acceptable dress code for guests? help!

neverabride314 · May 2011

I am going to a friend's beach wedding in may, but the invitation was very confusing as to dress code!

What is acceptable to wear to a beach wedding? I know I cant wear an all white dress....can I wear a dress that is knee length, white with large blue flowers on it?

The invitation says "formal", and the groomsman are wearing black tuxedos. But it's the BEACH. Doesn't the location make it kinda casual?

I've never been tot wedding and really don't know what is acceptable.

Help! I

artbyallie · May 2011

Is it daytime or evening? Black tuxes are quite formal, and should be only for night, but apparently a lot of people overdress their wedding parties. (Both my aunt and FSIL had afternoon weddings and put the guys in tuxes anyway) Also, do you know where exactly the wedding is? It may not necessarily be on the beach. (If it is, I'd disregard the invitation and overdressed groomsmen and wear something a bit more casual, but that's just me)

KatyRoseM · May 2011

I would dress formally. Long fancy dress. I know its on the beach, but I would go with the look and tone they clearly want. Also, some beach locations are more formal than others.

GeauxTigers17 · May 2011

What time is the wedding? If the invitation says formal (ugh, btw - should not be on an invitation), I might wear a long-but-flowy dress in a light fabric (ie, more casual than an evening gown but happens to be long). If it's an afternoon wedding or if it's on the beach itself, I would also disregard the tuxedo thing and wear a shorter dress. No way would I get sand all up in my dress because of someone's "vision" - if you want a black tie affair, have an evening wedding in a place that doesn't have sand as a major component, you know?

almost-a-bride · May 2011

I've been to a very formal beach wedding before and it was gorgeous! It was at night though. And it was perfect weather. They had candles everywhere (thank god there was no wind). But it was definitely formal....anyone wearing a beach day dress would have looked under dressed So depending on the time of the wedding, that is what I'd base my outfit on.

meep2 · May 2011

Yeah, I guess the question is if the reception will really be on the BEACH beach, like you'll be standing in stand the entire time. Because frankly, I wouldn't be planning based on the guys' tuxes at the point, I'd be starting with my shoes. Heels are difficult to wear on sand, and it's difficult to plan a formal evening gown around flats. My idea is I'd find out where it'll be, figure out the nicest shoes you can practically wear there, and then (since they want formal) wear the most formal dress you can with that level of shoe

If it's on a wooden platform on the beach you could end up underdressed if you go beach casual, but if it's on the beach the bride may end up switching to flip-flops before long.

Magdala9 · May 2011

If the invite says formal, then the expected dress code is formal. We have beautiful churches, restaurants and yacht clubs on our beaches in New England.

neverabride314 · May 2011

This wedding is ON the beach in the early afternoon (hot!!!!)
There were no invitations, it was a phone call, and facebook wedding RSVP type of thing. It's very confusing...the reception is at a large beach house on the beach as well. I'm friends with the groom, and he said he has no idea what's going on, Only when to be there (and not to be hungover)!

Quite a mess huh?

artbyallie · May 2011

Wow, yeah, that does not sound at all formal.

Cynthia1207 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_acceptable-dress-code-guests?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:36Discussion:cb21f1f1-17cc-4fee-bd2f-7202f3e4e44ePost:19369d37-9be9-46c8-8eff-b0de323d4608">Re: acceptable dress code for guests? help!</a>:
[QUOTE]This wedding is ON the beach in the early afternoon (hot!!!!) There were no invitations, it was a phone call, and facebook wedding RSVP type of thing. It's very confusing...the reception is at a large beach house on the beach as well. I'm friends with the groom, and he said he has no idea what's going on, Only when to be there (and not to be hungover)! Quite a mess huh?
Posted by neverabride314[/QUOTE]

Um ok....that's weird. I would call them and ask what it's all about (ask groom if you can speak directly to his fiancee) Some people just don't know the definition of formal and maybe she just meant she didn't want people showing up in bathing suits.

I think you're fine wearing the white with blue flowers

neverabride314 · May 2011

Thanks Everybody for all the help!

OuachitaTrixie · May 2011

haha, bathing suits...

Yeppers, if they can call to invite you then you can call to clear up the dress-code situation.

Lisa50 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_acceptable-dress-code-guests?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:36Discussion:cb21f1f1-17cc-4fee-bd2f-7202f3e4e44ePost:660a3be5-1ba0-4376-b101-999fb1484e08">Re: acceptable dress code for guests? help!</a>:
[QUOTE]haha, bathing suits... Yeppers, if they can call to invite you then<strong><font color="#0000ff"> you can call to clear up the dress-code situation.
</font></strong>Posted by OuachitaTrixie[/QUOTE]

Agree!

cac7777 · May 2011

You could wear a maxi dress--long enough to look formal but still super comfy and less uptight. Weird that they're wearing tuxes on the beach...

acceptable dress code for guests? help!

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