Spring usually brings with it an air of excitement; and never was that more true than this spring around Bayside Bride. As loyal readers know, Bayside Bride‘s own Natalie Franke will be marrying her sweetheart, Hugh, this April. As the countdown to this exciting day ticks on, the invites are going out, and guests of Natalie and Hugh’s wedding and other spring weddings, are certainly asking themselves,”What will I wear?”
Like most brides and grooms, Natalie and Hugh want their guests to be able to look forward to their wedding without worrying at all about what to wear; so, to clear up any gray areas, we’ve developed this informal guide for what to wear to a spring wedding. This guide was created with Natalie’s input in order to help guests of her own outdoor afternoon wedding, but certainly this classic†Chesapeake†style can be considered the dress code for outdoor and daytime spring weddings throughout the area.
Wedding Guests of a Springtime Afternoon Wedding
Lilly Pulitzer Limited Edition Sand Bar Blue Iridescent Daisy Lace†”Lonnie” Dress / Whoopsie Daisy Earrings / Strand and Deliver Necklace / Nine West Yellow Okeanos Flats
Fitzgerald Fit Windowpane Sport Coat / Core Stripe Bow Tie by Countess Mara Navy blue Silk / Chappy Stripe Pocket Square / Bass Loafers
To start off our look, I’ll help set the context–we’ve nicknamed the suggested attire, “Garden Party Preppy”. What does that mean, exactly? Sweetly Southern styles that would be at home at any spirited Maryland celebration like a semi-formal afternoon lawn soiree, an upscale post-regatta party, or in the clubhouse suite at the Preakness. Since the wedding is in the afternoon and outdoors, it doesn’t require formal touches like a tuxedo or a long dress, but it’s best to not be too not casual either. Instead, female guests might choose a pretty dress in soft muted hues–pink, peach, gray, pale yellow, green or blue– or a pretty print. Preppy styles, like the ones assembled below from Lilly Pulitzer and J.Crew, are perfect. When choosing, just think springtime colors!
†Yellow Eyelet Dress / Blue Green Stripe Lilly Pulitzer “Henley” Dress / Lilly Pulitzer “Posey” Dress / Lilly Pulitzer “Freja” Dress / J. Crew †Arabelle in Ditzy Floral Dress / Lilly Pulitzer Sami-Ryan Dress
For the gentlemen, a spring wedding is chance to shed the dark colors of winter and dress in very dapper way. In short– we’re hoping you’ll bring the seersucker and bow ties. Natalie’s wedding is in April and it will be just on the cusp of spring, so a lighter colored suit would be fine, as would navy sport coat, and–even though it’s not fully summer yet–we love the cotton look of these seersucker sport coats and suits. If you take the sport coat option, twill pants, khakis, or chinos are wonderful counterpart, and you’ll probably earn extra party points if they come in a color, like a Nantucket red, yellow, pink or green.
Brooks Brothers Fitzgerald Tan Solid Gabardine 1818 Suit / Brooks Brothers Madison Fit Seersucker Sport Coat / Fitzgerald Fit Navy Seersucker Sport Coat / Brooks Brothers Fitzgerald Seersucker Suit
With this†description, I’m sure most of you are getting a feel for the look, but to help you consult your closet or local clothier, I’ve created these quick little guides. If you’re a guest of Natalie and Hugh’s wedding, you may want to pay special attention to the second item: silver sparkle–which is a special detail of Natalie and Hugh’s day. Guests can be assured that the day will glitter and gleam in some way, so it would be highly appropriate for the ladies to add a little glitz of their own. Besides a tiny bit of sparkle, all you’ll need is a ladylike dress, some pretty flats (since you’ll be on the grass), some fun accessories, and a sweater or wrap in case the late afternoon has a chill.
For the gentlemen, a suit in navy, tan, or gray will do nicely — as will a sport coat and some wonderfully preppy pants. The cheerful checks of a gingham shirt would fit right in, as would a bit of color on the belt. Most of all, let us not forget the tie. It’s impossible not to like the fellow who shows up in a brightly colored tie, and if it’s a bow tie — it’s all the better! Other touches like colorful socks, Sperry topsiders, and nautical looks are appropriate as well.
1. River Stree Jacket and† Chino Suit from Bonobos †2. Pink Pants †or Nantucket Reds †3. † J. Crew Gingham Shirt †4. Bonobos Coralius Yellow†Belt † 5. Ties: †Top left: Vineyard Vines Sailfish and Lure Top Right: † Brier &Moss Blue and Black Striped Bow Tie “The Colton” † Bottom left: Purple and Gold †Brier & Moss the LeCroix Bottom Right: Vineyard Vines †in Raspberry
I hope this little guide will help Natalie and Hugh’s guests put their wedding finery together and also inspire anyone else heading to Bayside weddings this spring! Clearly, spring weddings in the Chesapeake are about taking the cheery blooming colors of the season and making them a part of your wardrobe in a festive and lovely way. Wishing the most joyful blessings and best wishes to Natalie and Hugh and to all springtime wedding couples!
XO
Sukey at Dress For The Wedding
