What to wear to a summer wedding

Wedding season is upon us, and finding the frock most fitting for the occasion can be a puzzle. Fortunately, a profusion of dresses in tangerine, turquoise and hot-pink prints paraded down fashion runways for summer 2012, offering a welcome alternative to the still-practical-but-oh-so-predictable black cocktail dress. Here, we’ve imagined four typical summer wedding scenarios — swanky black tie, destination beach bash, conservative country club and low-key backyard ceremony — and what to wear to each. Story by Janet Bennett Kelly

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BEACH WEDDING

Aqua, green and gold patterns swirl over Banana Republic’s shiny cotton strapless dress, which is from its new collaboration with designer Trina Turk. Blue Pisces Printed Cora dress, $150. Available June 7 at stores and www.bananarepublic.com.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Decorate your decolletage with a coordinating Trina Turk citron bubble necklace. <em>Blue Pisces Printed Cora dress, $150. Available June 7 at stores and www.bananarepublic.com.</em>

BEACH WEDDING

Decorate your decolletage with a coordinating Trina Turk citron bubble necklace. Blue Pisces Printed Cora dress, $150. Available June 7 at stores and www.bananarepublic.com.

If the ceremony is set for the sand, choose a pair of metallic flat sandals. <em>Cole Haan Air Tali sandals, $127.50 at www.amazon.com.</em>

BEACH WEDDING

If the ceremony is set for the sand, choose a pair of metallic flat sandals. Cole Haan Air Tali sandals, $127.50 at www.amazon.com.

Cole Haan

Daytime events call for a wide-brim hat, while a lightweight shrug protects bare shoulders from the evening chill. <em>Christys’ Surfside sun hat, $46 at Proper Topper, 1350 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 202-842-3055, www.propertopper.com.</em>

BEACH WEDDING

Daytime events call for a wide-brim hat, while a lightweight shrug protects bare shoulders from the evening chill. Christys’ Surfside sun hat, $46 at Proper Topper, 1350 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 202-842-3055, www.propertopper.com.

Proper Topper

BEACH WEDDING

An interior corset and boning at the sides for extra support makes this splashy silk strapless dress wearer-friendly. Slip Cole Haan’s metallic flat sandals on your feet. For a cover-up on the beach, grab your favorite denim jacket. Dress, $139.99 at select J. Crew stores and www.jcrew.com.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

COUNTRY CLUB WEDDING

If you cringe at the color tangerine or feel faint at the thought of wearing a bold print, think monochromatically. For a daytime or evening event at a country club, the Julia Farr-designed pale coral pink sheath with a subtle check and slight gleam in the fabric flatters a variety of figures and ages. Pair it with nude sandals and a Kara Ross cuff and . Dress, $320 at Julia Farr, 5232 44th St. NW, Washington, D.C., 202-364-3277.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Pair the sheath with matching coral earrings by Kara Ross. <em>Earrings, $140 at Julia Farr, 5232 44th St. NW, Washington, D.C., 202-364-3277.</em>

COUNTRY CLUB WEDDING

Pair the sheath with matching coral earrings by Kara Ross. Earrings, $140 at Julia Farr, 5232 44th St. NW, Washington, D.C., 202-364-3277.

Kara Ross

COUNTRY CLUB WEDDING

Add a Kara Ross coral python cuff. Bracelet, $290 at Julia Farr, 5232 44th St. NW, Washington, D.C., 202-364-3277.

Kara Ross

Finish the look with neutral sandals. <em>Zara high-heel sandal with methacrylate heel, $129 at www.zara.com</em>.

COUNTRY CLUB WEDDING

Finish the look with neutral sandals. Zara high-heel sandal with methacrylate heel, $129 at www.zara.com.

Zara

COUNTRY CLUB WEDDING

Another option for a country club wedding: Halston Heritage’s blue-and-purple silk crepe de chine dress. Wear with high-heel black or neutral sandals. Dress, $425 at Julia Farr, 5232 44th St. NW, Washington, D.C., 202-364-3277.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

BLACK TIE WEDDING

When the invitation says “black tie optional,” your hosts won’t balk if you don’t wear an evening dress, but lean toward the more formal option. Keep accessories minimal with this dramatic Halston Heritage navy gown with flowing black cape. Dress, $125 rental fee at www.renttherunway.com.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

BLACK TIE WEDDING

The attached cape adds a dramatic flourish.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Sparkling sleek sandals with rows of crystals and an ankle strap accent a shapely leg meant to be seen through a revealing high slit. <em>Glint Milly sandal, $65.90 at www.nordstrom.com.</em>

BLACK TIE WEDDING

Sparkling sleek sandals with rows of crystals and an ankle strap accent a shapely leg meant to be seen through a revealing high slit. Glint Milly sandal, $65.90 at www.nordstrom.com.

Milly

Judith Jack’s marcasite and blue topaz earrings add lightness around your face. <em>Earrings, $150 at www.amazon.com. </em>

BLACK TIE WEDDING

Judith Jack’s marcasite and blue topaz earrings add lightness around your face. Earrings, $150 at www.amazon.com.

Amazon.com

If a chill sets in from the air conditioning, keep a metallic wrap at the ready. <em>Satin gray wrap, $195 at www.simplysoles.com.</em>

BLACK TIE WEDDING

If a chill sets in from the air conditioning, keep a metallic wrap at the ready. Satin gray wrap, $195 at www.simplysoles.com.

Robert Sullivan

BACKYARD WEDDING

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg may have worn a suit (and loose tie) and bride Priscilla Chan a traditional wedding gown for their own backyard fete, but we’d bet their guests donned attire expected of cool California techies. Channel your own inner hipster with a coral top dress, exposed back zipper and ribbon hem skirt. Sachin + Bibi dress, $425 at Julia Farr, 5232 44th St. NW, Washington, D.C., 202-364-3277.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

BACKYARD WEDDING

A better view of that exposed zipper on the back of the dress.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Add hammered earrings for a glittery accent. <em>Hammered brass earrings, $98 at www.anthropologie.com</em>

BACKYARD WEDDING

Add hammered earrings for a glittery accent. Hammered brass earrings, $98 at www.anthropologie.com

Anthropologie

BACKYARD WEDDING

For the ceremony, you may be sinking heels into grass, so forgo the stilettos for flats or a wedge sandal, such as these leg-lengthening espadrilles. JCrew Sardinia wedge espadrille, $118 at www.jcrew.com.

J. Crew

BACKYARD WEDDING

Wear this Versace Caspian Sea figure-defining sheath dress to a dressier backyard bash (the kind that usually comes with tent and dance floor). During the day, protect your face under a sun hat. Cover bare shoulders in the evening with a lightweight bolero. Dress, $150 rental fee at www.renttherunway.com.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

BACKYARD WEDDING

Already covered in poppies, daisies and cornflowers, Anthropologie’s Primary Blooms dress doesn’t need much embellishment. Pair with hammered brass earrings and tangerine espadrilles. Dress, $168 at area Anthropologie stores and www.anthropologie.com.

Deb Lindsey / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Brightly colored espadrilles to pair with your print dress. Seychelles espadrilles, $89.95 at www.amazon.com.

Amazon.com

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