beach Wedding: Short for boys/long dresses for girls?

Can you post a pic of your BM dresses? I think it’ll look fine as long as the top of the dresses are somewhat casual (strapless, spaghetti straps, etc).


I do have a concern about the heat though. Are you providing a tent to cover everyone or parasols??? Many guests can’t take heat or direct sunlight. My skin (even with sunblock) wouldn’t last more than 5 minutes, I couldn’t attend your ceremony. 🥵 What time are you having it?

I think shorter dresses would coordinate better with the casual look of the guys. But it depends on the style of the long dresses. A long flowy maxi style dress would work. But a standard BM dress might not balance the guys as much. Can you share a pic of your BM dress?

I wouldn’t do ties or bow ties with those shirts seeing as there is no shirt collar to tie the tie/bow tie around.


This is a stylistic mixed bag. Are you talking long, jersey maxis for the bridesmaid or soft, flowy chiffon? I’d look into breathable fabrics for your wedding party... like linen pants and shirts for the men. And the guys might need undershirts to keep from sweating through their shirts, it can be over 100 degrees plus 100% humidity in e Carolinas in July. I personally wouldn’t mix shorts with chiffon, it would look to me like two groups going to two separate events.

View Quoted Comment Parasols ! Luckily it's in the early evening at 7 pm but rather be safe than sorry. Should be much cooler than 3 pm but still

I reread your post.... with hot temps, shorter dresses for sure.

I’m from NC and I’ve seen someone faint during a hot June wedding. Plus all the sand. I would definitely do short dresses.

View Quoted Comment Whew! I don’t know what the temp is like at 7 pm but at least there won’t be blazing sun. Wheeew.

I’m from NC and am all too familiar with our hot, but more so our humid summers! I don’t think having your girls in long dresses is a good idea. Short dresses would be much more comfortable for them. Or if you’re really set on long dresses, maybe a high-low or tea length dress could be a happy medium?

Since you are doing a 7 pm wedding I would have the guys wear pants. That’s more of a night time wedding and I think shorts are a bit casual and with your girls wearing long dresses it will look more balanced. We got married in May in Florida on the beach at 5:30 and it was warm but I’m the ceremony was short. At 7 on your bridal party should be fine.

I don't live in North Carolina and didn't get married there either, but we got married in July in Pennsylvania on one of the hottest days of the year. Our wedding was indoors and we attempted to do some outside photos but it was way too hot. The girls were in long dresses and we did two photos outside them moved inside. The guys in full tuxes did photos outside and they were really warn, but most of their photos were in the shade so they weren't in the direct sunlight like my photos with my girls. I have been to North Carolina multiple times and it is normally pretty warm. We were there once in February and it was in the 70s so I can only imagine how warm it is in July. I know for our wedding even at 7 at night it was still really hot. I wouldn't put the girls in long dresses especially if the guys are going to be in shorts. Long dresses are more formal and shorts aren't really formal at all.

View Quoted Comment Thanks cyndy ! Good point