Beach attire means swimsuit to me which I doubt you want. I would say dressy casual or even tropical semi-formal Answer from Concerned-23 on reddit.com
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/weddingplanning › beach & destination wedding dress code
r/weddingplanning on Reddit: Beach & destination wedding dress code
January 14, 2024 -

On our wedding day next year in our Costa Rican with a beach ceremony, my fiancée will be wearing a 'Guayabera' shirt. I'm creating the 'Save the Date,' and I'd like to guide our guests on attire. I’m thinking about leaving it for the actual invitation, but considering putting it on because it’s a destination wedding (?).

I don't want anything more formal than the Guayabera, (specifically for men) but I also want to maintain a certain level of elegance for our beachfront sunset wedding. Considering the hot province and the outdoor setting for both the ceremony and reception, what attire would you recommend for our guests?

I'm considering “cocktail attire” but open to suggestions. Some friends suggested either an all-white dress code or providing a color palette for guests to choose from. What are your thoughts?

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Don't choose a specific color or color palette. I know it's a trend on social media, but it's inconsiderate for your guests who shouldn't be expected to buy something to match your palette. I'd put information on your website, including pictures of suggestion dress styles. It sounds like you're having something beach casual, so describe khakis, linen or cotton pants for the men with similar shirts and casual, summer dresses or jumpsuits for the women. True cocktail attire sounds too dressy for a wedding where a groom wears a Guayabera.
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I know this thread is old but I just wrote a bunch of info on dress code for my wedding guests at a semi formal beach wedding and thought I’d share. I also wanted to make it non gendered so women can feel free to wear a seersucker suit, it’s welcoming to nonbinary folks, etc. —- “Cocktail beach wedding attire” means dress in a semi-formal style but beach friendly. (Note the typical weather at the ceremony time is 80 with sun and a breeze.) Imagine what you’d wear to a nice restaurant at the beach. If you wear a dress, think breezy maxi dress, lightweight fabric mini or midi dress, printed jumpsuit, and similar looks. Look for breathable fabric, fun prints — you might get hot if you wear a little black dress and heels. For shoes, consider dressy sandals, wedges, or chunky heels. You may want a wrap just in case the late night breeze gets cooler. For those who prefer to wear a shirt and pants, you don’t have to wear a jacket. If you do, a breathable sports coat or unique blazer in a fun print is welcome. Shoes are a little more casual (e.g., loafer, boat shoe). Consider fabrics like linen, khaki, or seersucker to stay comfortable. Avoid going as casual as shorts, denim, swimsuits, or flip flops!
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/weddingplanning › dress code for a beach wedding? do i just put “beach” ?
r/weddingplanning on Reddit: Dress code for a beach wedding? Do I just put “beach” ?
June 21, 2022 -

Needing a little help with guest attire for our destination wedding. It’s at a resort in Mexico on the beach. For a dress code, do I just tell people “beach attire?” Do I even need to specify? I have seen on the sub that guests like direction and leaving it completely open can be problematic which I get. I’m not sure what else to call “we’re going to be on the beach, in sand, dress comfortable and cool?” Beach casual? Is that a thing

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/weddingattireapproval › explain like i’m 5: beach formal
r/Weddingattireapproval on Reddit: Explain like i’m 5: Beach Formal
January 22, 2024 -

I am attending a “beach formal” wedding in Cancun in April - I don’t understand what the dress code means.

I assume a long dress - but like in a fun print? Wedge heeled sandals? For my husband I was thinking a cotton button down shirt and tan slacks?

I’m also usually a size 16 or 18 so I am limited in what stores/brands/websites carry clothes in my size.

Any direction/links would be helpful!

Also PS I’m so tired of shopping for dresses, every wedding I attend has a new dress code and I have to go spelunking for a dress. I am one wedding away from buying a pant suit. 😂

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/weddingattireapproval › destination wedding dress code wording
r/Weddingattireapproval on Reddit: Destination Wedding Dress Code Wording
March 31, 2023 -

I know y’all hate made up dress codes that confuse more that clarify , so I’m trying to make sure I’m not committing that sin.

The wedding will be at a restaurant in the jungle that has a lot of windows in order to show off a 270 lush rainforest view. It will be June so highs in late 80s.

I will be in a wedding dress and groom in a suit (possibly tan ). Ceremony and cocktail hour will be in daylight hours but it’ll get dark during the reception.

I’m thinking “tropical chic” meaning about cocktail attire or just under level of dress but encouraging bright colors , bold prints , lightweight fabric suits or even colored suits for men . Instead of traditional dresses , I wouldn’t be bothered if a lady went for a fancy 2 piece set or jumpsuit. Are there better words to convey that? I have a FAQ on the website where I’ve drafted language explaining the dress code in order to clarify.

Edit : Thanks for the feedback. Tropical Cocktail seems like the consensus .

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/femalefashionadvice › wedding season is upon us! what is the dress code for the event(s) you're attending this year and what are you planning to wear? any absurd/baffling dress code requests?
r/femalefashionadvice on Reddit: Wedding season is upon us! What is the dress code for the event(s) you're attending this year and what are you planning to wear? Any absurd/baffling dress code requests?
May 15, 2024 -

Full disclosure, I am a +1 at a bunch of weddings this year therefore this is a huge source of stress for me right now so I'm trying to commiserate and/or get a little inspiration LOL

Have you been set up for success with clear-cut instructions like "cocktail" or "black tie"?

Or has the happy couple cursed you with their whimsy, inviting attire like "fancy ranch" (sounds like a salad dressing btw), "elegant tropical", or perhaps "maritime boho goth"?

Thankfully my most confusing dress code is only "summer formal" but at least "Roman burlap carnival" would give me some direction

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Destinationweddingdetails
destinationweddingdetails.com › home › a guide to beach wedding attire for guests
A Guide to Beach Wedding Attire for Guests - Destination Wedding Details
September 28, 2025 - If the dress code is beach formal, you should wear a traditional suit and tie, especially if the reception is being held near the beach in a restaurant, resort ballroom, or on a yacht.
Find elsewhere
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Brides
brides.com › beach-wedding-attire-4842339
Beach Wedding Attire Ideas for Men and Women
April 16, 2020 - Semi-formal beach weddings allow printed dresses or blazers for men, but avoid loud patterns and sandals. While sandy shore weddings are a dream for many, these nuptials can cause some confusion amongst guests concerning what to wear.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/weddingattireapproval › what do i wear for a beach wedding?
r/Weddingattireapproval on Reddit: What do I wear for a beach wedding?
February 14, 2025 -

I’m a guy. It’s a beach wedding in the Dominican Republic. The pre-wedding dinner and party will be on Thursday and the wedding itself will be Friday. The pre-wedding dinner says cocktail attire and the wedding day attire says semi formal beach attire. It says to refrain from wearing white as this is reserved for the bride but I’m not sure if that just on wedding day.

I have a few long sleeve linen shirts, but I can never get the top button to button because of my weight so I just never bothered with wearing any ties even though I have some in my closet. I also have a white suit and a navy blue suit in my closet. Sorry this is my first beach wedding.

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u/johnnyr860 , thank you for posting. To obtain the best help, provide a time frame of the event & dress code. Dress links are frequently requested as well if you would place them in the comment section. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
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PRE-WEDDING DINNER Cocktail A small step above semi-formal (which we'll get to next), cocktail wedding attire is an extremely popular choice within the wedding space. This wedding guest dress code strikes a balance between elegant and comfortable and fancy and pared-back. Instead of a floor-length dress, women should opt for a tea-length, knee-length, or midi look. With cocktail attire, tuxedos are no longer an option, so men are required to wear a suit and tie, regardless of the setting.Luckily for you, semi formal does not require a suit or tie. You could wear your blue suit, but might be more comfortable if you found a linen suit. https://www.macys.com/shop/product/kenneth-cole-reaction-mens-slim-fit-suit?ID=20639215&swatchColor=Light%20Blue WEDDING (it is odd to ask for a higher level of formality for the pre-wedding event, so you may want to clarify the couple's understanding of a semi formal dress code. Some think it is one step down from formal, but it is actually one step down from cocktail. Semi-Formal or Dressy Casual "Part of dressing for a semi-formal , or dressy casual, wedding is paying close attention to when the ceremony will take place. For evening events, darker, more formal colors are best, whereas light hues and airy fabrics are preferred for daytime affairs. For men, settle on a dress shirt and slacks, with the option to wear a tie . " Tropical or Destination Tropical wedding attire usually implies hot and humid destinations , so you'll probably be more comfortable leaning into lightweight fabrics and airy silhouettes at nuptials with this type of dress code. That said, always err on the dressier side of caution, and if you're questioning whether your look is appropriate, check with the couple. For men's attire, guayabera shirts are wonderful for the tropics. Known more commonly as "Mexican wedding shirts," these short-sleeved, button-down tops usually have decorative square pockets and some form of embroidery. If you can't button the top button, even though not required for this dress code, consider buying a shirt that fits.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/weddingattireapproval › which wedding guest dress?
r/Weddingattireapproval on Reddit: Which wedding guest dress?
August 20, 2025 -

Hello, I will be attending a beach wedding in Monterey this weekend and I’m stuck in between two dresses. It will be an outside beach ceremony follow by an in-door reception and the dress code is cocktail. I have both dresses already but was unsure which one is best for the occasion. Thank you in advance!

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/weddingplanning › opinions on dress codes for guests
r/weddingplanning on Reddit: Opinions on Dress Codes for Guests
January 17, 2020 -

What is everyone's opinions on dress codes for guests?

I went to a wedding on Halloween where they asked us to wear costumes, it was super fun and I didn't think anything odd of the request. But recently I've been seeing a lot of hate to brides who ask thier guests to wear a certain color palette (like all white or blue shades). Where do you draw the line when it comes to brides asking wedding guests to wear particular clothing? Is it dependant on theme? Size of wedding? Location?

I'd love to hear opinions on this! It was brought up in a local Facebook page today so I'm really curious what other brides think!

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The Black Tux
theblacktux.com › blogs › guides › beach-wedding-attire-guide
Beach Wedding Attire Guide for Guest or Groom | The Black Tux Blog
A well-fitting short-sleeve button-down in a light fabric paired with pressed chino pants or linen suit pants creates the perfect foundation. You can elevate this with a light color linen suit, but we'd recommend skipping the tie for this dress code.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/weddingplanning › is it possible to actually have all guests dress according to the dress code?
r/weddingplanning on Reddit: Is it possible to actually have all guests dress according to the dress code?
September 28, 2023 -

Now, I’ll admit that I haven’t been to a ton of weddings (only 6 and all in the South), but at all of them the dress code was either cocktail or formal, and there was always so many people that didn’t follow the dress code. I feel like the reason so many people choose cocktail or formal is just to avoid having people show up in jeans or casual sundresses, and then people still showed up in those types of more everyday/relaxed clothes anyway.

For example, I went to a wedding this past weekend where the dress code was cocktail attire, and if you looked at a photo of all the guests together, I doubt anyone would have been able to guess that they were told cocktail. Quite a few men in jeans (including one of the bridesmaids boyfriends) and short sleeve polo shirts, women in sundresses or casual dresses that looked more appropriate for a beach or backyard wedding, etc. Seeing it annoyed me on the bride and groom’s behalf because they chose a specific dress code for a reason.

I guess basically what I’m asking is how everyone goes about trying to ensure their guests understand and actually follow the level of formality you have planned without being a bridezilla lol? Or is this one of those things where you just have to accept that no matter how much you try, it’s just not gonna happen lol? I’m a bit of a perfectionist so I just know it would frustrate me afterwards to be going through my wedding photos of everyone looking nice in fancy suits and dresses and then randomly have some guy in jeans looking out of place in the middle of them 😂

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The Knot
theknot.com › ideas & advice › fashion › guest attire
Beach Wedding Attire for Men and Women: Here's What to Wear
September 4, 2025 - Flowy maxis and midis are common beach wedding guest dresses for women, but jumpsuits and dressy separates are also appropriate choices. When it comes to accessories, feel free to have some fun.