Wedding
January 22, 2024
Outdoor weddings are the latest trend, with couples opting for smaller, more intimate garden weddings in backyards, parks, or botanical gardens. I’ve attended two and they were gorgeous!
Nature is the perfect place to tie the knot. Garden weddings excite all the senses with lots of light, blooming flowers, and gentle breezes, setting a magical scene that can’t be matched indoors.
If your invitation has arrived, but you’re not sure what to wear to a garden wedding in 2024, read on. I have some handy style tips and suggestions for beautiful garden party wedding attire!
Rosette One Shoulder Dress | Pink and Blue Floral Sheath
What to Wear to a Garden Wedding
Garden Wedding Dress Code
Since Garden weddings are held outside, they automatically have a more laid-back and easygoing vibe than weddings in a church or fancy venue.
The dress code will be your main clue for what to wear. The most common garden wedding dress codes are:
Casual Garden Wedding: Think comfy and relaxed – you can wear a cute sundress or a flowy, casual maxi dress with flat sandals or espadrilles to keep things relaxed and cool.
Semi-Formal Garden co*cktail Attire: Step it up a notch! Aim for a knee-length, tea-length, or maxi dress in chic fabrics like chiffon, lace, or satin.
Formal Garden Wedding: A rare gem. Go all out with an elegant gown. Picture a floor-length dress made of luxurious silk or tulle paired with killer heels and statement jewelry to add that extra oomph.
The Time of Year
When deciding what to wear to a garden wedding, consider the season and the weather.
For Springtime garden weddings or garden weddings in summer, imagine warm sunshine and vibrant bursts of color all around. Choose lighter, brighter colors, lightweight fabrics, and shorter sleeves.
It will be cooler out for early and late Fall garden weddings, so wear darker colors, muted shades, and heavier fabrics. Longer sleeves are a good idea; you might need a wrap, shawl, ora dressy jacket for warmth.
Shop the Look
Garden Wedding Attire – Where to Find Inspiration
The secret to putting together a beautiful garden wedding guest outfit any season is to let the gorgeous natural environment inspire your look. For example:
Floral Prints: There’s nothing more garden-like than a floral dress. Go with the flow and choose a dress covered in floral patterns. Whether you prefer subtle or bold, floral motifs are a timeless choice for a garden wedding. It’s like you’re blending right into the scenery.
Rosettes are trending for 2024, so if you can find a rosette dress like the one above, you’ll look very fashion-forward!
Painterly Prints: Soft painterly prints with gentle colors that wash together can also be very pretty since they make you think of a pond or flowing garden waterfall.
Nature-Inspired Colors: Whether you prefer a print or solid color dress, take a cue from the garden’s color palette.
In spring, bright flowers like daffodils, tulips, and roses are popping up, so it’s nice to go with those cheery, vibrant hues.
In summer, the garden is still colorful but softer. Baby blue, peach, pastel pink, mint green, and lavender are pretty.
In the fall, the leaves turn, and earthy tones like rust, burgundy, teal, and plum can make you blend in beautifully with the environment.
Q. Can You Wear Black to a Garden Wedding?
You might think black is too somber for a garden wedding, but colorful florals on a dark black, blue, or purple background can be lovely. Just be careful that the overall look isn’t too dark or moody. An outdoor wedding is a light, sunny, happy event, so nothing too edgy or goth-like.
Blue 3d Floral Dress (here also)
Best Styles to Wear to a Garden Wedding
- Romantic Styles
Garden weddings are blooming with love! Choose classic styles that are soft and rounded and follow the shape of your body.
Some of the best garden wedding guest dress styles are wrap dresses, fit and flare, sheath dresses, and A-lines. Anything that nips in at the waist is figure-flattering and youthful. Off-the-shoulder and one-shoulder dresses and tops are elegant and romantic.
Avoid severe or oddly cut clothing that looks extreme or is boxy or shapeless.
- Flowy Fabrics
Dresses, blouses, and even wide-leg pants made of light, flowy fabrics that blow in the breeze are elegant for a garden wedding. For example, chiffon is a favorite. It’s also lightweight and will keep you cool at an outdoor wedding. Any kind of sheer overlay is also lovely.
- Feminine Details
Attending any wedding, particularly in a garden setting, is a little like being part of a romance story, which is why a dress with feminine, romantic ruffles fits right in.
Lace and eyelets also ooze femininity and are a lovely choice for a garden wedding. A satin ribbon belt is a romantic detail and highlights your waist.
Bows are all the rage for Spring 2024 and suddenly appear on garden party wedding attire.
Yellow Floral Shirt Dress | Chiffon Pleated Dress
Q. Can you Wear a Jumpsuit to a Garden Wedding
Yes, dressy jumpsuits have a chic vibe. This pink one, for example, with a halter neckline and wide flowy legs, is comfy and modern for an outdoor ceremony.
I also love walk-through jumpsuits. Have you seen them? They are long formal gowns with a slit in the front that opens up to reveal elegant skinny dress pants.
They’re very popular lately and are a creative way to dress for a garden wedding.
What Shoes to Wear to a Garden Wedding
Outdoor weddings usually occur on the grass, a patio, or a deck, so the type of shoes you wear is pretty important.
Strappy heels are beautiful but not the easiest to balance in this kind of setting. And, if your heels are too thin and fine, it’s easy to sink into the grass, get your shoe caught in a stone or wood crack, or worse, snap off your heel – disaster!
You can wear heels if you feel confident, but you might also want to consider block heels. They’re a little chunkier and more stable on uneven terrain.
Wedges are a good choice, too, because they can give you some nice height, and you won’t sink into the grass.
Of course, you can always wear very low heels or flat sandals. A dressy, metallic pair always looks elegant.
7. Accessories for an Outdoor Wedding
To complete your garden wedding look, you’ll need a few accessories: jewelry – a few bangles, earrings, and a necklace. You’ll also need a small, dressy bag. A sparkly clutch is always chic.
A wide-brimmed hat is a good idea if it’s sunny and looks glamorous. Sunglasses are another thing you should tuck into your bag (and don’t forget to wear sunscreen!)
If you are wearing a sleevless dress and it’s breezy or very sunny you might also want to think about a light summer wrap.
8. Hair and Makeup
The weather will affect your hair and makeup choice for a garden wedding. Choose a hairstyle that can withstand a breeze or light rain. Wear classic, natural makeup focusing on glowing skin and soft, earthy tones to enhance your garden wedding look.
9. Etiquette
Lastly, always remember to respect the couple’s wishes. If they have specific requests or guidelines regarding attire, be sure to follow them. It’s also best to dress modestly ( watch the cleavage) and avoid wearing white, traditionally reserved for the bride.
Shop Garden Wedding Dresses
Garden Party Wedding Attire – 4 Seasons At a Glance
Spring is perfect for brights, pastels, and floral prints to blend in with the blooming scenery. Lightweight fabrics like chiffon or organza are your best friends here. Embrace the season with short sleeves, tea-length hems, or delicate lace details.
Summer is very hot! Opt for breathable fabrics that won’t have you melting. Airy sundresses, maxi dresses in bold, cheerful colors, or a chic jumpsuit for a modern twist will keep you cool. And when it comes to footwear, strappy sandals or espadrilles are your go-to for those summer garden vibes.
Early Autumn is a bit of a mix – late-blooming flowers still have their moment. Stick with midi-length dresses in warmer hues, and don’t forget to layer up with a light cardigan or a shawl for that extra warmth.
Late Fall brings cooler temperatures and changing leaves. Switch up your color palette to deeper shades like burgundy, forest green, or mustard. A long-sleeve or three-quarter-sleeve dress in heavier fabrics like velvet or silk can be stunning as the weather cools.
Dressing for a garden wedding is a joy when you embrace nature and enjoy playing with feminine dressing. Enjoy the enchanting atmosphere and the romance in the air, and feel pretty!
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or the ability to attend events like a wedding. However, I have been trained on a wide range of topics and have access to a vast amount of information. I can provide you with general knowledge and tips on what to wear to a garden wedding, as well as information related to the concepts mentioned in this article.
Garden Weddings and Dress Codes Garden weddings have become a popular trend, with couples opting for smaller, more intimate ceremonies in outdoor settings such as backyards, parks, or botanical gardens. These weddings often have a more laid-back and easygoing vibe compared to traditional church or fancy venue weddings. The dress code for a garden wedding can vary depending on the formality of the event. The most common dress codes for garden weddings are:
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Casual Garden Wedding: For a casual garden wedding, you can wear a comfortable and relaxed outfit, such as a cute sundress or a flowy maxi dress. Pair your dress with flat sandals or espadrilles to keep the look relaxed and cool.
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Semi-Formal Garden co*cktail Attire: If the garden wedding has a semi-formal dress code, aim for a knee-length, tea-length, or maxi dress in chic fabrics like chiffon, lace, or satin. This dress code allows for a slightly more dressed-up look.
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Formal Garden Wedding: Formal garden weddings are a rare gem, but if you're attending one, you can go all out with an elegant gown. Picture a floor-length dress made of luxurious silk or tulle, paired with killer heels and statement jewelry for that extra oomph.
Seasonal Considerations When deciding what to wear to a garden wedding, it's essential to consider the season and the weather. Here are some general tips for each season:
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Spring and Summer: For springtime and summer garden weddings, imagine warm sunshine and vibrant bursts of color. Choose lighter, brighter colors, lightweight fabrics, and shorter sleeves. Floral prints and nature-inspired colors are great choices during these seasons.
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Early and Late Fall: For early and late fall garden weddings, the weather might be cooler, so it's advisable to wear darker colors, muted shades, and heavier fabrics. Longer sleeves, wraps, shawls, or dressy jackets can provide warmth. Earthy tones like rust, burgundy, teal, and plum can blend beautifully with the fall environment.
Styles and Fabrics When it comes to styles, opt for romantic and feminine dress styles that follow the shape of your body. Wrap dresses, fit and flare, sheath dresses, and A-line dresses are all flattering choices. Flowy fabrics, like chiffon, are elegant and perfect for a garden wedding. Feminine details such as ruffles, lace, and bows can add a romantic touch to your outfit.
Footwear and Accessories Choosing the right footwear for a garden wedding is important, especially if the event takes place on grass, a patio, or a deck. Strappy heels are beautiful but can be challenging to balance on uneven terrain. Block heels or wedges are more stable options. Flat sandals or low heels can also be comfortable choices. Complete your look with accessories like jewelry, a small dressy bag, a wide-brimmed hat (if sunny), sunglasses, and a light summer wrap if needed.
Hair, Makeup, and Etiquette Consider hairstyles that can withstand a breeze or light rain. Opt for classic, natural makeup with glowing skin and soft, earthy tones. Always remember to respect the couple's wishes and any specific dress code guidelines they may have. Dress modestly and avoid wearing white, which is traditionally reserved for the bride.
I hope this information helps you choose the perfect attire for a garden wedding! Let me know if you have any further questions or if there's anything else I can assist you with.
