Wednesday, July 5, 2023

26 Summer Wedding Guest Dresses For Black Tie Affairs & Casual Parties

Finding a wedding guest dress you feel comfortable and look great in is no small feat. Add in the complexities of dressing for summer — hello, wrinkly fabrics and visible sweat marks— and you’ve got a major project on your hand. The good news? Even if your calendar is already chock-full of save the dates through September, that doesn’t mean you have to waste your weekend braving the fluorescent-lit dressing rooms at your local mall to find the perfect summer wedding guest dress.

The best summer wedding guest dresses for every kind of body, budget, and occasion do exist — and they can all be delivered to your doorstep faster than you can say, “Miss me with that bouquet toss.” 

Whether you’re shopping for a stylish plus-size cocktail dress for your cousin’s formal destination wedding, looking for a trendy dress that won’t break the bank for your BFF’s casual backyard affair, or are searching for the perfect slip dress that you can toss a jean jacket over come fall, we’ve got you covered.

Ahead, we’ve rounded up the 25 best summer wedding guest dresses on the market, spanning a wide range of sizes, styles, and price points. All you have left to do is pick out that perfect mani color, strap on your trusty pair of dancing shoes, and raise your glass to the happy couple. 

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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Black Tie Wedding Guest Dresses


Dress to impress for black-tie weddings. The formal affair calls for cascading gowns in satin, tulle, and silk fabrics. Feel free to dive into your red carpet dreams of rich gem tones, or opt for a lighter pastel-hued shades. No matter your vibe, there's a range of summer wedding guest dresses perfect for your upcoming formal affairs.

Shop Lulus

Lulus Spellbinding Beauty Navy Glitter Sleeveless Tulle Maxi, $, available at Lulus

BCBG Max Azaria Kiana One Shoulder Gown


Shop BCBG MAX AZARIA

BCBG MAX AZARIA Kiana One Shoulder Gown, $, available at BCBG MAX AZRIA

ASOS EDITION Satin Off-the-Shoulder Drape Wrap Maxi Dress


Shop ASOS

ASOS EDITION Satin Off-the-Shoulder Drape Wrap Maxi Dress, $, available at ASOS

Birdy Grey Mia Convertible Satin Dress


Shop Birdy Grey

Birdy Grey Mia Convertible Dress Curve, $, available at Birdy Grey

L'Idée Renaissance Sleeveless Pleated Gown


Shop Saks Fifth Avenue

L'IDEE Renaissance Sleeveless Pleated Gown, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Reformation Frankie Silk Dress Es


Shop Reformation


Reformation Frankie Silk Dress Es, $, available at Reformation

Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses


Get ready to dance all night long with a cool drink in hand in a sleek cocktail dress. Pick a midi-length style with eye-catching details like a one-shoulder neckline, puffy sleeves, or a frilly skirt for a bit more summer pizzazz. Cocktail dresses are tried and true and will have you looking perfectly on theme no matter what.

Shop Nordstrom

ELLIATT Cassini One-Shoulder Dress, $, available at Nordstrom

& Other Stories Babydoll Tied Sleeve Detail Dress


Shop & Other Stories

& Other Stories Babydoll Tied Sleeve Detail Dress, $, available at & Other Stories

Norma Kamali x Revolve Diana Gown


Shop Revolve

Norma Kamali x Revolve Diana Gown, $, available at Revolve

Embellished Bandeau Column Midi Dress


Shop Karen Millen

Karen Millen Embellished Bandeau Column Midi Dress, $, available at KAREN MILLEN

Eloquii Tiered Puff Sleeve Dress


Shop Eloquii

Eloquii Tiered Puff Sleeve Dress, $, available at Eloquii

River Island Lime Green Fringe Mini Bodycon Dress


Shop River Island

River Island Lime Green Fringe Mini Bodycon Dress, $, available at River Island

Casual Wedding Guest Dresses


The styling opportunities are endless when it comes to a casual wedding. You can opt for a mini, midi, or maxi dress in a simple one-tone shade with subtle touches, or you can choose a cheerful pattern. The perk with these wedding guest dress designs is that you can actually wear them to plenty of other non-wedding summer events too.

Shop Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch Lace-Up Back Slip Midi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie

UO Theodora Poplin Mini Dress


Shop Urban Outfitters

Urban Outffiters Theodora Poplin Mini Dress, $, available at Urban Outfitters

BTFBM Ruffle Cap Sleeve Belted Maxi Dress


Shop Amazon

BTFBM Ruffle Cap Sleeve Belted Maxi Dress, $, available at Amazon

Saloni Neelam Dress


Shop Shopbop

Saloni Neelam Dress, $, available at Shopbop

Love by Design Athen Plunging V-Neck Maxi Dress


Shop Nordstrom Rack

Love by Design Athen Plunging V-Neck Maxi Dress, $, available at Nordstrom Rack

Madewell Ruffled One-Shoulder Midi Dress


Shop Madewell

Madewell Ruffled One-Shoulder Midi Dress, $, available at Madewell

HBEYYTO V Neck Swiss Dot Sundress


Shop Amazon

HBEYYTO V Neck Swiss Dot Sundress, $, available at Amazon

Beach Wedding Guest Dresses


Embrace your whimsical side for summer beach weddings. Slide into sandals, wedges, or espadrilles and feel airy and cool in a tropical-colored frock. Lightweight maxis or midis with a flowing skirt not only look dramatic in the summer breeze, but they can also protect you from, ahem, wardrobe malfunctions.

Shop Farm Rio

Farm Rio Yellow Sleeveless Maxi Dress, $, available at Farm Rio

Ghost London Grace Dark Green Satin Midi Dress



Shop Ghost London

Ghost London Grace Dark Green Satin Midi Dress, $, available at Ghost

Anthropologie The Lorelei Ruched-Bodice Midi Dress


Shop Anthropologie

Anthropologie The Lorelei Ruched-Bodice Midi Dress, $, available at Anthropologie

Free People On My Level Maxi Dress


Shop Free People

Free People On My Level Maxi Dress, $, available at Free People

Pinup Fashion Off The Shoulder Maxi Dress with Pockets


Shop Amazon

Pinup Fashion Off The Shoulder Maxi Dress with Pockets, $, available at Amazon

SheBird The Emma Satin Dress with Built-in Bra


Shop SheBird

Shebird The Emma Satin Dress with Built-in Bra, $, available at Shebird

Staud Ombré Floral Tie-Strap Gown


Shop Saks Fifth Avenue

Staud Ombré Floral Tie-Strap Gown, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

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