Beach Wedding Guest Attire

We are having our wedding on a beach in Florida and I dont expect my guests to be formal. I think what you said would work perfectly fine. The sun dress with sandals for yourself and a button up short sleeve with shorts or pants (whichever he prefers) for your husband would be perfectly fine.

I think you are good. We went to a wedding in Jamaica last summer, and everyone kept asking what they wanted everyone to wear, so eventually the coupld emailed everyone, which was helpful! We found out that heels were fine because just the ceremony was on the beach (I did wedges), but we had no clue what my FH should wear, and that all depends. I would ask the couple. I wouldn't feel weird about it, SO many people asked the couple whose wedding we went to, promisE!

I would hope you are good with that, but then, I don't know your cousin.

It kind of depends on the wedding. Some beach weddings are more formal than others. Myself, I would wear a nice sundress and dress it up. Something I would wear to a fancy ladies day out. Sandals are fine so long as they are nice sandals and not like flip flops. For a man I personally would put my husband in khakis (I say put because he always asks me what to wear to events and prefers I choose for him) and a button down unless it was truly roasting and then I would figure something else out. I wouldn't have him in shorts unless it was clearly a *super* casual thing AND it was really hot both. Even for a really casual wedding I would still have him in nice khakis just because I personally think a wedding just by being a wedding deserves a certain level of formality. If it was made clear the couple was ok with it and it was like 100 degrees then I wouldn't make him suffer for no reason, but that's about it.

A sundress sounds fine, nice sandals (like gladiators not flip flops) or wedges sound fine, but please, please consider some nice, light dress pants or slacks for your husband. Shorts are not ok.

You could also bring all options for him and then see what others are doing. The resort we went to didn't allow men in shorts. Well, I mean, I don't think they wouldn't serve them food if they were in shorts, but even some of the restaurants at the resort required pants. So it really depends, and isn't crazy to ask about.

Thanks all for your comments!

I will ask my cousin what would be best. I know she's been to the resort before so she would know what the resort allows and what level of formality she wants.

Shorts are not okay for men, no matter what the setting. IMO. I was slightly annoyed that my Man of Honor's dad wore shorts, I didn't notice until the pictures, but then again..it didn't change anything. I was glad he was there!

Can you ask your cousin if she has any preferences? I attended a black-tie optional beach wedding last year (but that was specified in the invite)...I would think what you're describing would be good, unless your cousin plans on specifying a dress code.

I agree with no shorts. I went to a beach wedding and wore a short, sleeveless dress and flat sandals. My FH wore regular dress shoes (though I think something like boat shoes might work), dress pants and a long sleeve, button down shirt.

I would wear sandals or easy to slip off shoes. I think a nicer sundress would be appropriate. They have the prettiest maxi dresses these days.

ETA: I would say no shorts. Tommy Bahama type pants or linen pants for your FH.

Sundresses and some pretty jeweled sandals, a nice maxi dress in a nicer fabric.

Noooonono to shorts. I'm getting married at the beach and I REEEEALLY hope nobody wears shorts. Similarly.. this may be up to personal taste of the couple, but I also think the whole tommy bahama hawaiian shirt thing is a no go too.

Think lightweight but nicely tailored linen, chambray, seersucker, summer cotton pants or summer suit. Generally you wont need a tie, even with a summer suit. Nice, leather type mens sandals are okay, but dont show up in rubber flipflops.

It's the beach! I guess maybe Maui has me island style to the max! In fact, I will be wearing flip flops at my own wedding and so will FH! In Hawaii, we wear our slippers everywhere! And I'm LoL-ing at all of your "no shorts" comments! It's the beach FFS! Who doesn't wear shorts to the beach? Really? Honestly, I'd be annoyed at someone who did both a wedding on the beach and a formal wedding. Pick one and go with it because formal wear doesn't work on the beach.

@Zoe its still a wedding, though -- which imo, demands at least a base level of formality unless the couple has specifically said its casual.

And just because someone says "no shorts" doesnt mean they're demanding ball gowns and tuxes. There is a whole host of options that are a happy medium between the two.

On our honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico (at LeBlanc Spa & Resort, which was just voted top 5 resorts in the world - I think #1 in Mexico, so just saying, it was really swanky) we witnessed a beautiful (destination) wedding. It almost made me feel jealous that we didn't do a destination! The bride had on a gorgeous traditional gown, and the guests were dressed exactly how you described what you are thinking of wearing. Also, the ceremony wasn't on the sand, but was overlooking the ocean. It was held on a veranda type thing. I mention this because of your concern over heels. The ground was flat where the ceremony was held. Not sure if that helps.

Thanks all!

I went and asked my cousin what we should wear for the wedding. It is on a beach so sandals are best. I have a really cute pair of jeweled gladiator sandals that will be perfect. I also have a couple sun dresses so I'll look through what I have and pick one. Or maybe just bring them all to wear while I'm there. lol

As for men's clothing, they are ok with shorts. But I agree with most of you ladies that it just feels too informal. Their wedding is less formal overall, but I think I will suggest to my husband that he wears his tan coloured dress pants instead of shorts.

Having officiated over 1,000 beach weddings, I have seen everything! I've had 3 brides in white bikinis; a couple in shorts, flip-flop, and matching FL souvenir T-shirts; tuxes & ballgowns; and everything in between.

Unless the groom & groomsmen are wearing shorts (I've seen many in tan shorts with white shirts), I don't think male guests should. Here, Tommy Bahama shirts are popular, too. No T-shirts, please!

Sundresses and sandals are popular with the women.