What To Wear To A Farm Wedding: 5 Outfit Ideas For Guests

So, you’ve been invited to a wedding by someone you know who’s getting married. 

Yay! 

But wait. 

What’s that it says on the invitation? 

The dress code is farm formal? 

“What even is farm formal wedding attire?” you ask yourself. 

And then you probably wound up on this website a few minutes later. 

Well, now that you’re here, you don’t need to worry because we’re going to take you through the basics, as well as some tips that may help you.

1. Keep To The Fundamentals of Style

We’re talking about the bare necessities. 

These are the essential concepts that apply to every good outfit and wardrobe, regardless of the style or season. 

A good place to start is learning a bit about Color Theory—the art/science of figuring out which colors go well with which others. 

Some colors match seamlessly while others clash, and you want to be deliberate about which ones you choose. 

You don’t need to become an expert in it or go back to school for it. 

But it helps to know some of the basics.

Adhere To The Rule of 3

Have you ever seen someone who was wearing… too much? 

We don’t mean that they were covering up too much skin. 

Rather, we mean there was too much going on with their outfit. 

It was too busy to the point that it was almost physically painful to look at, as if you were looking into a bright light or watching one of those old ‘90s cartoons that got canceled for giving kids seizures. 

Well, among other things, that was probably because they were not following the Rule of 3 and probably didn’t even know it existed. 

You can avoid making the same mistake by learning this rule and applying it to your farm formal wedding attire. 

2. Adapt To The Seasons

Depending on where you are and what part of the country you’re in, the temperature and weather conditions can vary wildly. 

Wearing a light sundress in winter isn’t a good idea—not because it isn’t pretty, but because it isn’t going to keep you warm. 

You’ll want to ensure you wear items made from appropriate materials and layer your clothing as much or as little as the season requires. 

Likewise, if you’re attending a wedding during a hotter month, keep in mind that farm formal wedding attire is clothing that generally doesn’t show too much skin. 

A little bit of leg or a shoulder is fine, but you don’t want to look like you’re about to go to a football game or a concert.

3. Draw Upon Nature For Inspiration

The fact that you’re reading this article means that you’re going to be on a farm. 

And a farm is one of those places designed to be a space where humans commune with nature in a way. 

If nothing else, it’s where we get our food from. 

So we have to be in tune with it to at least some degree. 

So, take inspiration from it, try to select fabrics and materials that come from it (instead of itchy nylon or polyester), and harmonize with its color scheme if you can. 

Some of the best farm formal wedding attire ideas are sparked by simply observing the natural surroundings. 

For example, you could wear a light green dress with strawberry berets in your hair for a very cute and innocent look. 

Or you could aim to emulate the clouds and sky, like the lovely lady pictured below.

4. Accessorize

Whether it’s strawberry berets, a handbag with honeybees on it, or a flower in your hair, there are so many nature-inspired accessories you can choose to complete your outfit. 

Once again, the natural world is all around you on a farm, and you need only to look around to get ideas. 

But if you find yourself blanking, there’s no need to fret because you can also lean on tradition. 

You can always default to the tried-and-true staples of farm formal wedding attire, such as the wide-brim hat, plaid, large belt buckles, and cowboy/cowgirl boots. 

Speaking of which…

5. Don’t Forget Footwear

Leather boots aren’t for everyone, and unless otherwise stated in the invitation, they’re probably not required. 

But they do look and feel pretty great. 

If you get the good ones (made in America, Mexico, or Argentina), they’ll also last for years. 

Just remember to rub them with boot grease every 6-12 months or so to keep them crisp and vibrant. 

As for not-boots, you’ve got a wide range of options to select from. 

Everything from Converse All Stars to stylish flats is on the table as long as your chosen footwear provides the traction and protection from dirt you need. 

If the farm is out there and there won’t be much concrete or even ground for you to walk on, high heels might not be the way, and a pair of boots or Converses will do you better. 

And if you’re in any doubt as to whether your shoes comply with the dress code, just ask the couple for clarification on what’s allowed. 

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask

The concept of farm formal wedding attire is still kind of a new thing, and we’re all still collectively working out the kinks to some degree. 

So, don’t stress too much—just ask the couple (or whoever is organizing) for more pointers if you feel confused. 

Some couples are ok with jeans and some aren’t, depending on what the word ‘formal’ means in their mind when it occurs beside the word ‘farm.’ 

Once you’ve got more clarity from them, you can go from there and apply the tips we’ve given you here.c