57 Summer Wedding Guest Dresses: The Ultimate Edit
Looking for the perfect summer wedding guest dress like these stylish ladies? You've come to the right place with our ultimate edit of 57 summer wedding guest dresses for 2024.
An upcoming wedding is the perfect excuse to buy a new outfit and get dressed up to celebrate your friend's special day. Summer weddings are a great occasion to embrace bright colors and choose a fun dress or two-piece that you can wear again and again.
We've dived into the Wedding Sparrow archives to find the most stylish real wedding guests and scoured the shops to find the most beautiful wedding guest dresses to suit a range of body types and budgets. Plus our top tips will help you choose an outfit that feels cool and comfortable, whatever the location.
Marchesa Notte | Badgley Mischka | Farm Rio
Mac Duggal | Bhldn | Eliza J
Summer wedding guest dress codes
While warmer weather may have you in a more laid-back state of mind, summer wedding attire still has a sense of formality. Key factors such as the location, venue and dress code provide a guideline of what you should wear, but if in doubt, an elegant mid-length floaty dress and block heels is always a safe choice. Let's look at the most popular summer wedding guest dress code and how to interpret them...
Sézane | Hutch | Reformation
Alex Perry | Dress the Population | Alexis
Formal summer wedding guest attire
Formal summer wedding attire can encompass both white tie and black tie dress codes, which is straightforward for men but more open-ended for women. For ladies, black-tie dress codes generally mean a full-length dress (or a women's tuxedo), paired with heels or dressy flats.
Crucially, a black-tie dress code doesn't refer to the color of your dress so don't be afraid to play with with color. Elements like a halter neckline, one-shoulder sleeve or strapless style can all make your formal outfit great for summer. Elevate your ensemble with accessories like statement earrings, a bold headpiece, or luxe loafers (sans socks!) to complete the look.
Adrianna Papell | Doen | Anthropologie
Chelsea 28 | Chelsea 28 | Hutch
Cocktail or semi-formal wedding dress code
There's much more flexibility with cocktail and semi-formal dress codes but keep in mind what is appropriate for a wedding setting and the type of venue you're attending. For example, a short dress is fine, but don't go too short and perhaps pair with long-sleeves or a high neckline to avoid flashing too much skin. You could also consider a great fluid trouser and top with heels, or a chic jumpsuit with statement earrings and platform sandals.
Petal & Pup | Endless Rose | Petal & Pup
Julia Jordan | Doen | Chelsea 28
Carolina Herrera | Rodarte | Hannah Artwear
Beach wedding dress code attire
If you're invited to a beach wedding, chances are you'll need an outfit that caters for humidity, and perhaps wind and uneven terrain, like sand, pebbles or rocks. The same flexibility as a cocktail dress code applies here so don't be afraid of prints, colors and fun accessories. Focus on breathable, natural fabrics and colors that fit in with the environment, like brights in a tropical location like Hawaii, or muted tones for relaxed beach settings, like the Hamptons or Martha's Vineyard.
Sand-friendly shoes are crucial, so think flat or wedge sandals or espadrilles, or a pretty embellished evening slide. And don’t forget a top layer for when warm days turn into cooler nights. A linen bomber or a tuxedo jacket are great choices for a modern look.
Reformation | Hutch | V Chapman
Ramy Brook | CIEBON | Sachin & Babi
Dress the Population | Doen | WAYF
Chelsea 28 | Mac Duggal | WAYF
Mac Duggal | Sezane | Mac Duggal
Helsi | Anthropolgie | Monique Lhuillier
Informal dress codes or casual attire
Informal definitely doesn’t mean don’t try. The sartorial goal here is effortless, yet still put together and polished. Dress for the weather and the venue, and your own style and comfort. Ideas include a day dress with a fun flat instead of a heel, a pretty two piece and block heels, or a modern wide-leg trouser, a sandal, and maybe a blouse or camisole. Avoid denim and sports shoes, but a box fresh white slip-on trainer can work if the rest of the outfit is smart.
En Saison | Cinq a Sept | ASTR The Label
LoveShackFancy | Petal & Pup | Farm Rio