Imagine the charm of a “Father of the Bride”-style wedding—the intimacy of a relaxed, meaningful celebration in a sentimental setting, minus any over-the-top extras like swans. Backyard weddings offer a beautifully personal way to honor love, with a touch of magic. But for guests, figuring out what to wear can feel a bit unclear. When in doubt, aim for effortless sophistication: think flowing silhouettes, delicate floral prints, playful fringe, and a hint of romance. One important tip: choose shoes that won’t sink into the grass, as lawns can be tricky to navigate.
Vogue’s Guide to What to Wear to a Backyard Wedding
The Diamond Earrings
Brilliant Earth Andrea cushion diamond earrings
$1,395 | Brilliant Earth
The Slip Dress
Khaite Candita dress
$2,200 | Khaite
The Espadrille Wedges
Castañer Carina espadrille wedge sandals
$150 | Bloomingdale’s
For accessories, consider a hand fan for warm evenings or a lightweight wrap for when temperatures drop—simple yet practical finishing touches. Here are seven backyard wedding outfit ideas for your next celebration.
The Jewel-Toned Slip
A slip dress is a versatile choice for any event, and it’s perfect for a sun-drenched backyard wedding. This amethyst Khaite dress, featuring a long scarf detail, offers an elegant look. Pair it with wedge sandals by Emme Parsons (a smart option that won’t sink into the grass), and complete the outfit with a maroon clutch and gold earrings.
– Khaite Candita dress: $2,200 | Khaite
– Alaïa Le Teckel suede clutch: $2,350 | Net-a-Porter
– Emme Parsons Simple wedge: $595 | FWRD
– Brilliant Earth Andrea cushion diamond earrings: $1,395 | Brilliant Earth
The Light and Bright
For a daytime celebration, go for something cheerful. This pink Bernadette mini dress is both fitting and fun, especially when styled with animal-print heels. The block heel on these Aquazzura pumps ensures comfort for dancing.
– Bernadette George mini dress: $900 | Net-a-Porter
– Aquazzura Ginza slingback pumps: $940 | Net-a-Porter
– Lié Studio Rebecca drop earrings: $230 | Nordstrom
– Roger Vivier Belle Vivier patent-leather clutch: $1,350 | Net-a-Porter
Festive Fringe
If you prefer minimalist style, fringe or tassel details can add just the right amount of flair to a simple outfit. This Taller Marmo dress is understated yet memorable. As the evening cools, drape a cashmere scarf over your shoulders for an elegant cover-up.
– Taller Marmo Palermo fringed maxi dress: $970 | Mytheresa
– Rare Carat Modern bezel diamond necklace: $3,986 | Rare Carat
– Hunting Season Small top handle bag: $850 | Shopbop
– Faliero Sarti Domenica cashmere scarf: $565 | Bergdorf Goodman
The Matching Set
A coordinated set always looks chic and put-together with minimal effort. Destree’s skirt and blazer combo is ideal for cooler weather. Style it with flat gold sandals and a structured top-handle bag.
– Destree Amoako Peonia blazer: $610 | Net-a-Porter
– Destree Ivan maxi skirt: $650 | Net-a-Porter
– Loeffler Randall Devon lattice sandals: $295 | Bloomingdale’s
– DeMellier Vancouver clutch handbag: $495 | Shopbop
The Satin Floral Dress
For a garden wedding surrounded by flowers, embrace the romantic vibe with a floral satin dress that complements the setting. Choose block-heel sandals for a practical yet polished look, and add pearl earrings with a snakeskin-embossed clutch to mix soft and edgy elements.
– Zara printed satin dress: $119 | Zara
– Manolo Blahnik Dellasan leather sandals: $915 | Net-a-Porter
– Jimmy Choo Skylar leather clutch: $1,195 | Nordstrom
– Completedworks gold-plated pearl earrings: $320 | Net-a-Porter
The Polka-Dot Dress
Playful, timeless, and always wedding-appropriate, a polka-dot dress is a fail-safe option. Celebrate the couple in this long-sleeve maxi dress, paired with espadrilles and a cream leather clutch to balance the print.
– Sir Lisander silk-chiffon maxi dress: $640 | Net-a-Porter
– Laura Lombardi Viola hoop earrings: $210 | Net-a-Porter
– Loewe Flamenco leather clutch: $3,650 | Net-a-Porter
– Castañer Carina espadrille wedge sandals: (Price not listed)For a formal backyard wedding, a little black dress is the perfect choice. Your favorite LBD will look just as lovely under backyard string lights as it does in the city. If you don’t already have one to dress up, this lace and chiffon dress from J.Crew is incredibly versatile. Add a touch of softness and layered texture with a floral scarf from Markarian.
J.Crew lace and ruffle midi dress
$328 at J.Crew
Markarian Gillian Georgette scarf
$670 at Markarian
Jimmy Choo Elsy slingback sandal
$795 at Nordstrom
Sophie Buhai flamenco onyx earrings
$975 at Net-a-Porter
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about backyard wedding outfit ideas designed to sound natural and provide clear helpful answers
General Beginner Questions
1 What should I wear to a backyard wedding as a guest
Aim for garden party attire This usually means a sundress a nice skirt and top or dressy separates For men slacks and a buttondown shirt are perfect Avoid anything too formal like a fulllength ball gown or a tuxedo
2 Is there a difference between a backyard wedding and a traditional wedding dress code
Yes Backyard weddings are generally more casual and relaxed While a traditional wedding might call for cocktail or blacktie attire a backyard wedding encourages comfortable stylish clothing that you can easily move around in
3 What are some good outfit ideas for a summer backyard wedding
Light breathable fabrics are key Think flowy maxi dresses linen suits midi dresses and jumpsuits Lighter colors like pastels florals and whites work well
4 What should I wear to a backyard wedding in the fall or spring
Layering is your best friend For women a stylish jacket or chic cardigan over a dress For men a blazer or a nice sweater over a collared shirt You can also opt for darker richer colors and slightly heavier fabrics like tweed or velvet accents
5 What kind of shoes should I wear
Choose shoes that wont sink into the grass Wedges block heels or stylish flats are excellent choices for women For men loafers or dress shoes with a wider heel are better than stilettos or thin dress shoes
Advanced Practical Questions
6 How can I dress up a casual outfit to make it weddingappropriate
Elevate a simple outfit with accessories and tailoring Add statement jewelry a elegant clutch or a stylish hat For a casual dress or suit ensure its wellfitted and made from a highquality fabric to instantly make it look more polished
7 Whats a common mistake people make with backyard wedding outfits
The biggest mistake is being either too formal or too casual Wearing jeans and a tshirt is usually too informal while a full tuxedo or a very flashy evening gown can look out of