Wedding Guest Dresses 101: Best Dresses for Summer Weddings

It is officially wedding season, and that means finding some great wedding guest dresses to wear whether you have one wedding or ten weddings to go to this Summer, and I have you covered with dresses for every budget and wedding style from head to toe! Going to a wedding as a guest can sometimes be confusing on what to wear depending on the time of day, venue, etc… I have the 101 on guest of wedding attire etiquette! I actually worked in the dresses department at Nordstrom for 2 years during college!

Typically, the invitation will say the dress code the couple prefers, whether it be casual or black tie. If the invitation doesn’t say, pay attention to the time of day and venue locations for other clues on what is appropriate attire. In my opinion, it is always better to be overdressed than underdressed. There are also a few “dont’s” no matter how formal or informal the wedding is. A few of these include to never wear all white unless the bridal party requests this(a white dress with a large colorful print on it is okay though), and never wear jeans or jean shorts unless the bridal party says it’s okay if it is super casual.

A beach wedding or day wedding is typically going to be a more casual dress. Although, a mid day wedding could still expect formal attire if the location is more formal, such as at a Country Club or a fancy venue. A late afternoon or evening wedding will typically be more of a formal vibe, ranging from cocktail dresses for a formal attire to long, evening gowns for black tie affairs. Read on to for a breakdown of casual, cocktail, and formal appropriate dresses from some of my favorite retailers for guest of wedding dresses!

Nordstrom

Nordstrom always has a great selection of dresses for a guest of a wedding in store and online! Online you can filter by style, how formal the wedding is, length of dress, etc…so it makes your search super easy! This is usually my first spot to look for dresses when I need one. They typically have one of the best selections for black tie and long evening gowns I have found as well.

Casual or Semi-Formal

Casual or semi-formal are usually daytime weddings where you can wear a nice sundress or maxi dress and keep your accessories pretty simple.

Shoes, Bags, and Accessories

Cocktail/Formal/Black-Tie Optional

These weddings are typically during the evening, and the types of attire you would wear can be from a cocktail dress to a long, evening dress.

Black Tie

Black tie is an evening affair, and requires a super chic cocktail dress or a more formal long evening gown. Darker colors are typically best for this type of wedding.

Formal Shoes, Bags, and Accessories

Revolve

Revolve always has an amazing selection of unique cocktail dresses, so you know you won’t be wearing the same dress as anyone else at the party! They have so many designers and price ranges to choose from as well.

Casual or Semi-Formal

Shoes, Bags, and Accessories

Cocktail/Formal/Black-Tie Optional

Black Tie

Formal Shoes, Bags, and Accessories

Shop Reddress

Shop Reddress has so many cute dresses at such affordable prices! You can get a designer dupe dress on here for a fraction of the cost, which I love.

Casual or Semi-Formal

Cocktail/Formal/Black-Tie Optional

Black Tie

Shoes, Bags, and Accessories

Goodnight Macaroon

Goodnight Macaroon has some super cute dresses on this site, and they have a great selection of super affordable casual and cocktail dresses! It does take a bit to receive though unless you do express shipping, so make sure you order in plenty of time!

Casual or Semi-Formal

Cocktail/Formal/Black-Tie Optional

Shoes, Bags, and Accessories

BCBG MaxAzria

BCBG is always one of my go to spots when I need a cocktail or formal dress as well because they fit so well, and typically that is hard to find as a more petite person! They have beautiful, high quality cocktail and formal, evening gowns!

Cocktail/Formal/Black-Tie Optional

Black-Tie

Shoes, Bags, and Accessories

Asos

Asos always has great online shopping options, and so many choices when it comes to wedding guest dresses! The price range is pretty wide as well, so it is easy to find something cute for any budget!

Casual or Semi-Formal

Shoes, Bags, and Accessories

Cocktail/Formal/Black-Tie Optional

Black-Tie

Formal Shoes, Bags, and Accessories

Thanks for reading, and I hope this helps you to feel confident in what to wear as a guest of any wedding! Let me know if you have weddings you will be attending in the comments!