Fashion

24 Summer Wedding Guest Dresses For Black Tie Affairs & Casual Parties

24 Summer Wedding Guest Dresses For Black Tie Affairs & Casual Parties

It’s no secret that Refinery29 readers and editors love any excuse to stock up on summer dresses, whether it’s for a happy hour, picnic, or fancier event. And when it comes to summer, one fancy event reigns supreme: The wedding. If your calendar is filled with save the dates, you might be thinking about what you’re going to wear.

There’s a lot to consider when looking for a wedding guest dress, like comfort, weather, and, of course, dress code. So don’t leave it to the last minute to peruse for summer wedding guest dresses.

We’ve compiled a roundup of dresses for black tie events, cocktail parties, casual summer nuptials, and destination beach weddings in a range of straight size and plus size wedding guest dresses. Discover a bountiful array of airy silhouettes in summer’s trending colors, like terracotta, cherry red, cool blue, and vibrant lime green.

Ahead, scroll through to find the 24 best summer wedding guest dresses on the market. Then all that’s left for you to do is pick out your mani color, throw on a pair of comfortable dancing shoes, and toast to the happy couple.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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Black Tie Wedding Guest Dresses

Dress to impress for black-tie weddings. The formal affair calls for cascading gowns in satin, tulle, and silk fabrics. Feel free to dive into your red carpet dreams of rich gem tones, or opt for a lighter pastel-hued shades. No matter your vibe, there’s a range of summer wedding guest dresses perfect for your upcoming formal affairs.

Shop Lulus

Lulus Spellbinding Beauty Navy Glitter Sleeveless Tulle Maxi, $, available at Lulus

BCBG Max Azaria Kiana One Shoulder Gown

Shop BCBG MAX AZARIA

BCBG MAX AZARIA Kiana One Shoulder Gown, $, available at BCBG MAX AZRIA

ASOS EDITION Satin Off-the-Shoulder Drape Wrap Maxi Dress

Shop ASOS

ASOS EDITION Satin Off-the-Shoulder Drape Wrap Maxi Dress, $, available at ASOS

Birdy Grey Mia Convertible Satin Dress

Shop Birdy Grey

Birdy Grey Mia Convertible Dress Curve, $, available at Birdy Grey

L’Idée Renaissance Sleeveless Pleated Gown

Shop Saks Fifth Avenue

L’IDEE Renaissance Sleeveless Pleated Gown, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Reformation Frankie Silk Dress Es

Shop Reformation

Reformation Frankie Silk Dress Es, $, available at Reformation

Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses

Get ready to dance all night long with a cool drink in hand in a sleek cocktail dress. Pick a midi-length style with eye-catching details like a one-shoulder neckline, puffy sleeves, or a frilly skirt for a bit more summer pizzazz. Cocktail dresses are tried and true and will have you looking perfectly on theme no matter what.

Shop Nordstrom

ELLIATT Cassini One-Shoulder Dress, $, available at Nordstrom

Shop & Other Stories

& Other Stories Babydoll Tied Sleeve Detail Dress, $, available at & Other Stories

Norma Kamali x Revolve Diana Gown

Shop Revolve

Norma Kamali x Revolve Diana Gown, $, available at Revolve

Embellished Bandeau Column Midi Dress

Shop Karen Millen

Karen Millen Embellished Bandeau Column Midi Dress, $, available at KAREN MILLEN

Eloquii Tiered Puff Sleeve Dress

Shop Eloquii

Eloquii Tiered Puff Sleeve Dress, $, available at Eloquii

River Island Lime Green Fringe Mini Bodycon Dress

Shop River Island

River Island Lime Green Fringe Mini Bodycon Dress, $, available at River Island

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 non-wedding summer events too.

Shop Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch Lace-Up Back Slip Midi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie

BTFBM Ruffle Cap Sleeve Belted Maxi Dress

Shop Amazon

BTFBM Ruffle Cap Sleeve Belted Maxi Dress, $, available at Amazon

Saloni Neelam Dress

Shop Shopbop

Saloni Neelam Dress, $, available at Shopbop

Love by Design Athen Plunging V-Neck Maxi Dress

Shop Nordstrom Rack

Love by Design Athen Plunging V-Neck Maxi Dress, $, available at Nordstrom Rack

Madewell Ruffled One-Shoulder Midi Dress

Shop Madewell

Madewell Ruffled One-Shoulder Midi Dress, $, available at Madewell

HBEYYTO V Neck Swiss Dot Sundress

Shop Amazon

HBEYYTO V Neck Swiss Dot Sundress, $, available at Amazon

Beach Wedding Guest Dresses

Embrace your whimsical side for summer beach weddings. Slide into sandals, wedges, or espadrilles and feel airy and cool in a tropical-colored frock. 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 Farm Rio

Farm Rio Yellow Sleeveless Maxi Dress, $, available at Farm Rio

Anthropologie The Lorelei Ruched-Bodice Midi Dress

Shop Anthropologie

Anthropologie The Lorelei Ruched-Bodice Midi Dress, $, available at Anthropologie

Free People On My Level Maxi Dress

Shop Free People

Free People On My Level Maxi Dress, $, available at Free People

Pinup Fashion Off The Shoulder Maxi Dress with Pockets

Shop Amazon

Pinup Fashion Off The Shoulder Maxi Dress with Pockets, $, available at Amazon

Shebird The Emma Satin Dress with Built-in Bra

Shop Shebird

Shebird The Emma Satin Dress with Built-in Bra, $, available at Shebird

Staud Ombré Floral Tie-Strap Gown

Shop Saks Fifth Avenue

Staud Ombré Floral Tie-Strap Gown, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

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