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Once you’ve coordinated your wedding schedule, the next step is figuring out what to wear to all those nuptials. Between decoding dress codes (just how casual is a “casual” wedding, really?) and navigating different climates, this sort of occasion styling has far from a one-size-fits-all solution. So if you find yourself in the run-up to a fancy affair with a closet full of not-quite-right frocks and a looming deadline—don’t panic. We found the best wedding guest dresses to suit every possible style, venue, and budget.
The Best Wedding Guest Dresses, According to Vogue
Weddings are one of very few events in our modern age that require sticking to a certain dress code, and interpreting those themes can be tricky. While some requirements are set in stone, there can actually be a lot of creativity within these categories. For instance: A black-tie ceremony does necessitate floor-length gowns—but that doesn’t mean a shimmery, slate blue long sleeve dress is off the table. A fall or winter wedding might have you gravitating toward longer sleeves and cozier fabrics in the name of practicality, so why not pick a luxe texture like velvet to add some drama? And while a cocktail dress code or daytime fête definitely suggests more laid-back attire, there’s plenty of opportunity to stand out with the details—think, a feather-trimmed mini or an asymmetric neckline.
Whatever’s in the cards (we mean this literally—please read the invite carefully), our picks for the best wedding guest dresses cover a lot of ground.
- Spring Wedding Guest Dresses
- Black-Tie Wedding Guest Dresses
- Beach Wedding Guest Dresses
- Floral Wedding Guest Dresses
- Summer Wedding Guest Dresses
- Destination Wedding Guest Dresses
- Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
- Black Wedding Guest Dresses
- Daytime Wedding Guest Dresses
- Winter Wedding Guest Dresses
- Fall Wedding Guest Dresses
Spring Wedding Guest Dresses
Spring nuptials call for soft hues and pretty prints. Sir’s airy, verdant pattern will get you in the mood for a garden affair, while Chloé’s layers of citron silk ruffles pretty much work for anything, as far as we’re concerned. Minimalists will want to bookmark the streamlined silhouettes of Victoria Beckham’s fluttery pink midi dress and Galvan’s liquid-like maxi, which can be reworn more than once.
Black-Tie Wedding Guest Dresses
Formal weddings are your moment to go all out with dramatic lengths, unexpected draping, and shimmering metallic crepe. Labels like Simkhai, Victoria Beckham, and L’Idée show us how it’s done—and don’t forget the right jewels for a finishing touch.
Beach Wedding Guest Dresses
A shoreside ceremony is your cue to relax a little. Lighter-weight fabrics and simple silhouettes are fair game while you play with texture and pattern. Watercolor-like prints courtesy of Marrakshi Life and Donde Esteban are a perfect fit here, while sunset-colored gowns by Johanna Ortiz and Aje (the latter has the most beautiful embellished tiers of organza) echo beachy glam.
Floral Wedding Guest Dresses
This is one prompt that eliminates the guesswork; plus, you can never go wrong with a romantic bloom, whether it’s a rich autumnal floral or sweet pastel print. Keep accessories simple (sleek kitten heels and minimalist jewelry are the right choice here) and let the pattern do all the heavy lifting.
Summer Wedding Guest Dresses
Bold citrus hues, sultry slip dresses, and unexpected prints are the way to go for summer wedding dressing—Silvia Tcherassi and Zimmermann both offer exciting takes on bold patterns, while the lime-colored handkerchief hem of this Siedrés gown will have you glowing in the sunset of a golden hour ceremony.
Destination Wedding Guest Dresses
From Italian villas to rolling countrysides, the best way to go about a destination wedding is to take notes from your surroundings. Lean into the romance of a cobblestoned town with a rosy pink short sleeve dress from Bernadette, or buy into the breezy style of an island venue with Diarrablu’s ombré green number.
Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
Prepare to toast to the new couple in a fun cocktail dress. Loulou de Saison offers an utterly classic strapless column dress; or, you can opt for a short and sweet mini dress by Lapointe (this silhouette comes in a rainbow of color options). And don’t be afraid to have fun with a bolder piece like this sunny yellow dress from Staud—rich, vibrant colors are just the thing for these memorable moments.
Black Wedding Guest Dresses
The best way to bring personality to a dress code with a limited palette? Playing with the silhouette. Reach for a super chic column dress à la this caped one from Brandon Maxwell, or go classic with Staud’s A-line gown; it’s a closet staple in the making.
Daytime Wedding Guest Dresses
Attending a courthouse ceremony or a more intimate backyard celebration? Elevated comfort is the name of the game. Slip on an easy-going dress with a modern finish—like Banana Republic’s silk dress in splashy chartreuse—or go for a polka-dotted midi from Reformation for a look that’s both playful and polished.
Winter Wedding Guest Dresses
The coldest days of the year come with the quandary of formal dressing for freezing temps (is there anything worse than having to cover a great dress with a puffer coat?) Go more covered up in Taller Marmo’s red caped gown or a long-sleeved option by Abadia. Or, fully embrace winter glam in metallic gold by Emilia Wickstead and soft velvet from Rodarte.
Fall Wedding Guest Dresses
The autumn wedding season calls for dresses in a warm, rich palette. Victoria Beckham’s burgundy-hued silk design and Christopher John Rogers’s sculptural plum midi are both universally flattering colors, while this celery-colored strapless gown is a good option for those keen to bring the drama. Make it an outfit with a silk shawl or pashmina draped around your shoulders once the temperatures dip during cocktail hour.
