All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, we may earn affiliate revenue on this article and commission when you buy something.
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
Featured in this article
Weddings are one of very few events in our modern age that require sticking to a certain dress code, and interpreting those dress codes can be tricky. While some requirements are set in stone, there can actually be a lot of creativity within these categories. A black-tie ceremony does necessitate floor-length gowns; but that doesn’t mean a vibrant citron-colored option 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 (literally, read the invite carefully), our picks for the best wedding guest dresses cover a lot of ground.
- Fall Wedding Guest Dresses
- Winter Wedding Guest Dresses
- Black-Tie Wedding Guest Dresses
- Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
- Black Wedding Guest Dresses
- Destination Wedding Guest Dresses
- Floral Wedding Guest Dresses
- Daytime Wedding Guest Dresses
- Beach Wedding Guest Dresses
- Spring Wedding Guest Dresses
- Summer Wedding Guest Dresses
Fall Wedding Guest Dresses
As we head into the official autumn wedding season, we’re eyeing dresses in a warm, rich palette. Staud’s burgundy-hued scarf design and Tove’s berry-colored midi are both universally flattering colors, while Khaite and Mango offer options from halternecks to dramatic maxis in an ever-trendy chocolate brown.
Winter Wedding Guest Dresses
The coldest days of the year are fast approaching, which means we ll soon have to face 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 Brandon Maxwell. Or fully embrace winter glam in metallic gold by Emilia Wickstead and luxe, coppery velvet from Me+Em.
Black-Tie Wedding Guest Dresses
Formal weddings are your moment to go all out with dramatic lengths, unexpected draping, and chiffon overlays. Labels like Simkhai, The New Arrivals, and Lapointe show us how it’s done (the latter is especially well-versed in adding festive feather touches to a simple satin gown).
Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
Prepare to toast to the new couple in a fun cocktail dress. Bernadette offers an utterly classic strapless column dress complete with a sweet bow detail; 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 fringed floral dress from Mango—unexpected textures and 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 Khaite, or go classic with Staud s A-line gown; it s a closet staple in the making.
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 rose-embellished satin dress from Dôen, or buy into the breezy style of an island venue with Zimmerman’s perfectly caped number.
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.
Daytime Wedding Guest Dresses
Attending a courthouse ceremony or a more intimate celebration? Elevated comfort is the name of the game. Slip on an easy-going dress with a modern finish—like Proenza Schouler’s drop-waist halter—or go for a polka-dotted midi from Reformation for a look that’s both playful and polished.
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. A watercolored gradient courtesy of Jason Wu echoes beachy sunsets, while slinky maxis by Retrofete and J.Crew are a perfect fit for beachy glam.
Spring Wedding Guest Dresses
Spring nuptials call for soft hues and pretty prints. Zimmerman’s airy layers will get you in the mood for a garden affair, while Cult Gaia’s verdant gown is fit for a tropical locale. Minimalists will want to bookmark Victoria Beckham’s fluttery pink midi dress, which can be reworn more than once.
Summer Wedding Guest Dresses
Bold citrus hues, sultry slip dresses, and unexpected prints are the way to go for summer wedding dressing—Dries Van Noten and Donde Esteban both offer exciting takes on bold patterns, while the lemon-colored ruffles of this Amur gown will have you glowing in the sunset of a golden hour ceremony.
