Hawaii has long been a popular destination for out-of-state weddings. The sun, the sand, the crashing waves, and the beautiful scenery are only a few reasons why wedding couples flock to these beautiful islands for their special day. But if you have been fortunate to be invited to a wedding held there, you likely have concerns about what you should wear. Well, you’ll be pleased you stopped by here today. Here are all of your best options.
So, what should you wear to a Hawaiin wedding? Light summer dresses and jumpsuits are always good outfit choices for women for Hawaiian weddings. As for men, light shirts and casual trousers made from breathable, natural materials are perfect for the warmer weather in Hawaii.
If you are heading to the sunny shores of Hawaii, Maui, or any of the other popular Hawaiian wedding destinations, you are in the right place.
Let’s discuss what you can wear to a Hawaiian wedding and a few outfits you might want to avoid.
Is There A Dress Code For A Hawaiian Wedding?
Smart casual seems to be the de facto dress code for most weddings in Hawaii. Thanks to the warm, humid weather in Hawaii, looser clothing is always preferred to keep you cool and comfortable all day long.
However, if the wedding couple has planned a black tie event or a cocktail dress code wedding, you will want to dress up a little bit more. I
f no dress code on your invitations, you can assume that smart casual will fit perfectly.
A few things you will want to keep in mind when choosing your outfit for a Hawaiian wedding will be the time of year and the location.
Many wedding couples love the idea of getting married on a beach when they visit one of the Hawaiian islands.
You will want to choose an outfit that is light, airy, and keeps you cool.
There is nothing worse than feeling sticky and sweaty all day long.
However, if the couple’s wedding is during the cooler months of the year, you may want a cozy cover-up for those cooler evenings.
What Should A Guest Wear To A Hawaiian Wedding?
Deciding what to wear to a destination wedding can be a bit of a headache.
Not only do you have to factor in how much luggage space you need, but you want to make sure you have the perfect outfit for the day and avoid a quick rush to a local boutique for a backup.
Here are some simple outfit suggestions to help you make the right choice as a guest at a Hawaiian wedding.
Female Guests
Flowing Sun Dress
Nothing beats the classic summer dress.
With a variety of skirt lengths, from midi to maxi, a sun dress will cover all bases.
Keeping you cool and comfortable all day long but still looking classy and chic.
If you choose a sun dress as your wedding guest outfit, steer clear of skirts that come up too short.
That beach wedding can get a little breezy at times, and you don’t want to end up flashing the entire wedding party.
Not sure what shoes to wear – A classy and comfortable pair of chic sandals will support you through a beach wedding, and a comfortable pair of wedges or heeled sandals are the perfect choice for a resort or hotel wedding.
Loose Jumpsuit
Not a fan of flowing skirts, choose a sleek yet loose-fitting jumpsuit for a stylish wedding guest outfit.
Jumpsuits are versatile and can carry you right through every event of the day.
Whether you opt for long sleeves and long pants legs, or a shorter cut style, keep your jumpsuit loose to allow cool air to flow across your skin and keep you cool in the hot and humid Hawaiian climate.
Midi Halter Dress
If you want to show a little more skin and perhaps work on your tan, a halter dress can help you get those sun-kissed shoulders, but you will still look classy and refined.
Pick a style with a mid-length skirt to avoid cheapening your look.
Halter dresses are perfect for the more youthful wedding guests and can be paired beautifully with a set of strappy sandals or comfortable wedges.
Floral Prints And Bright Colours
If you have been dreaming of pulling out your very best bold floral dress, there is no better place than a Hawaiian wedding.
Go all out and inject some serious personality into your outfit with bright colors and summery floral prints.
Male Guests
Short-Sleeved Shirt
The aim is to keep cool when you are a guest at a wedding in Hawaii.
You can definitely go for a long-sleeved button-up shirt, but a short-sleeved, natural fiber shirt will keep you looking classically cool and stop you from overheating in the warm sun.
Not sure what shoes to wear? Boots or smart dress shoes are always good, or even a smart pair of canvas lace-ups if you want to complete your relaxed yet smart outfit.
Natural Material Trousers
When choosing your trousers, you want to stick to natural materials that breathe.
Especially if the wedding is during the summer, you will get warm fast, and these breathable materials will keep you cool and fresh all day long.
Stick to 100% cotton, linen, or chambray for a fresh and airy look.
Light And Fun Colours
Hawaii is a place to let loose on colors and summery patterns.
Be bold and have fun with your colors and fabric patterns.
However, Stick to lighter colors, as dark colors will absorb heat and make you warmer but don’t be shy when it comes to your pattern choice.
Even a vintage Hawaiian pattern is cool for a wedding in Hawaii.
What Not To Wear To A Hawaiian Wedding
Now you know what to wear to a wedding in Hawaii, how about a few outfit faux pas you might want to avoid?
Female Guests
Bikini Or Swimsuit
Just because the wedding is on a beach, does not mean you should don your very best bikini and nothing else.
There are still a few attire rules, even for a beach wedding, and swimwear is a definite no-no.
Unless the wedding couple has specifically requested that guests don their speedos and bikinis, avoid your casual beach wear completely.
Ball Gown
Nothing is stopping you from wearing a ball gown to a Hawaiian wedding, but you won’t last very long before you start to melt.
Ball gowns have so many skirts and rigid materials that you will end up ridiculously uncomfortable, and your hair and makeup won’t last long.
Plus, you don’t want to upstage the bride by turning up as cinderella to her wedding.
Anything Too Revealing
Weddings in Hawaii can get a little hot and humid, but this is no excuse to wear belly tops, boob tubes, or high-cut shorts.
Keep it classy, and think that less skin is probably better if you are not too sure.
Avoid White
This one goes without saying.
The color white is reserved for the bride only.
Unless she has specified that she wants her guests to wear their best white outfits, don’t even consider it as an option.
There’s a whole color wheel out there for you to pull from; you can put white attire to the side for one day.
Male Guests
Tuxedo
Unless the dress code is specified as black tie, a tuxedo may well be far too formal for a relaxed Hawaiian wedding.
Not only will you stick out like a sore thumb, but that traditional wool blend will also have you sweating from the minute you step out of your air-conditioned hotel room.
Heavy Materials
Avoid any materials that a thick, heavy, or made specifically to retain heat.
Some fabrics you will want to keep off your list are wool, silk, nylon, and even hemp. These materials are made for cooler climates.
Although, if you need a cozy cover-up for cooler evenings, these fabrics may be the very thing you are looking for.
Flip Flops
Flip flops might be your beach footwear of choice for sunny holidays but keep those in your hotel room for other days; they are not classic enough to be worn to a wedding and will cheapen your smart casual look.
If you want light shoes that are breathable and airy, canvas lace-ups can be the perfect middle ground between comfortable and stylish.
Other Suggestions When Choosing Attire For A Hawaiian Wedding
Now you know what you should wear to a Hawaiian wedding and a few things you definitely should not, here are some extra tips to help you choose the perfect wedding for a wedding in the Hawaiian islands.
Consider The Heat
The heat is going to be the biggest factor when it comes to choosing your wedding guest outfit.
During the summer months, Hawaii can get as hot as 85f, and during the winter, it’s not much cooler at an average of 78f.
Regardless of what time of year you go, you need to pick outfits that are breathable and airy.
No one wants to be a sweaty wedding guest.
Pick materials such as 100% cotton, linen, and chambray that will let the cool airflow and keep your body heat down.
What Is The Dress Code?
Not sure what to wear? As the bride or groom.
Even if they have not specified a dress code on their wedding invitations, they will still have a rough idea of what everyone else is wearing.
Dress codes can sometimes be more confusing – smart casual, casual formal, semi-formal, black tie – it is a lot, but most Hawaiian weddings tend to hover around the smart casual dress code area.
So a nice summer dress and sandals, or a dressed-down shirt and slacks, is often all you need.
Hey, I’m Allison – a recent bride, an expectant mother and the chief editor here at Everlasting Occasion. Here I document all the knowledge and experience I accumulated while researching and planning my dream wedding and ahead of our new baby. Here, I try to answer those many questions couples have when planning their dream wedding, while equally, helping expectant parents ahead of their new arrival!