The Best Summer Wedding Guest Dresses For Women
Summer weddings are my absolute favorite.
Being able to wear what you want without having to worry about the weather is a beautiful thing!
Wedding guests have plenty of options when choosing a dress for a summer wedding such as those with floral prints, bright colors, and maybe even an open back design.
However, it can definitely be overwhelming.
While most wedding invitations will tell you the dress code of the event, you still have to find the perfect outfit that matches your personal taste.
So, if you’re on the hunt for the perfect dress, you’re in the right place!
In this post, I’m rounding up some of the best places to find dresses for the upcoming wedding season.
Let’s get into it!
Best Summer Wedding Guest Dresses
As we all know, weddings can be quite different from one couple to the next.
Some people prefer casual weddings while others opt for black tie weddings, and some even opt for beach weddings.
Naturally, these types of weddings will have completely different attire requirements.
While it’s always a great idea to ask the bride and groom what the dress code is, there are some general guidelines you can follow if you don’t feel comfortable asking.
Below you’ll find some great dresses for a summer wedding that will surely leave a lasting impression, no matter what the dress code is.
Semi-Formal Dresses
The most popular attire for a wedding is semi-formal.
This is where you’ll see lots of cocktail dresses, shorter hemlines, one-shoulder necklines, etc.
You can often get away with wearing a bold color to a semi-formal wedding as well.
However, always check with the bride if you are unsure what she would prefer!
One of my favorite places to shop for semi formal weddings is Lulus.
Lulus dresses are hands-down the best wedding guest dresses out there.
Not only do they have a crazy wide range of styles to choose from, but almost every dress comes in various colors as well.
They have so many flattering silhouettes for warm weather and the price points are quite reasonable.
Here are a few dresses that would make perfect wedding guest outfits for formal evening affairs:
Formal Dresses
Long dresses are typically what you’ll see at a formal wedding.
While winter wedding guest dresses are often in darker, solid colors such as navy blue and black, in summer you can opt for a lighter shade.
Formal wedding guest dresses are most commonly seen at a black-tie wedding and are often a long sleeve style.
However, you can offset the full coverage style with something like a leg slit or open-back design.
While it might not be as easy to hit the dance floor, they sure do make a statement!
As with all other dress options, finishing off the look with a great pair of shoes and a small clutch is key!
Here are a few formal gown options for a summer wedding:
Outdoor Dresses
If you’re heading to an outdoor wedding in a backyard, at a park, etc., you’ll want to pay close attention to the length of your dress and the shoes you pair it with.
You may be walking in grass, on rocks, or on an uneven walkway,
The good news is that there are many retailers with amazing dresses, so you can feel confident knowing you’ll be able to find the perfect dress.
An outdoor wedding usually has a less formal dress code which gives you a bit more wiggle room with the style of dress you choose.
A simple floral dress in jewel tones or a keyhole neckline hi-low dress are both great options for the summer season.
Here are some more dress options that will help you make a stylish statement:
Beach Dresses
Although weddings are typically more formal events, a casual beach wedding is often where you can dress a bit more laid-back.
It’s also a great opportunity to steer away from the oh-so-common little black dress you often see at an indoor wedding venue.
A flowy maxi dress in a breathable fabric is the perfect wedding guest dress for a beach setting.
They come in many different colors, patterns, and silhouettes, and strike a perfect balance of polished and relaxed.
Not to mention, they’re often more comfortable than leg-baring mini dresses because you don’t have to worry about it riding up.
Whether it’s a floral pattern you prefer or a solid maci with a sexy side slit, there are plenty of styles to choose from.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Tropical Destination Wedding Dresses
The wedding dress code for destination nuptials is comparable to a beach wedding.
I was actually in a tropical destination wedding about 10 years ago!
Our bridesmaid dresses had a romantic feel to them with a loose silhouette and lightweight fabrics (which I was thankful for considering it was SO HOT).
They struck the ideal balance of formal and fun, which seems to be the vibe most people go for when having a destination wedding.
As a wedding guest, there are a variety of styles acceptable for a destination wedding.
A floor-length gown is acceptable for pretty much any wedding, but not a necessity for a tropical or beach wedding.
However, a maxi dress is common for a destination wedding as is a mini or midi length style.
Here are some tropical destination wedding guest dress ideas:
Casual Dresses
If you want to be the best-dressed guest at a casual wedding the trick is to nail the perfect balance between formal and casual.
Yes, backyard nuptials will no doubt be more casual than a black-tie wedding, but that doesn’t mean that you should just throw on anything and head out the door.
Believe it or not, there is a wide selection of wedding guest dresses for these types of nuptials as they are becoming more and more widespread.
A-line silhouettes are perfect for casual weddings.
You can find them in varying styles, colors, and prints, and they are universally flattering on almost all shapes and sizes.
I mentioned them earlier, but Lulus has an amazing collection of summer wedding guest dresses in this particular silhouette, such as this one.
Here are a few more casual dress options:
Country Dresses
If you’ve yet to attend a country wedding, you’re in for a treat!
Country weddings are more relaxed and often feature hints of vintage style.
Hay bales, barns, wooden lanterns, and the outdoors are all a part of traditional country nuptials.
When dressing for the occasion, sticking with a muted color palette and earth tones is the way to go.
Dresses with cap sleeves, florals, and lace are great options. Here are a few to consider:
Where To Shop For The Best Dresses
While I’ve mentioned one of my favorite retailers a few times throughout this post, there are many more that have great options as well.
Here are some of the best places to shop for summer weddings guest dresses:
Lulus – As previously discussed, Lulus is my favorite. The inventory is almost unmatched and they add new arrivals daily. You can easily find the perfect wedding guest look in a matter of minutes, along with the jewelry, bag, and shoes to match. A head to toe wedding guest look is their thing!
Nordstrom – Nordstrom doesn’t have as large of a selection as Lulus, however, you can rest assured the dresses are made with high-quality materials from name brands you can trust. Adrianna Papell, House of CB, Dress The Population, and more.
Revolve – I’ve always been a huge fan of Revolve. They often have dresses you can’t find anywhere else and they undoubtedly have some of the sexiest styles on the market. All fashionistas know Revolve for it’s sultry and sexy offerings. Whether it’s a slip dress or a mini dress with puff sleeves you fancy, chances are you’ll find it at Revolve!
Asos – While Asos carries some pricey designer brands, they also have a wide selection of affordable finds, too. Shopping on the site can be a bit overwhelming as they carry everything from sneakers to undergarments, accessories, shoes, and more – but its easy to narrow down with their filtering section that allows you to narrow down your search to at least a few hundred results!
Petal & Pup – Petal & Pup is for flirty and feminine girls. If you love pastel colors and dainty details, Petal & Pup is where it’s at. The one thing I highly recommend is to rely heavily on reviews for sizing info. Since Petal & Pup is an Australian company, the sizing is often smaller than here in the United States.
Windsor – Windsor has breathtaking dresses. They are simply stunning. From elegant midi dresses to floral gowns, tulle maxis with corset bodices, and more, they have every style imaginable, and the prices are very fair.
Reformation – Reformation is one of the pricier options on this list, but the quality of their pieces matches those price points. If being the best dressed guest at the wedding is on your list of must-haves, it’s one not to be missed.
Red Dress – I’ve been a customer of Red Dress Boutique for years! They have a huge collection of wedding guest dresses (comparable to Lulus) and they have new arrivals every day. Whether it’s a cocktail wedding, backyard nuptials, or black tie-event, chances are you’ll find the perfect dress here.
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