Families sometimes ask whether there is a dress code for the ceremony. There isn't — what you wear should honor the person you're celebrating and serve the practical realities of spending several hours on an ocean-going vessel. Both of those things are achievable at once.
The most common clothing mistake at a sea ceremony is underdressing. San Diego's air temperature on shore does not predict conditions offshore. Three miles out, with wind and sea spray, the apparent temperature is often 10 to 20 degrees cooler than the harbor. A June morning that feels warm at the dock can feel genuinely cold at the ceremony site.
Layers are the answer: a base layer, something warm for the transit and the ceremony, and an outer layer that blocks wind. These can all be flattering and appropriate — a blazer over a sweater, a windbreaker over a dress, a warm wool layer under a coat. Plan for the ceremony, not for the dock.
Flat, closed-toe shoes are safest on a moving vessel. Rubber soles grip wet decks. High heels, flip-flops, and open sandals are all manageable at the dock but create real hazards on a vessel underway in ocean swells. If the ceremony is formal and heels are important to you, wear them to the harbor and bring a change of footwear for the voyage.
Both are correct. Some families come in black and treat the ceremony as the full equivalent of a funeral service. Others come in the colors the deceased loved, or in sailing clothes, or in whatever was practical. Military families often wear dress uniforms or ribbons. What matters is that the clothing honors the occasion — the specific definition of honor is the family's to make.
Bring sunscreen regardless of the season. The UV index offshore is higher than on shore, and coastal clouds do not block UV. On rough days, the bow and sides of the vessel take spray; if you want to stand near the rail during the transit, a light waterproof layer is worthwhile. The salon below is dry and protected; families sensitive to cold or spray can always step below during the motor out.