What to Wear, and Where: Dress Codes for Wedding Venues

In collaboration with Oscar Collins

When choosing your wedding location, it’s important to remember that there are different unspoken dress codes for wedding venues. From gardens to rustic farms, different settings require varying levels of formality.

Here are six types of venues and their corresponding dress codes to help your guests look and feel their best on your special day.

1. Outdoor or Garden Wedding

When talking about dress codes for wedding venues, it’s important to remember that outdoor weddings often require guests to wear casual attire. Jeans, T-shirts, tank tops, sneakers and flip-flops are inappropriate unless stated on your invitation. Casual is one of the most relaxed dress codes, allowing guests to play with their wardrobe.

You may also consider semi-formal and cocktail dress codes. Semi-formal or dressy casual attire entails light colors, airy fabrics and below-the-knee dresses. Consequently, a cocktail dress code balances elegance and comfort. These options don’t require heels or stilettos for women, but men may wear dress shoes, such as Oxfords, derbies and Chelsea boots.

For women:

• Casual: Summer sundress, jumpsuit, cutout dress, skirt set with ruffles or sequins, or a business casual outfit
• Semi-formal: Below-the-knee dress, dressy skirt and top, slip dress or elegant pantsuit
• Cocktail: Knee-length or midi skirt, structured dress or a sleek black dress

For men:

• Casual: Button-down shirt, khaki pants and blazer
• Semi-formal: Relaxed chinos, a button-down shirt and a light sports jacket for a daytime wedding, darker hues with a tie for an evening celebration. Your tie should be darker than your shirt but lighter than your blazer.
• Cocktail: Tailored suit with or without a tie

2. Beach or Destination Wedding

The dress code for a beach or destination wedding depends on the location’s formality but is primarily casual. All guests should wear comfortable materials like linen and cotton, staying away from heavier choices like wool. Women should avoid wearing heels and opt for dressy flat sandals or espadrilles.

Let your dress code mimic the colors of the beach, sea and sand. Blue, turquoise, terra cotta, lime green, tangerine and yellow are all appropriate colors. You may also encourage your guests to wear prints and patterns like florals.

For women: A maxi dress, tea-length dress or any loose-fitting outfit, especially around the bottom

For men: Slacks, light-colored button-down shirt and suit jacket

3. Dress Codes for Wedding Venues: Church Weddings

Simplicity is key when it comes to church weddings. Dress codes can vary greatly depending on your and your partner’s religious affiliation and the type of church where the ceremony will occur. As a general guideline, a church wedding often calls for a modest dress code.

For instance, wearing a hat or sunglasses is inappropriate in most Catholic weddings. Women should wear dresses with more coverage, while men must follow a black-tie or formal dress code.

For women: Encourage wearing a dress with a conservative neckline and hemline. Ask guests to bring a shawl for summer or a cashmere knit in fall or winter to cover the upper body if needed.

For men: Tuxedo, solid colored bow-tie or necktie, white dress shirt and dress shoes

4. Courthouse Wedding

While bringing guests during a courthouse wedding ceremony is not required, you may choose to share this moment with a few special people. This type of wedding tends to have a casual dress code, given the nature of the venue. Consider adding the following attire instructions to your invitation:

For women: Sundress with sandals or jumpsuit with block heels

For men: A collared shirt, khaki pants, loafers or boat shoes

5. Farm or Rustic Barn Wedding

Country chic, boho or rustic-themed weddings call for something colorful and flowy unless you want your ceremony to be a black-tie affair. Choose from semi-formal, country or festive dress codes. Women must wear wedges, block heels or cowboy boots to ensure comfort, while men can opt for a modern cowboy look.

For women:

• Semi-formal: Below-the-knee dress, a dressy skirt and a top, or a long black dress
• Country: Flowy dress made of breezy fabrics or denim jumpsuit
• Festive: Bright-colored dress with playful patterns

For men:

• Semi-formal: Light sports jacket, button-down shirt and chinos
• Country: Light-colored button-down shirt, blazer, denim pants and cowboy boots
• Festive: Colorful suit and tie with playful socks

6. Yacht Wedding

A yacht wedding has a standard dress code, unlike a church wedding. However, you can assume you and your partner will wear more formal attire than your guests. The most important thing is to remind your guests to avoid heels and opt for comfortable flats that won’t slip and slide.

For women: Encourage wearing a light, breezy dress or a jumpsuit. If you’re hosting an evening yacht wedding party, encourage female guests to wear a sophisticated cocktail dress.

For men: Instruct male guests to wear a polo shirt made of breathable fabric, well-fitted chinos or Bermuda shorts, and boat shoes. A well-tailored blazer with a crisp white shirt should suffice for an evening celebration.

Choose a Dress Code for Your Wedding

Choose a dress code that reflects your and your significant other’s style and your wedding venue’s overall ambience. Use these guidelines to confidently select a dress code to help your guests decide what to wear on your big day.