According to UK government guidelines [1], wedding season is officially back up and running as of summer 2021. For most of us, that means being strategic with how much we spend on our friend's big day. After cashing out on gifts, travel, and accommodation (especially if it's a destination wedding), there isn't much left over to invest in an incredible summer wedding guest dress. If you're looking for an affordable outfit to wear to a wedding, we've got you sorted.
Choosing the perfect summer wedding guest look can be tough, especially when you have to take note of the location. Whether it's a traditional church wedding, a casual city soirée, destination nuptials by the beach, or a remote countryside ceremony, we have a few suggestions that will make your sartorial decision-making a tiny bit easier.
Your outfit choice should complement the venue (and climate) while remaining true to your own personal style and keeping the attention on the bride. For a traditional ceremony, we'd go for a more classic look, like covered shoulders and a hemline below the knee in muted colours. If you're attending a union by the sea, we'd be a bit more adventurous: maybe a long slinky slip dress, a low-cut back, or brighter colours. For a countryside wedding, we'd choose looser, comfier pieces like a prairie-inspired puff-sleeve dress. A city wedding calls for a chic, casual look which allows shorter hemlines and trendier outfits. What's most important is that you feel comfortable in whatever you choose to wear, and you invest in a look that you can see yourself re-wearing at future events.
Ahead, we've rounded up 25 fabulous summer wedding guest dresses for various occasions and styles.
Zara Poplin Dress with Tie Detail
Zara Printed Midi Dress [3] (£60)
Self-Portrait Pistachio Guipure Lace Midi Dress
Self-Portrait Pistachio Guipure Lace Midi Dress [4] (£360)
Ghost Averi Dress
Ghost Averi Dress [5] (£245)
Monsoon Kristen Satin Puff Sleeve
Monsoon Kristen Satin Puff Sleeve [6] (£110)
Reformation Nikita Dress
Reformation Twilight Dress [7] (£285)
Ted Baker Roxieyy Halterneck Midi Dress
Ted Baker Roxieyy Halterneck Midi Dress [8] (£150)
& Other Stories Relaxed Buttoned Mini Dress
& Other Stories Relaxed Buttoned Mini Dress [9] (£65)
Reformation Embry Dress
Reformation Embry Dress [10] (£248)
Mango Crisscross Strap Dress
Mango Crisscross Strap Dress [11] (£20, originally £30)
Rixo Farah Yellow Summer Ditsy
Rixo Farah Yellow Summer Ditsy [12] (£285)
Kitri Lise Printed Jacquard Mini Dress
Kitri Lise Printed Jacquard Mini Dress [13] (£87, originally £145)
Self-Portrait Black Dot Mesh Midi Dress
Self-Portrait Black Dot Mesh Midi Dress [14] (£350)
Ganni Silk Stretch Satin Mini Dress
Ganni Silk Stretch Satin Mini Dress [15] (£225, originally £375)
H&M Satin Dress
H&M Satin Dress [16] (£35)
Ted Baker Vanilla Jacquard Full Skirted Dress
Ted Baker Vanilla Jacquard Full Skirted Dress [17] (£167, originally £239)
Warehouse Smocked Bodice Cami Midi Dress
Warehouse Smocked Bodice Cami Midi Dress [18] (£47, originally £59)
Ghost Poet Dress
Ghost Poet Dress [19] (£89)
Zara Floral Shirt Dress
Zara Floral Shirt Dress [20] (£50)
H&M Draped One-Shoulder Dress
H&M Draped One-Shoulder Dress [21] (£70)
Warehouse Pique Shirred Cuff Midi Dress
Warehouse Pique Shirred Cuff Midi Dress [22] (£39, originally £50)
Never Fully Dressed Contrast Puff Sleeve Split Midi Dress in Retro Floral
Never Fully Dressed Contrast Puff Sleeve Split Midi Dress in Retro Floral [23] (£79)
Self-Portrait Dot Mesh Mini Dress
Self-Portrait Dot Mesh Mini Dress [24] (£340)
& Other Stories Puff Sleeve Jacquard Mini Dress
& Other Stories Puff Sleeve Jacquard Mini Dress [25] (£95)
Rotate Birger Christensen Kaya Mini Dress
Rotate Birger Christensen Kaya Mini Dress [26] (£150, originally £250)
H&M High Sheen Dress
H&M High Sheen Dress [27] (£60)