Finding a wedding guest dress you feel confident and comfortable in is no small feat. Add the complexities of dressing for summer — hello, wrinkly fabrics and visible sweat marks — and you’ve got yourself a full-blown shopping project. The good news? You don’t have to spend your weekend braving fluorescent-lit dressing rooms to find the perfect summer wedding guest dress. Whether you’re looking for a breezy dress for a beach wedding, a formal gown for a black-tie ceremony, or a slip dress that works across a myriad of dress codes, we’ve got you covered.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up the 28 best summer dresses for every type of wedding — from casual to cocktail — in a wide range of sizes, styles, and price points from Refinery29 reader-favorite retailers like Nordstrom, Anthropologie, and Zara. All that’s left to do? Put on your dancing shoes and raise a glass to the happy couple.
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Summer Beach & Destination Wedding Guest Dresses
Embrace your whimsical side for beach and destination weddings. Slide into sandals, espadrilles, or wedges, and slip on a vibrant-hued or tropical-printed dress. This is your moment to lean into the breezy, slightly more casual dress code — think linen maxis and floral prints you’ll want to wear all season long.
Farm Rio Delicate Tapestry Euroflax Premium Linen Midi Dress, $, available at Farm Rio
Free-est At Leisure Midi Dress
free-est At Leisure Midi Dress, $, available at Free People
Zara Printed Linen Blend Mini Dress
Zara Printed Linen Blend Mini Dress, $, available at Zara
Madewell Textured Maxi Slip Dress
Madewell Textured Maxi Slip Dress, $, available at Madewell
Eywasouls Malibu Scarlet Dress
Eywasouls Malibu Scarlet Dress, $, available at Shopbop
Aritzia Memory Dress
Aritzia Memory Dress, $, available at Aritzia
Abercrombie & Fitch Beaded Flowy Midi Dress
Abercrombie and Fitch Beaded Flowy Midi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie and Fitch
Summer Black-Tie Wedding Guest Dresses
Dress to impress at a summer black-tie wedding. The formal dress code calls for floor-length gowns in bold colors (yes, you can skip the black). Classic column, drop-waist, and slip silhouettes are always on point — or go for something unexpected, like a patterned maxi or cascading chiffon dress.
Sabina Musayev Nicola Dress, $, available at Shopbop
Dress The Population Bella One-Shoulder Tie-Waist Side-Slit Plissé Maxi Dress
Dress The Population Bella One-Shoulder Tie-Waist Side-Slit Plissé Maxi Dres, $, available at Anthropologie
Gap Studio Satin Slip Dress
Gap GapStudio Satin Slip Dress, $, available at Gap
Lulus Glamorous Dedication Sleeveless Column Maxi Dress
Lulus Glamorous Dedication Sleeveless Column Maxi Dress, $, available at Lulus
Hutch Aza A-Line Halter Dress
Hutch Aza A-Line Halter Dress, $, available at Nordstrom
Helsa The Sabine Dress in Silk Chiffon
Helsa The Sabine Dress in Silk Chiffon, $, available at FWRD
Show Me Your Mumu Lisa Maxi Dress
Show Me Your Mumu Lisa Maxi Dress, $, available at Show Me Your Mumu
Summer Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
Cocktail weddings strike the balance between formal and fun, and your dress should do the same. Go for a midi-length with eye-catching details like keyhole cut-outs, mesh overlays, or architectural ruffles. Minis and maxis can work too, as long as the fabric and finish feel refined — think lace appliqués, tailored shapes, or flutter sleeves.
Arrange Satin Embroidered Lace Applique Column Midi Dress, $, available at ASOS
Mango Floral-Print Dress with Asymmetrical Straps
Mango Floral-Print Dress with Asymmetrical Straps, $, available at Mango
Eloquii Floral Pattern Tank Dress
Eloquii Floral Pattern Tank Dress, $, available at Eloquii
Shoshanna Fleur Dress
Shoshanna Fleur Dress, $, available at Shopbop
Bardot Isha Sequin Keyhole Cocktail Midi Dress
Bardot Isha Sequin Keyhole Cocktail Midi Dress, $, available at Nordstrom
Hill House Home The Dominique Dress
Hill House Home The Dominique Dress, $, available at Hill House Home
Guizio Lina Midi Dress
GUIZIO Lina Midi Dress, $, available at Shopbop
Summer Casual Wedding Guest Dresses
The styling opportunities are endless when it comes to a casual wedding. Try a mini, midi, or maxi in a solid shade with playful smocking or puff sleeves, or go the cheerful print route (hello, polka dots). The best part? These styles work well beyond the wedding — perfect for brunches, bridal showers, and every RSVP in between.
Damson Madder Sita Multiway Midi Dress, $, available at Damson Madder
Sézane Camille Dress
Sézane Camille Dress, $, available at Sézane
Banana Republic Ruched Cotton Poplin One-Shoulder Maxi Dress
Banana Republic Ruched Cotton Poplin One-Shoulder Maxi Dress, $, available at Banana Republic
Reformation Katarin Linen Dress
Reformation Katarin Linen Dress, $, available at Reformation
Everlane The Smocked Column Dress
Everlane The Smocked Column Dress, $, available at Everlane
Universal Standard Sunset Linen Flounce Dress
Universal Standard Sunset Linen Flounce Dress, $, available at Universal Standard
J.Crew Palermo Dress in Viscose-Blend Crinkle
J.Crew Palermo Dress in Viscose-Blend Crinkle, $, available at J.Crew
Black-Tie Wedding Guest Dresses
Dress to impress for black-tie weddings. The formal dress code calls for cascading and column gowns in satin, silk, tulle, and lace fabrics. Feel free to dive into your red carpet dreams of rich gem tones, opt for lighter, pastel-hued shades, or invest in a timeless black gown. No matter your vibe, there’s a range of summer wedding guest dresses perfect for your upcoming formal affairs.
Shop Reformation
Reformation Twila Dress, $, available at Reformation
Eloquii Strappy Paillette Column Dress
Summer nights call for shimmering dresses. Go subtle with dainty sparkles or make a statement with large sequins, as seen here.
Shop Eloquii
Eloquii Strappy Paillette Column Dress, $, available at Eloquii
Staud Cadence Dress
An ombre print is another easy way to implement color without going for a statement pattern.
Shop Staud
Staud Ombre Cadence Dress, $, available at Staud
Mango Strapless Dress with Sweetheart Neckline
Simple and chic, this classic black gown will become your go-to party dress for weddings all summer (and all year) long.
Shop Mango
Mango Strapless Dress with Sweetheart Neckline, $, available at Mango
Lulus Glitter Sleeveless Tulle Maxi Dress
According to our shopping data, this dress is a reader-favorite wedding guest style, so take their lead and glimmer in it at your next formal wedding.
Shop Lulus
Lulus Glitter Sleeveless Tulle Maxi Dress, $, available at Lulus
J.Crew Collection Tiered Ruffle Dress
J.Crew has its fair share of special occasion dresses, like this chiffon maxi dress that’s calling for you to dance the night away.
Shop J.Crew
J.Crew Collection Tiered Ruffle Dress in Chiffon, $, available at J.Crew
Skims Deep Plunge Halter Long Dress
Yes, Skims has wedding guest dress options, like this black maxi dress with a plunging halter neckline perfect for summer nights.
Shop Skims
Skims Deep Plunge Halter Long Dress, $, available at Skims
Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
Get ready to dance all night long, cool drink in hand, while wearing a sleek cocktail dress. Pick a traditional midi-length style with eye-catching details, like a one-shoulder neckline, textured overlay, or side cutouts. Or opt for a mini or maxi dress with unexpected bustier-style tops or statement slits.
Shop Ann Taylor
Ann Taylor Halter Sleeveless Midi Flare Dress, $, available at Ann Taylor
Hutch Off-The-Shoulder Bow Mini Dress
We’ve fallen in love with the feminine bow embellishments (a big summer trend) and playful puff sleeves on this Anthropologie new arrival.
Shop Anthropologie
Hutch Off-The-Shoulder Bow Mini Dress, $, available at Anthropologie
Petal & Pup Vienna Strapless Midi Dress
Look soft and classic in this simple but statement-making sage green strapless dress.
Shop Petal & Pup
Petal & Pup Vienna Strapless Midi Dress, $, available at Petal & Pup
PrettyLittleThing Plus Underwire Draped Midi Dress
Yet another reader-approved style, this sleek plus-size ‘fit would make for an excellent wedding cocktail dress.
Shop PrettyLittleThing
PrettyLittleThing Plus Underwire Draped Midi Dress, $, available at PrettyLittleThing
Abercrombie & Fitch Giselle Pleated Cutout Maxi Dress
An Abercrombie & Fitch “Giselle” pleated style is a top-tier choice for a wedding guest dress that you can wear time and time again.
Shop Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch Giselle Pleated Cutout Maxi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch
Norma Kamali x Revolve Diana Gown
This particular cocktail dress has been an R29 reader-favorite style for a while, and we understand why. The ruched fabric, one-shoulder neckline, asymmetric hemline, and sweet periwinkle hue make a winning summer dress formula.
Shop Revolve
Norma Kamali x Revolve Diana Gown, $, available at Revolve
Pari Passu Floral Long Sleeve Poplin Shirtdress
If your upcoming cocktail-attire wedding is being held during the day, consider opting for an elevated shirt dress in a neutral floral print.
Shop Nordstrom
pari passu Floral Long Sleeve Poplin Shirtdress, $, available at Nordstom
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 events, too.
Shop Free People
Free People Primmy Midi Dress, $, available at Free People
L’Agence Jodie Silk Slip Dress
A slip dress can easily be dressed up or down, making it one of the most versatile wedding guest dress styles. But for more casual affairs, you can pick playful prints, like florals and butterflies.
Shop L’Agence
L’Agence Jodie Silk Slip Dress, $, available at L’Agence
Cider Curve Square Neck Twist Slit Midi Dress
This modern milkmaid dress can be dressed up with heels or down with summer sandals.
Shop Cider
Cider Curve Square Neck Twist Slit Midi Dress, $, available at Cider
Madewell x Agua Bendita Daphne Maxi Dress
Attend a casual garden party wedding in a floral maxi dress that can also double as a vacation dress.
Shop Madewell
Madewell x Agua Bendita Daphne Maxi Dress, $, available at Madewell
Quince 100% Washable Silk Slip Dress
We can’t recommend this Quince bestseller enough because of its effortlessly elegant silhouette and (thankfully) washable material.
Shop Quince
Quince 100% Washable Silk Slip Dress, $, available at Quince
Banana Republic Cici Poplin Mini Dress
A backyard wedding calls for a mini dress, and we’re all about this purple pleated style.
Shop Banana Republic
Banana Republic Cici Poplin Mini Dress, $, available at Banana Republic
Zara Linen Blend Printed Shirtdress
Easy breezy linen dresses are perfect for casual weddings, especially when it’s a printed shirt dress that can be styled multiple ways.
Shop Zara
Zara Linen Blend Printed Shirtdress, $, available at Zara
Beach Wedding Guest Dresses
Embrace your whimsical side for summer beach weddings. Slide into sandals, espadrilles, or wedges and feel airy and cool in a vibrant-colored or tropical-patterned frock that is especially fitting for a destination wedding. 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 Rent The Runway
Rent The Runway Emmett Pleated Gown, $, available at Rent The Runway
Asos Edition Embellished Stone Halterneck Mini Dress
Look as if you just emerged from the sea with this net-like beaded mini dress that’s as intricate as it is effortless.
Shop Asos
ASOS EDITION Embellished Stone Halterneck Mini Dress, $, available at ASOS
Show Me Your Mumu Stella Smocked Dress
While airy, voluminous dresses are prime for beach weddings, smocked bodycon dresses are equally summer-y, especially when they’re worn in cheery colors like this on-trend yellow.
Shop Show Me Your Mumu
Show Me Your Mumu Stella Smocked Dress, $, available at Show Me Your Mumu
Farm Rio Fresh Macaws Midi Dress
Whether the ceremony takes place in Cape Code or Hawaii, don’t be afraid to go bold in a patterned dress for a seaside nuptial.
Shop Farm Rio
Farm Rio Fresh Macaws Midi Dress, $, available at Farm Rio
H&M Drawstring-detail Maxi Dress
Pops of white are acceptable when combined with a bright, summery print.
Shop H&M
H&M Drawstring-detail Maxi Dress, $, available at H&M
Sézane Aphrodite Dress
Likewise, a fitted summer knit dress is a great option. Look out for details like plunging necklines and frilly sleeves for a whimsical touch.
Shop Sézane
Sézane Summer Aphrodite Dress, $, available at Sézane
LoveShackFancy Suniva Silk Charmeuse Slip Dress
Swish along the seaside in a drapey silk slip dress that doesn’t cling too tight to the body, like this LoveShackFancy style in the brand’s signature florals.
Shop LoveShackFancy
LoveShackFancy Suniva Silk Charmeuse Slip Dress, $, available at loveshackfancy
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