Sea Island weddings are among the most photographed events in the Southeast — and for good reason. The Cloister, the Beach Club, the Ocean Room at The Lodge, the Chapel at Sea Island — each venue has its own aesthetic, its own dress code, and its own set of unwritten rules that visiting guests often don't know until they arrive.
We know because we outfit Sea Island wedding guests almost every week. From forgotten tuxedo shirts on a Saturday morning to last-minute cocktail dresses for a Friday welcome party, we've helped hundreds of guests get the look right without a plane ride home. Here's what you actually need to know before you pack.
Read the Invitation First — Then Read the Weather
Most Sea Island weddings will specify one of four dress codes on the invitation:
- Black Tie — tuxedos for men, floor-length gowns for women
- Black Tie Optional — dark suits acceptable for men, formal cocktail or floor-length for women
- Cocktail — suits or sport coats for men, cocktail dresses for women
- Coastal Formal / Island Chic — a Sea Island-specific tier we'll cover below
Then check the weather. Coastal Georgia weather ranges from humid summer heat (85°F+ with high humidity from May through September) to genuinely chilly winter evenings by the water (40s–50s from December through February). Layers matter. So does fabric weight.
For Men
Black Tie
A proper tuxedo — black or midnight blue, notch or peak lapel, black bow tie, patent or polished black leather shoes, black formal socks. A white pleated or piqué tuxedo shirt with studs and cufflinks. A cummerbund or vest.
What often trips guests up: forgetting the tuxedo shirt, studs, cufflinks, or a proper bow tie. These items travel poorly and are the #1 thing we get asked for on wedding weekends. If you drive in Friday afternoon and realize your studs are still on the dresser in Charlotte, we have plenty in all sizes at 26 Market Street.
Summer note: A lightweight wool or wool-mohair blend tuxedo will keep you presentable through a humid Georgia evening. Heavy velvet or thick wool is a mistake in June.
Black Tie Optional
A dark suit — navy or charcoal — with a white or light blue dress shirt, a conservative tie, and dressy leather shoes (oxford or cap-toe). A pocket square is a nice touch. You don't need a tuxedo, but you do need to be sharp: this isn't the dress code for a light-colored suit or a bold pattern.
Cocktail
Sport coat and dress pants, dress shirt with or without a tie. Loafers or dress shoes. Depending on the season:
- Spring/Summer: navy or tan sport coat, lightweight dress pants (tropical wool or cotton), no tie is often fine for daytime, tie for evening
- Fall/Winter: darker sport coat, wool trousers, tie increasingly expected
Blazers from Coppley and Brookwood — our two flagship men's brands — cover the spectrum from crisp navy hopsack to soft flannel. Pants from 34 Heritage in tan, olive, or navy pair with almost anything.
Coastal Formal / Island Chic
This is the dress code you'll see on a lot of Sea Island wedding invitations, and it confuses everyone. It essentially means "elevated coastal" — sharper than resort casual, softer than a formal suit.
For men: a linen or cotton sport coat (unstructured is fine), an open-collar dress shirt or a lightweight patterned shirt, dress pants or well-kept khakis, loafers or driving shoes. No tie required, but a pocket square keeps it polished. Think of it as "you're at a country club dinner, not a beach bar" — clean, considered, but not stuffy.
For Women
The standard wedding-guest rules apply for women at Sea Island weddings, with a few coastal-specific notes:
Black Tie
Floor-length gown or elegant formal midi. Avoid strapless-only silhouettes if the ceremony is outdoors near the water — coastal breezes are stronger than people expect. A wrap or shawl is smart to have on hand for the reception.
Colors: Anything except white, ivory, cream, or blush. Rich jewel tones photograph beautifully against the Sea Island architecture; deep navy and emerald are especially safe bets.
Black Tie Optional / Cocktail
A cocktail dress or dressy midi. Cocktail-length is safer than mini for Sea Island venues. Elegant separates work too — silk trousers with a beaded top, for example.
Brands we carry that work well for Sea Island weddings: Frances Valentine (their party dresses photograph beautifully and have serious construction), Finley (elevated separates), Hinson Wu (their crisp shirting elevates almost any pant), and Abbey Glass (Atlanta-based, cut for southern occasions).
Coastal Formal / Island Chic
A midi dress or a well-cut jumpsuit is nearly always right. Flowing silhouettes in silk, chiffon, or high-end cotton read appropriately for outdoor coastal ceremonies. Avoid stilettos on grass or crushed shell — block heels, wedges, or dressy flats are much smarter.
Shoes
This is the one every out-of-town guest gets wrong. Many Sea Island weddings involve some combination of grass (lawn ceremonies), crushed shell (paths and walkways), sand (Beach Club events), or wooden decking. Stilettos will sink, catch, or ruin.
Bring: - Wedges or block heels for the ceremony - Optional dressy flats or slides for the reception - Nothing brand-new — break shoes in before you fly
We carry Frances Valentine, NAOT, and Gabor shoes — the Gabor block-heel pumps in particular are a locals' favorite for weddings on the water.
The Welcome Party & Rehearsal Dinner
Sea Island wedding weekends often stretch across three or four events, each with its own vibe:
- Welcome party (Friday evening): usually Coastal Formal / Island Chic
- Rehearsal dinner (Friday): often at Halyards, The Georgian Room, or the Cloister — expect cocktail attire minimum
- Ceremony & reception (Saturday): follows the invitation
- Farewell brunch (Sunday): resort casual — a sundress, or a polo and khakis
Sea Island's Own Dress Codes Matter Too
If any part of your wedding weekend is at a Sea Island property venue, note that the resort itself enforces dress codes for many of its dining rooms — completely separate from the wedding attire. For example:
- The Georgian Room, Colt & Alison, and The Cloister Main Dining Room all require jackets for men, collared shirts, long pants, and closed-toe shoes (per Sea Island)
- The Beach Club, Southern Tide, and casual venues are relaxed during the day but require collared shirts for men after 5 p.m.
- The Cloister Lounge requires long-sleeve collared shirts for men (a sweater over one counts), long slacks or well-kept denim, and closed-toe shoes
If your after-party or brunch is at any of these venues, plan accordingly. Cargo shorts and flip flops will get you politely turned away.
The Local Advantage
If you're staying at The Cloister, The Lodge, King and Prince, Sea Palms, or a rental on Sea Island, we're a five-minute drive across the causeway at 26 Market Street on St. Simons Island — at the corner of Sea Island Road and Frederica Road.
We keep men's blazers in sizes 36–56, dress shirts, ties, cummerbunds, and shoes in stock. On the women's side, we carry occasion dresses and separates from Frances Valentine, Finley, Hinson Wu, and Abbey Glass, along with jewelry, handbags, wraps, and shoes.
If you know what you need in advance, call ahead — 912-638-9888 — and we'll have items pulled and waiting when you arrive. Ask for Ty or Robert for men's, or Kay for women's. We do this every weekend.
The Boatkin Bag
One coastal-formal note we can't help mentioning: our own Boatkin canvas tote has become a quiet favorite for Sea Island wedding guests. It's roomy enough to hold a change of shoes for after the ceremony, sunglasses, a wrap, sunscreen, and a program — and looks appropriate anywhere from a bridal luncheon to the beach. Available in seven colorways, in-store or online.
Contact & Directions
Planters Exchange 26 Market Street, Suite 110 St. Simons Island, GA 31522 (corner of Sea Island Road and Frederica Road)
📞 912-638-9888 | 💬 Text: 912-342-0411 ✉️ sales@plantersexchange.com
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM (closed Sundays)
Free 30-day returns on regular-priced items. Free shipping over $100.