What to Wear to an Outdoor Wedding as a Guest

After going to more than a few catering halls and restaurants for weddings, being invited to an outdoor celebration can be refreshing. Feeling a cool breeze on your skin as you eat dinner and dancing under the stars and twinkling lights is one of the loveliest ways to spend an evening—especially when surrounded by family and friends. As wonderful as they are, however, outdoor nuptials can also come with some dress code confusion, and trying to figure out the appropriate attire for an al fresco affair can leave you second-guessing yourself. Luckily, there are a few tips guests can follow to dress up for this type of celebration.

According to Grace Thomas, founder and lead stylist of Builtgracefully, "The venue will give you an idea of how formal the event may be," she explains. "The location really does set the tone for the attire. Generally, a wedding on the beach would be more casual than a wedding set in a vineyard or at an outdoor resort."

You'll also have to consider elements—like the locale and the temperature—when choosing an outfit to wear. "Will you be walking on sand or grass? A flat shoe or block heel will be your best option," Thomas shares. "For a warmer day, you'll want to wear materials that are breathable like linen or cotton. If you're in a chiller climate, adding a suit jacket for men or a shawl for women will help you stay warm throughout the night."

For those searching for more style tips, we asked Thomas to further break down what to wear to an outdoor wedding. Read on for more.

Here's What to Wear to an Outdoor Wedding

Before you start your shopping journey, it's absolutely important to be aware of the dress code. For most weddings, you'll likely find the couple's fashion specifications on the invitation, wedding website, or both. However, if a dress code isn't noted anywhere, it's perfectly fine to text the bride or groom for clarification or ask one of their close family members or friends.

Once you're aware of the guidelines, your next step is to consider the time of year and season, as highlighted below.

Fall

When choosing an outfit for a fall outdoor wedding, use the hues of the season as inspiration for your look. "A palette of gold, orange, rust, or sapphire are beautiful colors to wear during this season," notes Thomas. "If you're attending a wedding in early fall, a dusty blue is another great color to choose from."

What's more, it's important to keep the weather in mind since autumn typically isn't too cold, but can still get quite chilly in the evening. "Look for a dress with sleeves, a lightweight suit, or a pashmina or blazer to wear over your dress," Thomas notes.

For men, specifically, Thomas recommends taking advantage of warmer dark tones when selecting a suit, like navy, brown, and charcoal. "Since it tends to be milder in the fall, you likely won't need a heavy coat, so you can make a statement with your suit jacket," she adds. "Look for fabrics like cotton or wool-linen blends, which will provide a little warmth."

Winter

You almost definitely won't be attending an outdoor wedding during the middle of a snowstorm, but winter weddings can still be on the cooler side, even in places with warmer climates. Thus, layering is key for women, as is picking an outfit made with warm materials like wool or velvet. Deeper colors are also going to look more on-trend, and black and jewel tones will be more appropriate than pastel or floral prints.

As for layering, always think of a warm piece as part of your look rather than an add-on. "Think about the outfit in pieces: a jacket will be a key item to your outfit, so something a bit more formal will be best, such as a long wool or peacoat," Thomas says. Matching your jacket to your dress is not a bad idea as well.

Men should also look for warmer fabrics, like a wool-blend suit. "Tweed is a great fabric for a winter season wedding as it'll look the part and keep you warm," Thomas suggests. "If you're in a really cold climate, make sure to accessorize with a scarf and gloves, which is where you can add a little print or color to make your outfit pop."

Spring

In the spring, both men and women will want to play with lighter, brighter hues to lean into this cheery time of year. "Your color palette expands this season into florals and brighter and bolder colors," Thomas says. "Think romantic pinks and reds. Light blue is another beautiful color to incorporate into your dress this season. Pastels will always be a great choice for any spring wedding." Thomas also recommends that men consider light blue suits, instead of the standard black getup, depending on the exact dress code.

Summer

If attending an outdoor summer wedding, it's important to dress as if you're expecting to be hot the entire celebration (after all, it is the summertime). Meaning, strapless or sleeveless dresses made with linen, chiffon, or lace are perfect for women, while linen suits are a lovely choice for men.

Aside from that, Thomas recommends that guests wear light and bright clothing. "Opt for bright colors such as blues, pinks, and yellows, or patterns that incorporate these colors," she shares. "Colors like light blue and beiges are great options for jackets, pants, and suits this season."