If you're facing a jam-packed summer of weddings, with a social calendar that practically calls for 27 dresses (almost), you might want to start thinking about wedding guest dresses. Frankly, the sooner, the better. Because from engagement announcement to save-the-dates to wedding celebrations in far-flung locations that require at least two days of annual leave to fully enjoy the poolside soiree beforehand and the barbecue after, it will prove stressful to organise all of your outfits at the final hour. Fret not, though, because we've got you covered on all the guest dresses to add to your wardrobe. (And don't forget, if you've got a bunch of friends who are similarly preoccupied with sourcing enough wedding guest dresses to cover all eventualities - countryside wedding, beach wedding, church wedding, forest wedding - it might prove useful to pool your resources. Five wardrobes are better than one, after all).
Choosing what style of dress to wear, of course, depends on the location or time of year of the wedding you're attending. Once you've factored in any requirements (i.e. a dress that will look good with a coat thrown over the top for the walk from the church to the coach to the stately home), as well as style preferences (long, short, puffy, slinky, sleeves, no sleeves), that's when the fun begins.
The Best Wedding Guest Dresses At A Glance:
Editor's choice: Reiss High Neck Halter Neck, £90, Buy Now On Reiss
Best Long Sleeve Wedding Guest Dress: Nobody's Child Long Sleeve Maxi Dress, £39, Buy Now On Nobody's Child
Best Polka Dot Wedding Guest Dress: Rixo Polka Dot V Neck Dress, £225, Buy Now On Rixo
If you've already been searching through countless pages of wedding guest outfits, we recommend looking to tried-and-tested brands that are known for their dresses like Reformation, Rixo and Self-Portrait, whose collection of mini, midi, and maxi dresses are perfect for all occasions, especially weddings. With occasionwear such a focus year in, year out on the high street, you'll also find that your favourite shops for off-duty dresses - like M&S, Nobody's Child, Kitri, Whistles and Boden - have plenty to offer when it goes to wedding guest dresses.
You also might be looking to shop a maternity wedding guest dress to look and feel your best so don't forget to check out our handy guide to find a dress that will make you feel comfortable on the inside and out.
Keep scrolling to shop some of our favourite wedding guest dresses, guaranteed to make you want to wear them to every occasion in your diary. They include prints and patterns galore, from ditzy florals to perfect polka dots, all in a rainbow of colour.
SHOP: The Best Wedding Guest Dresses
www.hobbs.com
Available in petite or regular, with a size range from 6-18, Hobbs' wisteria-print dress is flecked with tiny sequins that will catch the light on the dance floor.
www.lkbennett.com
Also available in pink, which has almost completely sold out, LK Bennett's puff-sleeved, silk-organza dress is clearly a winner for wedding season.
kitristudio.com
This patchwork dress of pastel dreams is the one for mini fans.
www.ghost.co.uk
Ghost is king of satin bridesmaid dresses, but its wedding guest dress selection is also on-point, like this leaf green, polka dot number.
www.mytheresa.com
Galvan's halter-neck satin gowns are legendary for their oh-so-sleek column silhouettes and luxurious jewel-like colours.
www.mytheresa.com
Aya Muse's plunging, scarf-detail maxi dress is a sublime (and sexy) choice for a wedding with a black-tie dress code.
www.net-a-porter.com
Printed with drooping wisteria blossoms, Bernadette's one-shouldered gown is the definition of romance.
www.net-a-porter.com
Solace London Thalia gown, with its giant ruffle and strapless neckline, will be the life and soul of the wedding party.
www.boden.co.uk
Available in two different fits, petite and regular, as well as sizes UK 4-22, Boden's gardenia-print maxi dress proves that shirt dresses can most definitely pass muster on the wedding guest dress circuit.
www.monsoon.co.uk
Monsoon's bridesmaid dresses are famously brilliant, but its wedding guest dress selection is also worth a browse. This button-front dress with a cinched empire-line silhouette is so easy to wear.
www.omnes.com
Made with recycled polyester, Omnes' mindfully-made occasionwear collection includes this long-sleeved violet dream of a dress.
www.whistles.com
This daisy-printed sleeveless dress will definitely win the battle of the florals on the dance floor.
www.meandem.com
With a sultry cut, and a lustrous finish to its lightweight jersey, this dress will add instant glow to your wedding guest wardrobe.
www.karenmillen.com
Karen Millen's selection of wedding guest dresses that can be worn summer in, summer out is pretty much unparalleled on the high street. This pistachio green column dress is this year's take on sage.
www.zara.com
Part of the brand's utility collection that's about refined simplicity, Zara SRPLS, this butter yellow dress is perfect for a town hall ceremony.
www.cos.com
COS' T-shirt dress is an elegant yet easy to wear option for this summer's wedding circuit, with a punchy tomato pigment that will most definitely stand out.
www.arket.com
Grey might seem like an unusual shade to choose for a wedding celebration but like black, navy and even beige, it can be a seriously chic option. Arket's relaxed bandeau could easily be dressed up with a collar necklace or a statement bag.
www.riverisland.com
Take note: single flower stems have taken over wallpaper-style ditsy prints as the floral dress style for 2024. River Island's take in bodycon mesh, available in blue or pink, is the fashion girlie's dream for wedding guest season.
www.nobodyschild.com
Nobody's Child's watercolour-print dress is this season's move on from florals. With full sleeves and a midaxi hemline, it'll be comfortable to wear all day, all night for your next wedding.
www.reiss.com
Reiss' wedding guest dress is made from a body-hugging viscose jersey, which ruches at the hips. Its coral shade will cheer up any grey skylines in photos, while its halter-neck is trending this summer.
Best Polka Dot Wedding Guest Dress
rixorixolondon.com
This navy and white dress from Rixo may not be an obvious choice, but combined with polka dots, this is a chic option for a city wedding. The print offsets the white, meaning you won't be regarded as some sort of thunder-stealer, and you can add colour to your accessories.
Best Silk Wedding Guest Dress
Reformationwww.thereformation.com
A muted take on a floral dress for Reformation, the silky fabric gives a perfectly luxurious feel. Wear it on its own for summer weddings, or add an oversized blazer when it's cooler.
What Colour Should I Wear To A Wedding?
Unless you're specifically requested to don an ivory frock (it happens! J-Lo did it), we're saying avoid wearing white to a wedding at all costs. This is a chance to try out a little colour, opt for a print, and maybe even stray away from black, although you can definitely wear black to a wedding if you wish.
What Length Of Dress Should I Wear To A Wedding?
We love a midi length as they're super easy to wear, no fuss and ideal for swishing around a dance floor. An easy breezy maxi dress makes an ideal wedding guest for when temperatures are on the hotter side. Just throw on with a pair of sandals and some statement earrings, and you've got an elegant outfit in seconds. For those who love a mini dress, these can make the perfect wedding guest dress, too. It's about wearing what you feel most comfortable in.
Whether you're after something classic, something bold and bright or a stand-out print, you name it, we've got the most stylish wedding guest outfit options. And you really will want to wear them again and again - no matter the weather.
How To Accessorise Your Wedding Guest Dress
Again, when it comes to the finishing touches, wedding guest dressing is all about making a subtle statement. Even if you've opted for a pastel dress or suit, you can make your outfit pop with brightly-coloured accessories. Statement earrings are, of course, an easy and brilliant way to jazz up any outfit.
As for shoes, they can be bold, but stick to classic styles like low heels so can wear them all day long, or a black heel so you'll know they'll go with the rest of your wardrobe.
When it comes to winter weddings, the same rules apply, but make sure to add a sleek blazer (don't shy away from wool blazers, just make sure to choose a poppy colour) and, if it's super cold out, a heeled boot works wonders for warmth but doesn't compromise on style.
Julia Harvey is Shopping Editor for Grazia UK and has been for the past two and a half years, overseeing and editing all things shopping for the title from trend pages, gift guides and the best things to buy now in both print and online. Having previously worked at other women's magazines, Elle UK, Glamour and British Vogue, Julia has gained over eight years of experience within the fashion industry, graduating from Nottingham Trent University with a First Class degree in Fashion Communication and Promotion.