We do recommend to all our brides and grooms that they let their guests know how formal or informal their wedding will be. The main goal is that everyone is as comfortable as possible throughout the ceremony and reception.
We have planned formal weddings complete with suits and ties and gowns and they have been beautiful.
We have also worked on barefoot weddings complete with shorts and sundresses and they were also very lovely!
It’s true that most beach weddings tend to be casual and here in Florida – casual wear is the accepted norm every day of the year anyway.
But if you intend for your wedding to be a bit more formal then please let your guests know so that they can dress accordingly.
In the end, it’s YOUR wedding – so make it what you want it to be!
We work hard to make our weddings as wonderful as they can be not just for the bride and groom but for their guests as well.
White Tie means…
The MOST formal of all events! A white tie wedding (whether it’s on the beach or not) means glamour and bling.
For Her: Consider a full length ball gown complete with dramatic jewelry, glamorous makeup and hair style – the whole 9 yards.
For Him: Consider a formal tuxedo with tails, black shoes and those fancy cufflings you rarely wear!
Black Tie means…
For Her: You can wear a long evening gown if you like or just a cocktail dress – which if you’re on the beach may be more comfortable. Jewelry and hair style can be slightly more casual as well.
For Him: A tuxedo can still be worn but you can just wear a jacket – no tails needed. But – a nice suit is also welcomed in black tie affairs.
Cocktail Dress means…
For Her: You can skip the long gown and be totally appropriate with a cocktail dress or even just a dressy type of outfit. Something you would wear out to a very nice dinner date.
For Him: A nice suit and tie would be suitable here. Of course, if you are the type of person that never wears a tie – don’t feel obligated. A nice jacket over a crisply ironed shirt will be perfect.
Beach Formal means…
For Her: A nice sundress with sandals works perfectly at beach formal weddings. You can even skip the jewelry and go with the bare minimum. Same goes with makeup and hairstyle. Keep it simple but pretty and elegant.
For Him: A simple suit made of light fabric is ideal for men at beach weddings in Florida. No need to wear closed shoes either if you don’t want to. Sandals will work just fine.
Dressy Casual means…
Essentially – dressy casual means the same as beach formal. A nice summer dress with sandals for her. Either nice lightweight pants or shorts with untucked summer shirts are just fine paired with either closed shoes or sandals.
Casual or Daytime means…
For Her: A nice dress or skirt would work here. You can even get away with Bermuda shorts as long as they’re paired with a nice shirt and shoes. Think of something you would wear out to a lunch at a nice restaurant. Not fancy but not McDonalds!
For Him: Almost anything goes here. A nice pair of pants and a shirt, shorts and a shirt, a light jacket, sandals or shoes. Pretty much whatever you would feel most comfortable in at the beach (except for your bathing suit of course).
General Tips On Florida Beach Wedding Attire
- Light fabrics are definitely a must, for men and women.
- Minimize the jewelry and accessories such as scarves. It can get very windy on the beach.
- Light colored clothing is best as it won’t conduct heat as much as darker colored materials.
- Be careful of dresses that may flare up in the wind. You don’t want to be constantly holding your dress down throughout the ceremony and/or reception.
- Don’t forget the sunscreen!!!!
- If you want or need to wear a hat make sure it’s pinned down so that you avoid chasing it down the beach or worse, into the ocean water.
- Ladies – skip the heels.
If you have any questions about a Florida beach wedding – just give us a call at 850-650-1515 or email us. We’re happy to help you!