12 best summer wedding guest dresses to wear this year

Bookmark these unreal dresses for your next summer ceremony

best-summer-wedding-guest-dresses

by Samantha Price |
Updated on

With summer well and truly on its way (even when it doesn't seem like it...), wedding season is upon us, so we need the best summer wedding guest dresses to give our wardrobe a little refresh. We don’t know about you, but finding the perfect wedding guest dress can be overwhelming. Is it the right colour? Is it too short? Is it too revealing? There's a lot to think about.

Some dresses can be expensive, so we've kept our picks to under £100, meaning you can spend more on accessorising your look. Why not go for a statement fascinator or a banging pair of heels to complete your outfit? The choice is yours.

Take the stress of dress shopping away, as it won't be long until the invitations are coming your way. Be extra prepared and start looking for summer wedding guest dresses now. On a budget? There are plenty of high street ASOS wedding guest dresses to shop that are purse-friendly but still incredibly stylish.

We've scrolled the internet and compiled our list of the best summer wedding guest dresses to shop. From florals to frills, pleats to patterns, there's something for everyone to feel unreal on the day. Whether it's a destination wedding or a simple register office ceremony, you'll definitely win the best-dressed guest on the day. Heading to a spring wedding? Make sure to check out our guide on the best spring wedding guest dresses.

SHOP: 12 best summer wedding guest dresses 2024

QUIZ Bright Blue Bardot Ruched Maxi DressNew Look

Keep it classy with the Bright Blue Bardot Ruched Maxi Dress from QUIZ. Smart and sophisticated, it's the perfect transition from day to night. Accessorise with a clutch bag and fascinator to really elevate the look.

Pretty Little Thing Light Blue Double Breasted Flute Sleeve Blazer DressPretty Little Thing

You can't go wrong with a blazer dress. And this Double Breasted Flute Sleeve Blazer Dress from Pretty Little Thing will mean you look like a put-together wedding guest. A fabulous shade for a summer wedding, it's one you can wear for the occasion and beyond. Night on the town, anyone?

JD Williams Satin Wrap DressJD Williams

This Satin Wrap Dress from JD is a classic shape that flatters just about anyone. Its bright fuschia shade is so fitting for warmer months, and the satin fabric will keep you cool in warm weather. But, if you're not a fan of showing your arms, the long sleeves have you covered. Sorted.

Nobody's Child Pastel Floral Nova Smock Midi DressNobody's Child

Nobody's Child always nails the wedding guest look. The Pastel Floral Nova Smock Midi Dress just screams summer. It has whimsical puff sleeves, stunning watercolour print and a dreamy full skirt for dancing the night away.

Topshop Long Sleeve Satin Maxi DressASOS
Price: £64 (was £75)

www.asos.com

Doesn't this Topshop Long Sleeve Satin Maxi Dress from ASOS look so expensive? Despite looking luxe, this dress is surprisingly purse-friendly. It's made from glossy viscose with volume sleeves and an empire waist that'll get everyone talking - in the best way.

Club L London Risk It All Cami Cowl Neck Satin Midi DressClub L London
Price: £45 (was £65)

clubllondon.com

With 18 colour variations to select from, the Risk It All Dress from Club L London is the ultimate summer wedding guest dress. Complete with a strappy back, ruched details and a split hemline. This green floral print fits the summer theme so well.

Phase Eight Beverley Striped Pleated Midi DressJohn Lewis
Price: £84.15 (was £140)

www.johnlewis.com

We are loving this Phase Eight Beverley Striped Pleated Midi Dress in this striking chartreuse colour. The sleeveless design and glossy fabric make it the most unreal frock. A belted waist and pleated skirt bring you in and accentuate your figure in all the right ways.

Pretty Lavish Ashton Ruffle Midi DressPretty Lavish

Pretty, delicate and feminine. The Ashton Ruffle Midi Dress from Pretty Lavish is a dream dress for any wedding guest. Especially if you're a fan of longer sleeves. The romantic ruffle details and ditsy print couldn't be more ideal for attending a wedding on a sunny summer's day.

Dancing Leopard Sookie Slip DressDancing Leopard

Dancing Leopard does it again with the Sookie Slip Dress, featuring the bestselling tropical bamboo print. As one of the most popular prints on the site, we couldn't resist including this slinky slip dress in our edit. If it's a beach wedding or a wedding abroad, this dress is one of the best choices.

Simply Be Purple Long Sleeve Frill Tiered Maxi DressSimply Be
Price: £30.60 (was £51)

www.simplybe.co.uk

Simply Be's offering of an inclusive size range means there are sizes from a UK10 to a UK32. Ruffle dresses have been having a moment for some time now, and this brightly coloured Purple Long Sleeve Frill Tiered Maxi Dress is a trending choice.

River Island Lime Green Embellished Shift Mini DressRiver Island

Lime green is always a spectacular colour choice for the summer. Bringing in the freshness of the season, River Island's Embellished Shift Mini Dress looks like something off a runway. Play up the silver or pearl embellishments with your accessories, and you'll be the best-dressed guest at any wedding.

Pretty Lavish Keisha Printed Chiffon Maxi DressPretty Lavish

Another breathtaking choice for a wedding abroad is the Keisha Printed Chiffon Maxi Dress. With so many eyecatching colours, the bright iris floral print is one to remember. Go all out with a floral choker to really dress up your look.

What should I wear as a wedding guest in the summer?

Obviously, summer wedding guest dresses will differ in style from autumn and winter wedding guest dresses. So, you'll probably want to account for the weather. Although we hope for sun, British weather can be unpredictable - so do a rain check before the event. If you're lucky, you might just get a few days of warm weather, which means you can ditch a jacket altogether.

For summer weddings, you'll notice that hemlines and sleeves become slightly shorter. The material of dresses becomes much more lightweight. And, colours tend to become brighter, with pastels and prints taking centre stage. As well as the weather, you'll want to account for the type of venue. Is it a church wedding? A beach wedding? A registry office? You'll want to dress accordingly.

The best thing is, if you haven't got many weddings to go to this season, you can always rent a dress instead. In fact, ASOS' rental service means you can dress for the occasion with a rented dress. That way, it's a much better option than buying a dress and just wearing it the once!

Samantha Price is a Beauty, Fashion & Wellness Product Writer for Closer. With two years of experience at Bauer, she has worked on several projects, from championing the Closer newsletters to writing expertly crafted buying guides.

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