Wedding Guest Attire + Summer Wedding Outfit

Outfit Details

Lulus Single Strap Heels (similar here and here)

Chanel Classic Caviar Flap bag (Consignment options here and here)

August is already in full swing, but I’m sure some of you still have weddings to attend! Dressing for a wedding can be difficult, as there are so many different rules and etiquette to follow. The categories below cover the majority of wedding attire dress codes.

Wedding Dress Codes

White Tie – Most formal dress code. Formal, full-length ball gown.

Black Tie – Chic cocktail dress (I’d say in a dark color) or long evening down.

Black Tie Optional/Formal – Long evening dress, dressy suit, or formal cocktail-length dress.

Beach formal – Elegant beach wedding. Formal summer sundress at tea or knee length.

Semiformal/Dressy casual – A cocktail dress or a dressy skirt and top.

Casual/daytime – summer sundress or a skirt or pants with a nice blouse.

See this great article at The Knot for more details.

My number one tip is always, I repeat, ALWAYS, follow what the invitation or wedding website states as the required attire. In my opinion, I would err on the side of caution and go more formal. Personally, I think it’s best to be slightly overdressed, then underdressed. For example, if the invitation says Black Tie Optional, I would definitely learn towards Black Tie and go with a long dress in a dark color. With that being said, I would only go up one level. If the invitation says casual, you don’t want the couple to show up in formal ball gowns and/or penguin suits!

Summer weddings can be tricky because no one wants to be uncomfortable in the heat! I actually only have one wedding coming up at the end of the August and it’s Bryan’s brother. One of my oldest and best friends is getting married in October and I’m a bridesmaid in that one, so my attire is super easy! 😉

For the August wedding, it is in Maine and Black Tie optional, so I got this long navy blue dress from Lulus. It’s such a steal and looks way more expensive than it is! I chose to not go with black because it’s Maine…and August…so I felt black would be too much. For the rehearsal dinner, I picked out this adorable Adelyn Rae Lace Fit & Flare dress, which is a more affordable take on the Self-Portrait ‘Azaelea’ lace dress. I am wearing a medium because my rib case is on the larger side and I wanted to be comfortable! The material is on the heavier side, which I think helps the floral cutouts lay flat and not look flimsy.

As for shoes, I adore these Lulus Single Strap Heels so much. They are $25 and amazingly comfortable! I’ve worn them for a few weddings now and I can stay on my feet all night. I just bought the nude ones, but I think the black ones go great with the pink dress!

Altogether, my dress and shoes total less than $160.

To complement this look, I added this gorgeous Chanel Caviar Classic Flap bag in small, which I inherited from my mom. I remember exactly when she bought it. My parents took me to California after I graduated High School and my mom completed her first round of chemotherapy. We were browsing in Beverly Hills and she really wanted to get me something, so we went to Burberry. She got me a quilted jacket, which I still cherish to this day. Then, we of course had to go into Chanel, where my mom immediately fell in love. After 10 years, tt still looks perfect! I’m in no place to buy my own Chanel, but TheRealReal has a ton of great consignment options, such as this one and this here.