What to Wear to a Destination Wedding

Wedding season is here, and as the invites stack up ensuring that dress codes are adhered to can become a full-time job in and of itself. We’re au fait with garden wedding attire and have foolproof favourites for country pile nuptials, but what to wear to a destination wedding is a true sartorial conundrum.

While most would usually opt for thicker fabrics like heavy lace and satin, weddings abroad present you with the opportunity to wear more lightweight garments and generally allow for extra skin to be on show. Then there’s the question of where abroad the ceremony is being held, beach weddings call for an entirely different fashion fix than that of a reclaimed castle in Northern Italy or a candlelit chateau in Cannes.

It’s fairly safe to assume that you’re likely to be outside, and so outfits and materials that can withstand heat, humidity, and breeze are key.

Whether you’re heading for salty air and cascading sea waves or the tree-capped peaks of Italy’s undulating countryside, we’ve curated a collection of pieces that will ensure you retain your title as ‘the most well-dressed guest’ at the event with ease.

Long Beach Wedding Guest Dresses

Maintaining formality while enjoying your day as a beach wedding guest is made easy with a cascading hemline.

Sheer fabrics, lightweight fabrics with cut out accents, and details that don’t add unnecessary weight are perfect for a destination wedding. Choose a piece with beaded accents or embroidery to add intrigue without adding layers of heavy detail. Pick silhouettes that flare at the waist or hips to encourage airflow and keep you cool in the balmy sun. Strappy or strapless designs are also ideal for beach weddings, as they reduce the risk of unusual tan lines and keep your arms cool, but are also easy to layer up with a pashmina or jacket when the sun sets.

Opt for playful colours to really celebrate the warm weather in style and to emanate a sunshine-filled persona.

Short Abroad Wedding Guest Dresses

Despite having significantly less fabric than their maxi length counterparts, mini wedding guest dresses for a beach wedding are equally as appropriate and pack just as much impact when styled correctly.

Our range of short wedding guest dresses is ultra varied, from slinky silhouettes to dramatically flared skirts, bandeau necklines to long sleeves, minimal fabrics to loud prints. Statement features like prints, flares, and beading adds immediate nuptial-worthy formality, and these pieces are immediately elevated when styled with strappy sandals or heels and a striking fascinator.

Layer up with a shawl or pashmina in matching tones, and twist your hair in a simple updo to both maintain an elevated level of formality and keep yourself cool in the sunshine.

The Standout Sundress for Beach Wedding Guest

Perhaps your destination wedding is a more casual affair, with only a small number of particularly close friends and family gathering on the sunkissed sand. Beach dresses can be cleverly styled to go from pool cover up to elevated occasion wear.

If opting for a crochet beach dress or a sheer beach dress, wear a mini slip dress underneath in a matching colour to add coverage. Add intrigue by styling with contrasting sandals and a fascinator in a vibrant hue, and wear your hair up in a slick back bun or down in tousled, beachy waves.

Be encouraged to wear a vibrant colour or pattern, because when else can you wear something so fun?

Wedding Outfit for Beach Wedding Guest

If dresses are not something you typically reach for, consider a beach wedding outfit. Linen is the true king of summer fabrics, as it is both breathable and elegant. The timeless fabric shaped into classic tailoring shapes and new, unique styles makes for an unexpected beach wedding guest outfit.

From waistcoat and trouser sets, to skirts, to strikingly printed trousers, Karen Millen’s range of linen clothing is certain to see you from casual evenings exploring the city streets to ceremonies in the sunshine.

Style with pointed toe sandals or lightweight loafers to keep the well-considered styling running from head to toe.

Fascinators for Destination Weddings

For the finishing touches, what wedding look is complete without a fascinator? Keep the sun out of your eyes while adding even more elegance to your beach wedding guest outfit.

A fascinator will be a more comfortable choice than a hat, as not only are they easier to pack in your luggage, the comfortable headband easily sits over any hairstyle and allows your scalp to breathe through the long ceremony - especially if the sun is beating down.

Browse our range of striking fascinators and opt for a colour that either matches your outfit, or creates a striking contrast.

Finishing Touches: Sunglasses

Did you know Karen Millen sells sunglasses? From your own, classic range, to iconic pieces like Ray-Ban aviators and statement Prada pieces, a destination wedding guest outfit deserves a pair of striking sunglasses to protect from the sun and add instant drama to any look.

Get them as a wedding accessory and wear them year after year.