26 Dresses to Wear to a Summer Wedding (That Won’t Upstage the Bride)
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Sleek and elegant, this halter gown works for pretty much every wedding dress code. Hands down, a black wedding guest dress is a smart buy if half your Instagram feed is engaged right now.
Sizes: XS-XL
Material: 95% polyester, 5% spandex
This is the type of dress you’ll want to wear over and over again. Pair it with classic black pumps or another pair of heels for the special day, and a set of sleek sandals when you want a more casual look.
Sizes: 0-20
Material: 100% polyester
When in doubt, you can never go wrong with a classic, airy slip dress—especially if you happen to be attending a wedding at the height of summer. Let yourself breathe in this dress, which will pair perfectly with summer sandals or heels.
Sizes: 00-16
Material: Shell: 100% Naia acetate; lining: 100% polyester
Not every wedding calls for a sleek, fitted gown. but when one does, you won’t regret wearing this top-rated number.
Customer review: This dress has a stunning fit—the stretchy material ensures that! Tight throughout then mermaids out….The bodice has boning for structure and support. The back is open to slightly below the waist. Fits true to size…We will have to have the bottom hemmed for length and the spaghetti strap tightened and then—perfecto!
Sizes: 6-12
Material: 100% polyester
There’s a CVS receipt-long list of details that make this pretty Rixo dress so special. But, let me name a few: the vintage-inspired print and the sleeve length to the keyhole detail in the front. I’m in love. This is a great option for the more casual weddings you may have on your summer agenda.
Sizes: XXS-2XL
Material: 52% silk/46% viscose/2% metallic; lining: 100% polyester
Y2K-Inspired
HOUSE OF CB Nalini Floral Mesh Corset Cocktail Dress
Y2K-Inspired
HOUSE OF CB Nalini Floral Mesh Corset Cocktail Dress
Not only have I noticed that this under-$250 dress is a bestseller among shoppers, but it’s also a popular favorite among my stylish friends. I may just have to order this one for myself as my go-to summer cocktail dress.
Sizes: XS D/E
Material: 97% polyester, 3% elastane
I should just let this dress speak for itself. With such a vivid shade of pink as the main draw, followed by the timeless print, it’d be hard not to snap a picture when you’re wearing it.
Sizes: 0-12
Material: 100% viscose
Could there be a more fitting wedding guest dress for summer than this romantic beauty? I think not.
Customer review: I was apprehensive about buying this dress because of the comments about the zipper. I took a chance and am so glad I did. The zipper is fine. You have to be careful zipping & unzipping but that is no surprise. The dress is beautifully made and fits perfectly. I love it.
Sizes: 2-24
Material: 100% polyester
Heading to a destination wedding this summer? pack this Staud dress. I’ve personally seen one of these cross the Atlantic for a trip to Italy. It packs well, works for multiple occasions (which means it’ll be great after the wedding, too!), and boasts a timeless design. I know what you’re thinking: Say less.
Sizes: 0-16
Material: 98% cotton, 2% spandex
Christopher John Rogers Pleated Metallic Cotton-Blend Jacquard Gown
Christopher John Rogers Pleated Metallic Cotton-Blend Jacquard Gown
Look, I know this is all about not overshadowing the bride, but I can’t make any promises if you show up to the nuptials wearing this. Yes, there’s a high price tag, but you won’t regret this—I promise.
Sizes: 0-14
Material: 71% cotton, 19% polyester, 10% polyamide; lining: 100% polyester
A black slip dress is the ultimate failsafe choice—especially as an Amazon wedding guest dress. For a casual-leaning option, look to this viral Tik Tok find from Amazon’s in-house brand The Drop. As one verified shopper put it: “[This dress] Makes you feel like the leading star of a romance movie.”
Sizes: XXS-5XL
Material: 95% Polyester, 5% elastane
Breathable silk? Check. Timeless design? Check. Endless possibilities? Check. This sleek halter dress will find many a wear, which, in my opinion, is one of the most important factors when shopping for a wedding guest dress.
Sizes: XS-XL
Material: 100% silk
Nothing beats Markarian when you’re looking for a luxurious option to wear to formal weddings. This option is perfect for when the occasion calls for cocktail attire.
Sizes: 4-10
Material: 55% viscose/30% silk/15% polyester; lining: 100% polyester
Justine Carreon is the market editor at ELLE.com covering fashion, Dutch ovens, and fashion again. When she isn’t approaching style through a modern, accessible lens, she’s scouring eBay for vintage Levi’s and pretending she knows how to surf. Before joining ELLE.com in 2015 she worked as a freelance writer and stylist in New York City.
Commerce Content Lead
Jaimie Potters is the Commerce Content Lead at Hearst. She also writes about fashion, interior design, travel, and more.
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