Spring weddings mark the start of Spring Summer wedding season (and time to start swooning over all the colours Spring introduces in Nature). When planning an outfit for a Spring or Summer wedding (or any season for that matter), the most important thing to remember is never to upstage the Bride. Wearing all white is of course a no go, as great as white is in the spring. Keep the all white dress for a day at the races, when they are just perfect. After a cold and what feels like endless Winter, you’ll want to incorporate lively hues and floral dresses into your wedding guest outfits.
Look for fabrics like silk, chiffon, and soft satin. Depending on the month the wedding takes place in, a lightweight wrap or pashmina might be necessary for the evenings in early or late summer.
Avoiding the temptation to dress more formal than you believe the couple will be. Don’t dress in fashion that screams for excessive attention. If wearing hats and headpieces, the general rule is to not wear one bigger than the Mother of the Bride. If you don’t know the Mother of the Brides outfit, but know her to be petite, then assume she won’t be wearing a big hat, so neither should you. Pillbox, Smartie, Button, and Disc headpieces are as large as a guest should go, unless they know the Mother of the Bride is wearing big. Some brides nowadays will encourage their guests to wear a hat, and you could then go a little bigger since you know lot’s will be wearing them. I would still stick to nothing wider than your shoulders though.
Most weddings are semi-formal. If the invitation doesn't give you any clues, then this will certainly be the couples expectations of their guests. Semi-formal dresses are the best choice for what to wear to a spring wedding. Spring weddings are also the perfect time to consider Jumpsuits in Summer fabrics. Jumpsuits are formal, but a little warmer than dresses for what can still be cool in the evenings.Is it a Church wedding? If so, be sure to stay a little modest. Midi Length, either in A line or pencil, would be the hem length to look for. Mini of course is too short, and maxi length (in my personal opinion) is for the Bridesmaids, or Black Tie weddings. Look for a dress that can be worn with a formal jacket, or bolero. For Mother of the Bride or Mother of the Groom, it might be a jacket designed for the Dress. For other guests the jacket or bolero doesn’t have to be matching in colour, but one that compliments, and smartens the outfit for the ceremony. With a jacket on, you'll look church-appropriate. Later on, take the jacket off for the reception and dance floor.
To create an appropriate Summer wedding guest outfit, here are our some outfits and ideas I've found to inspire you.
This post includes affiliate links - suggestions of items I've hunted out on the Internet for you. If you see anything you like, click the links and decide to buy the suggestion, then the retailer will give me a little commission (maybe even enough to buy a latte) to thank me.
The Hat is: Etsy. Click for Hat (International).
Earrings: Pearl Source. Click for Earrings.
The Dress is: Anna Mason. Click for Dress (USA).
Eyeshadow: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Eyeshadow (USA).
Lipstick: Bobbi Brown. Click for Lippy (USA).
Bag: Kate Spade. Click for Bag (International).
Nail Varnish: Essie. Click for Nail Varnish.
Shoes: Marion Parke. Click for Shoes (USA).
The headpiece illustrated with this outfit is from www.dress-2-impress.com. Click Here for Headpiece.
Earrings: Fjyouria. Click for Earrings.
Dress: Ted Baker. Click for Dress (International).
Eyeshadow: Huda Beauty. Click for Eyeshadow.
Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lipstick (UK).
Bag: Accessoryo. Click for Bag.
Nail Polish: O.P.I. Click for Nail Polish.
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik. Click for Shoes (International).
The Headpiece / Hat is by: Georgina Blyth. Click Here for Headpiece (International).
Dress: Adrianna Papell. Click for Dress (USA) .
Earrings: Sweetv. Click for Earrings
Eyeshadow: Tom Ford. Click for Eyeshadow (UK).
Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lipstick (International).
Bag: Amazon. Click for Bag (International).
Nail Varnish: Essie. Click for Nail Varnish.
Shoes: Jimmy Choo. Click for Shoes (International).
If you are Mother of the Bride, you might like to go a little more matchy matchy. Popular colours for Summer Mother of the Bride include: Baby Blue, Baby Pink, Mushroom, Champagne, Champagne Gold, Blush and Pale Taupe.
Keep the lines of the dress, simple and sophisticated, and you can play with fun hats. If the dress is busier then keep the lines of the hat simpler.
For more ideas on wearing Pastels you can also read the post on How to wear Pastels as a Grown Up.
The Hat is: Joanne Edwards. Click for Hat (International).
Earrings: Swarovski. Click for Earrings (International).
Dress is: Coast. Click for Dress.
Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lipstick (UK).
Eyeshadow: Tom Ford. Click for Eyeshadow (UK)
The Bag is: Diana Ulanova. Click for Bag (International).
Nail Polish: Rimmel. Click for Nail Polish (UK).
The Shoes: Malone Souliers. Click for Shoes (International).
The Headpiece with this outfit is: Dress-2-Impess.com. Click Here for Headpiece (International).
Earrings: Swarovski Store. Click for Earrings.
Dress: Ted Baker. Click for Dress (International) also available at: John Lewis (UK).
Eyeshadow: Tom Ford. Click for Eyeshadow (UK).
Lipstick: Guerlain. Click for Lippy (UK).
The Bag is: TrendStar. Click for Bag.
Nail Varnish: Rimmel. Click to see Nail Varnish.
Shoes: Prada. Click for Shoes (International).
The Hat is for Hire (UK) from: Dress-2-Impress. Click for Mother of the Bride Hat Hire (UK).
The Dress is: Roman. Click for Dress (UK).
Earrings: Swarovski. Click for Earrings.
Eyeshadow: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Eyeshadow (International).
Lipstick: L'Oreal. Click for Lippy (USA).
Bag: BGMIX. Click for Bag (International).
Nail Varnish: Rimmel. Click for Nail Varnish.
Shoes: Kurt Geiger. Click for Shoes (UK).
The Headpiece is: Dress-2-Impress.com. Click to see Floral Headpiece.
Dress is: Gina Bacconi. Click for Dress (UK).
Earrings: Etsy. Click for Earrings.
Eyeshadows: Dior. Click for Eyeshadows.
Nail Polish: YSL. Click for Nail Polish.
Shoes: Malone Souliers. Click for Shoes.
Bag: Furla. Click to see Bag.
Graphic Floral Print dresses are always on trend. Floral dresses are the essence of feminine charm. Coral is a colour that you will find in 100’s of Floral prints. If you aren’t ready to wear a Coral tone on it’s own, then a bold floral print on a nude / neutral / grey or white background is perfect. You can then select accessories in the Coral colour to wear with the outfit.
Remember: If choosing florals or other highly graphic prints, then select accessories in single colour. Don’t try wearing a busy, statement hat, and a graphic print. Allow just one of them to be the star.
For Lot's More ideas on wearing Coral you can also read the post on How to Wear Coral.
The Floral Hat: Etsy. Click for Hat (International)
Dress: Kay Unger. Click for Dress (USA).
Pashmina: Amazon. Click for Pashmina (USA).
Earrings: Swarovski. Click for Earrings (USA).
Eye Shadows: Lancome. Click for Eye Palette (USA).
Lippy: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lippy (USA).
Bag: Brahmin. Click for Bag (USA).
Shoes: Kenneth Cole. Click for Shoes (USA).
Nail Varnish: ILNP. Click for Nail Varnish (USA).
The Floral Hat: Etsy. Click for Hat
Dress: Eliza J. Click for Dress (USA).
Eye Shadows: Dior. Click for Eye Palette (USA).
Lippy: Mac. Click for Lippy (USA).
Bag: Amazon. Click for Bag.
Shoes: Malone Souliers. Click for Shoes (International).
Nail Varnish: Chantecaille. Click for Nail Varnish (USA).
Nothing says summer like colourful floral print on a white or contrasting background. You simply can’t go wrong with a Floral Dress for a Summer wedding, matched with a complimenting hat, headpiece and accessories.
Look for prints that feature many shades, giving you a wide choice when looking for your accessories and hat to match.
Dress is Phase Eight. Click for Dress (UK).
Hatinator Hat: Dress-2-Impress Hat Hire. Click for Hatinator (UK).
Earrings: Rizilia. Click for Earrings (UK).
Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lipstick (UK).
Eyeshadow: Clarins. Click for Eyeshadow (UK).
Bag: Casper. Click for Bag (International).
The Shoes: Rainbow Club. Click for Shoes (UK).
Nail Varnish: Essie. Click for Nail Polish.
The headpiece illustrated with this outfit is Dress-2-Impress.com Click for Headpiece.
Dress: Banjanan. Click for Dress (USA) .
Eyeshadow: Clinique. Click for Eyeshadow (USA).
Mis-Match Earrings: Betsey Johnson. Click for Earrings (USA).
The Bag is: Amazon. Click for Bag (International).
Shoes: Dolce & Gabbana. Click for Shoes (USA).
Nail Varnish: ILNP. Click for Nail Polish.
The headpiece illustrated with this outfit is: Kristine Rosa. Click for Headpiece (International).
Earrings: Chic Bijoux. Click for Earrings.
Dress is: ML Monique Lhuillier. Click for Dress.
Eyeshadow: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Eyeshadow.
Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lipstick.
Bag: Charming Tailor. Click for Bag.
Nail Polish: ILNP. Click for Nail Polish.
Shoes: Amina Muaddi. Click for Shoes (USA).
The Dress is: Roman Originals Click to see Dress (UK).
Hat: Arturo Rios Click for Hat (International).
Eyeshadow: Dior Click for Eyeshadow.
Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury Click for Lipstick.
Bag: Diana Ulanova Click for Bag (International).
Nail Varnish: Essie Click for Nail Varnish.
Shoes: Head Over Heels Click for Shoes (UK).
The Hat is: Joanne Edwards. Click for Hat (International).
Dress: Hobbs. Click for Dress (UK). or for at Bloomingdales (USA).
Bee Earrings: Olivia Burton. Click for Earrings (UK).
Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lipstick (UK).
Eyeshadow: Tom Ford. Click for Eyeshadow (UK)
The Bag is: Diana Ulanova. Click for Bag (International).
The Nail Polish is: Essie. Click for Nail Polish.
Shoes: Charles + Keith. Click for Shoes (UK)
The Headpiece is: Dress-2-Impress. Click for Headpiece.
Dress: Roman Originals. Click for Dress (UK).
Earrings: Ted Baker. Click for Earrings.
The Eyeshadow: Clarins. Click for Eyeshadow (UK).
The Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lipstick (UK).
The Bag: Leah Ward. Click for Bag.
Shoes: Dorothy Perkins. Click for Shoes (UK).
Nail Varnish: Essie. Click for Nail Polish.
The Headpiece is: Joanne Edwards. Click for Headpiece.
Dress: Ted Baker. Click for Dress (USA).
Earrings: Vince Camuto. Click for Earrings (USA).
Eyeshadow: Dior. Click for Eyeshadow (USA).
The Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lipstick (USA).
The Bag: Brahmin. Click for Bag (USA).
Vail Varnish: ILNP. Click for Nail Polish.
Shoes: Pedro Garcia. Click for Shoes (USA).
Below is a Gallery of other ideas for dressing the part at a Summer Wedding, or Day at the Races. Click images to be taken straight to retailers:
View: Phase Eight Headband (UK). This elegant padded plum velvet headband features a beautiful flower centrepiece, accented with a flourish of netting. Also available in Antique Rise Pink, and Lipstick Red.
View: Mary Katrantzou - Mary Mare Shell Dress (International). Mary Katrantzou's fascination with digital prints is demonstrated by this white and orange Firenze dress from her warm-weather label Mary Mare. Breathable linen with a whimsical seashell print, trimmed with whisper-weight ostrich feathers around the hem.
View: Roman Originals Floral Dress (UK). Fitted midi dress in a beautiful floral print. Made from a comfortable stretch fabric, with a mock wrap style that cinches in the waist and flatters the bust.
View: Johanna Ortiz Floral Off-the Shoulder Dress (USA). Rich jungle florals are printed against this tailored strapless sheath dress. Off-the-shoulder sleeves can be removed for totally sleeveless body-con dress look.
View: Phase Eight (UK). Designed with a dramatic head to toe frill detail, the Cassie Dress is a style statement for your formal events this Summer. Cut in a sleeveless silhouette, this midi length dress is finished with an adjustable buckle belt to define your figure.
View: Ted Baker Maxi Dress (UK) and also for Ted Baker Maxi Dress (USA).
View: Gina Bacconi Natania Dress (UK). This dress will catch the eye with its colourful floral print. Featuring a modern off the shoulder stretch band, it's made from a soft print scuba perfect for summer events and parties.
View: Adrianna Papell Floral Dress (UK). Floral dress with a fit and flare shape, and bold floral print.
View: Rococo Sand Viola Dress (International). If you love roses in Summer, you'll love this lightweight tiered and lace dress, with a midi length perfect for Wedding guests in Summer.
View: Ted Baker Floral Dress (UK) or for from Ted Baker (USA).
View: Aquazzura Rainbow Shoes (International). After the Storm, Comes a Rainbow - Rainbow shoes for Summer 2020.
View: Hobbs Floral Dress (UK) or also at Bloomingdales (USA). Hobbs Spring Summer 2021 Floral Midi Dress.
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