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Black is the photography uniform, right? It’s classic, neutral, hides sweat, and helps you blend in. But sometimes black just isn’t the vibe. Maybe the couple requested a specific color, the wedding party is wearing black, or you’re just ready to mix things up with breathable, summery colors that still look professional and feel great all day long.
When I first started second shooting weddings, I was lost when it came to what to wear—and I always stuck with black, nervous to venture out. But not anymore! I scoured the internet for inspiration and ended up with a handful of go-to pieces that were breathable, stylish, and photo-ready. This blog is all about those gems: lightweight, non-black summer wedding photographer outfits that help you stay cool, look polished, and move freely.
What to Avoid When You’re Not Wearing Black
You might have more color freedom here, but there are still a few important rules:
- Avoid white or anything too close to it—you don’t want to compete with the bride.
- Skip neon or overly loud patterns that can be distracting or reflect color casts.
- Be careful not to match the bridal party unless you’re specifically asked to.
- And as always—comfort is key. You need to move, bend, and climb stairs with ease.
Color Palette Inspiration for Summer Weddings
When opting out of black, go for tones that blend beautifully into a summer wedding aesthetic:
- Muted greens like sage or olive
- Soft pastels like lavender, dusty rose, or blush
- Warm neutrals like taupe or soft browns
- Earth tones like terracotta or clay
- Deep navy as a sophisticated neutral
Dresses That Feel Light But Look Professional
Choose midi to maxi lengths in breathable materials like cotton, linen, or rayon. Look for flowy fits, functional pockets, and covered shoulders.
Longer Dresses:
- Women’s Flowy V-Neck Maxi Dress – this one has become an absolute favorite and I get complimented on it all the time!
- Sleeveless Square Neck Summer Flowy Dress – with pockets!!!!
- Women’s Ruffled Sleeve Belted V-Neck Casual Dress – I am OBSESSED with this color, and this one has SO many options! 🙂
- PRINT: Flutter Sleeved Round Neck Summer Maxi Dress – LOVE this Coffee Floral option – this one also has other great print and solid options!
- Summer Sleeveless Pleated Flowy Swing Cocktail Dress
- Sleeveless Summer Maxi Dress – with Pockets!
Shorter Dresses
- Semi-Formal V-Back Knee Length Cocktail Dress – this back is SO cute!
- PRINT: Casual Square-Neck Midi Sundress – with Pocket!
- PRINT: Short Sleeved V-Neck Midi Sundress
- Short-Sleeved Casual V-Neck Midi Dress – with Pockets!
- Short Sleeved Button Down Summer Midi Dress
- PRINT: Elegant Cross Dress Knee Length – with Pockets!
- Also, solid options– almost all of these are perfect!
- Sleeveless A-Line Midi Cocktail Dress
Jumpsuits & Rompers for Comfort + Coverage
Jumpsuits are a favorite among photographers for good reason: you can bend, move, and crouch without worry.
- Wide Leg Pant One-Piece Romper – I have no words for how many great color options there are here!
- Rib Knit Ruffle Cap Sleeve Romper – same as above with the color options! 💙
- Summer Ruffle Sleeve Drawstring Jumpsuit
- Summer Dressy Off Shoulder Jumpsuit – this one is great to be dressed up or down! I’ve seen people add a belt or a jacket tied around the waist, too, in case it gets cooler at night!
- Short Sleeve Loose Belted Wide Leg Jumpsuit
- Dressy One-Shoulder Wide Leg Romper – this is SOO cute and also has SO many colors!
- Summer Dressy or Casual Square Neck Short Sleeve Romper
Tops + Bottoms (If You Prefer a Mix & Match Style)
Bottoms – I usually always do black bottoms – all of the options below will have black or colored options!
- Bootleg Cut Black Business Casual Stretchy Trousers
- High Waisted Loose Adjustable Paper Bag Pants
- High Waisted Cropped Button Down Paper Bag Pants
- Yoga Dress Capris with Pockets – I prefer these in black, but there are other colors!
- Stretchy Capri Work Pants – I prefer these in black, but there are other colors!
- *Controversial Pick! Stretchy black yoga pants with pockets – Yes, they’re yoga pants—but if they’re what you feel most comfortable in and you style them well, they can pass for dressy trousers. Pair with a polished top and a few accessories to elevate the look. Just make sure they’re fresh, clean, and in good shape, and you’re good to go! I only do these in black, but there are other color options!
Tops
- Women’s V-Neck Summer Top
- Women’s Square-Neck Half Sleeve Top
- V-Neck Rolled Sleeve Button Loose T-Shirt
- Women’s Crew Neck Pleated From Cap Sleeve T-Shirt
- Women’s Pleated Puff Sleeve Summer V-Neck T-Shirt
- Short Sleeved Loose Collared V-Neck Buttoned Blouse
- Sleeveless Loose V-Neck Tank Top
- Sleeveless Slim Fitted Crew Neck Tank Top
- Basic Ribbed Fit Tank Top
Shoes That Save Your Feet & Style
Being on your feet all day means your shoes really matter. I still stick with black for shoes – they blend in easily, and it’s my preference – I am extra careful and don’t even wear white shoes! Lol. Here are my go-to summer wedding shoes:
Accessories for Wedding Day
Hair Accessories: Keep your hair out of your face with clips, scrunchies, or a simple headband. Stylish and practical for long wedding days.
- Velvet Hair Scrunchie
- Silk Satin Hair Scrunchie
- Simple 1-inch Headband
- Women’s Headbands – SO many good color options!
- Women’s Large Hair Bow
Jewelry: Go for minimal, non-distracting jewelry—think studs, delicate necklaces, and simple rings. It adds polish without getting in your way.
- Women’s Simple Watch – Swap out your Apple Watch for a classic beauty!
- Women’s Simple Necklace
- Women’s Layered Necklace
- Women’s Simple Letter Necklace
- Women’s Simple Ankle Bracelet
- Women’s Petite Ankle Bracelet
Slim Black Belt: Perfect for cinching in dresses or jumpsuits for a more defined shape. You can match your buckle to your jewelry to tie it together!
- Black Leather Belt with Gold Buckle
- Black Leather Belt with Silver Buckle
- Black Leather Belt with Black Buckle
Bonus: Summer Survival Kit for Wedding Photographers
Wedding days are long, and summer heat can be brutal. Keep these extras in your bag or car to stay cool, fresh, and comfortable all day:
- Lens Wipes – keep your glass clean and fog-free
- Sanitizing Wipes – SO important for hands before touching dresses or gear!!
- Cooling Neck Towel – just soak in water, wring, and wear!
- Hand Held USB Rechargeable Fan – yes, really! You can sneak this on breaks
- Battery Operated Misting Fan – quick face spritz in 90°+ heat
- Hydration Reminder Water Bottle – with time markers to keep you going
- Or if you like long lasting ice and somewhere to set, I love my 40 oz. Stanley!
- Camera Harnesses! – to keep weight off your neck
- Witch Hazel Wipes – freshen up mid-day
- Transparent Deodorant Stick – perfect for outdoor ceremonies
- Body Sunscreen – easy to apply without the mess
- Oil Blotting Sheets or Makeup Setting/Refreshing Spray – combat shine and sweat
- Bug/Tick Spray – essential for outdoor venues
- Compact First Aid Kit – for blisters, bites, or cuts
- Polarized Sunglasses – especially helpful for harsh mid-day sun
- Gatorade or Gatorade Zero, Protein Granola Bars, and Water – stay fueled and hydrated on long wedding days!
Pro Tip: Bring a Backup
Always keep a spare outfit (or top) in your car just in case. Between sweat, spills, and surprise weather, you’ll be glad you planned ahead!
After the Wedding!
Your body worked hard—don’t forget to take care of it! Stretch, hydrate, and use a cooling muscle rub or soak to ease soreness after a long day on your feet.
- 3-Pair Tall Black Compression Socks
- Ankle Compression Socks
- Fingerless Compression Gloves
- Yoga Toes GEMS Toe Stretcher and Separators – these are one of the BEST things I have ever purchased! I swear by these! 😂 After a long day on your feet at a wedding or event, these gel toe separators help stretch and realign your toes. They “hurt so good” but make a massive difference in reducing foot soreness. Slip them on for an hour, and you’ll feel the relief the next day, if not right away!
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re wearing sage green, navy, or clay, the key to summer wedding photographer outfits is breathability, flexibility, and style. I hope this guide helps you feel amazing, look professional, and capture every beautiful moment without melting in the process.
Looking for More Black Clothing Options?
Prefer to skip the colors but still want to stay cool and wedding-appropriate? Click here for my favorite summery wedding attire in black!
Or just need summer outfits for non-wedding photo sessions? Check out my summer photoshoot outfit guide here.
*Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Pinterest! Visit my website to sign up for my newsletter to get all the tips, tricks, and first to know’s about upcoming sessions!
Hi! I'm Stefaney
Born and raised in Southeast Michigan, fiance to my best friend, Josh, and cat mom to the two sweetest babes, Apollo and Orion! I'm so glad you're here and I can't wait to capture the magic of your story. Grab a cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage!), get comfy, and let's connect!
Meet Stefaney
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