Forget hot girl summer — this year we’re all about hot wedding guest summer. It’s officially the season of weddings, which means it’s time to invest in some seriously eye-catching summer wedding guest dresses.
From balmy beach bashes to formal evening affairs, each event calls for its own style — and a dress that brings those celebratory vibes. And with so many cute fashion trends this summer (bows! metallics! pleats!), these wedding guest dresses will have you looking the part, no matter how many weddings you have on your calendar.
So, whether your next round of “I do’s” takes you to Tuscany or Austin, we’ve rounded up the summer wedding guest dresses that will dazzle from cocktail hour to the last dance of the night. But first, a few wedding fashion tips!
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What should a guest wear to a summer wedding?
For a summer wedding, it’s best to wear dresses that match the bright, breezy vibes of the season. Instead of dark colors and heavy fabrics, the most stunning summer wedding guest dresses are flowy and light — think brights pops of color, sweet pastels, floaty silhouettes, and breathable materials.
Summer weddings also tend to be more relaxed than their cold-weather counterparts, which means you have more freedom with hemlines, prints, and fabrics. While you still want to make sure you’re following dress codes, don’t be afraid to try out a new trend (hello, bows!) or play with fun patterns. Florals are a fool-proof print for summer wedding dresses, but there’s nothing stopping you from spicing them up with a bold color or an unexpected silhouette.
What do you wear to a wedding when it’s hot?
It’s the ultimate dilemma: you want to look polished and elevated for that upcoming beach ceremony, but you also want to be comfortable under the July sun. For those extra hot summer days, stay cool (while still looking chic) with summer wedding guest dresses made out of lightweight and breathable fabric like chiffon or linen.
Current trends are also here to help you keep your cool in the heat. Cut-outs, for example, add an extra opportunity for breeziness, while also making a fashion-forward statement. The same goes for high leg slits, open backs, and leg-baring mini dresses.
If the dress code is more on the formal or semi-formal side, you can channel the same level of airiness (without showing as much skin) with bohemian flowy skirts and cottagecore billowy sleeves. Materials like silk and tulle will also give you an ultra luxe look, minus the weight of rich fabrics like velvet.
The best ways to accessorize a summer wedding guest dress
Accessories are the best way to take a simple summer wedding guest dress to the next level — and have a little fun while you’re at it. Pair a slip dress with statement tassel earrings and a classic pair of flats for a relaxed backyard celebration. Or, rock the same dress for a black tie soirée with trendy metallic platforms and some glittery jewelry. This is your chance to get creative, experiment with new trends, and show off your personal style.
When it comes to shoes, it’s best to think about the terrain of the event when choosing the perfect pair. Luckily, stylish wedges are back in a big way, just in time for grassy ceremonies and backyard receptions.
For a beach event, a cute and comfy pair of slides are a no-brainer, and some chic strappy heels would shine for an elegant indoor party. Have a barn wedding on the horizon? Consider this your sign to finally buy those western boots you’ve been eyeing!
Where to buy summer wedding guest dresses
With wedding szn kicked into high gear, more and more retailers are creating collections specifically for summer wedding guests. These include fan-favorite sustainable brand Reformation, chic and affordable retailer Lulus, and wedding wardrobe mainstay ASTR The Label. For a range of designer and everyday pieces, we also love Revolve and Anthropologie.
To help you narrow it down, we’ve rounded up the chicest dresses from allllll our favorite shops. Keep scrolling to find the look that will earn you a spot on the best-dressed guest list.
Formal Summer Wedding Guest Dresses
After years of having to postpone tying the knot, many couples are now pulling out all the stops for their celebrations. This means formal dress codes are on the rise — and we are HERE FOR IT.
But, it can be tricky to find formal summer wedding guest dresses that allow you to keep your cool in the heat while also staying appropriate for more classy affairs. Our favorite picks make the most out of opulent (yet still breathable) fabrics, breezy silhouettes, and elegant pops of skin.
2: Metallic Pink Formal Wedding Guest Dress
While metallics may not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of floral gowns, this formal summer wedding guest dress is here to prove just how cool and classy this new trend can be.
With glistening blue and golden flowers and that dreamy pink color, it simply oozes opulence. Plus, the airy midi skirt means you can dazzle the room without breaking a sweat.
8: Classy Long Formal Wedding Guest Dress
Flower patterns may not be ~groundbreaking~ when it comes to summer dresses (we have MANY on this list), but this pink formal wedding guest gown still manages to stand out from the crowd!
From the dreamy color palette to the whimsical flutter sleeves, it’s a soft and feminine design that will have everyone doing a double-take.
Classy Summer Wedding Guest Dresses
In our opinion, summer is made for rocking dresses 24/7. But, the frock you wear to bottomless brunch may not have the same level of refinement that you’re hoping to bring to your friend’s elegant city wedding.
For those moments when you want to show just how well you clean up, classy summer wedding guest dresses are the answer. From chic satin slip dresses to feminine floral gowns, these picks will have you looking like a class act all summer long.
Looking for more ways to elevate a simple wedding guest dress for summer? Don’t miss these cute summer nail ideas — they’re the perfect finishing touch to your look!
15: Balletcore Classy Summer Wedding Guest Dress
Move over cottagecore, there’s a new aesthetic making waves in the fashion world: balletcore. With soft lines, flirty details, and ultra-feminine vibes, this aesthetic was practically made for the summer wedding circuit.
If you want to channel that ballet-inspired look this summer, this is the classy summer wedding guest dress for you. With tiers of pretty pink chiffon ruffles, it’s the definition of comfy chic.
Outdoor Summer Wedding Guest Dresses
A wedding that doubles as an opportunity to get your tan on? Sign us up! While nothing beats the free-spirited, boho vibes of an outdoor wedding, dressing for a day spent in the summer sun can have its challenges.
Outdoor summer wedding guest dresses should be ultra-breathable (but not so airy that they float up with the breeze) and look great with a natural backdrop (for all those sunset photoshoots!). Think colorful florals, cottagecore mini dresses, and relaxed silhouettes.
19: Destination Wedding-Approved Outdoor Dress
Blessed are the wedding guests who get invited to a destination event somewhere truly magical. If you’re one of the lucky few this summer, make the most out of the gorgeous views with this vibrant outdoor summer wedding guest dress.
A sweet ruffled mini skirt will keep you photo-ready, whether you’re clinking wine glasses in Tuscany or swaying by sea views in Greece.
22: Cottagecore Outdoor Summer Wedding Guest Dress
Puffed sleeves have proven that they are here to stay — and we’re not mad about it. With this fitted midi dress, the billowy sleeves and lightweight fabric will keep you feeling as fresh as you look.
And thanks to its versatile and on-trend silhouette, you can easily give this outdoor summer wedding guest dress a second life for Sundays at the farmers market or nights out with your crew.
28: Sunny Outdoor Wedding Guest Dress
Speaking of radiating joy, can we get a round of applause for this charming sunshine yellow dress? There will be no clouds in sight when you rock this look — making it perfect for an outdoor bash.
But no need to reserve this gown just for wedding season! With a totally wearable silhouette, this summery mini dress is also perfect for Saturday picnics, warm-weather coffee dates, and any day you need a pick-me-up.
29: Flirty + Fluttery Outdoor Summer Wedding Guest Dress
When it comes to outdoor weddings, you can’t control the elements (aka, wind, sun, and overall hot weather) — so why not choose a wedding guest gown that works with them instead of against them?!
That’s the beauty of this fluttery floor-length gown. With layers of lightweight chiffon ruffles, it’ll give you the prettiest movement every time the breeze blows — while also keeping you cool under the summer sun.
Casual Summer Wedding Guest Dresses
While formal dress codes may be on the rise, summer weddings still tend to lean more on the casual side compared to fall and winter nuptials.
With more hours of daylight, playful outdoor events, and the carefree vibes that come with warm weather, casual summer wedding guest dresses will go a long way this season. Don’t be afraid to gravitate toward fabrics like cotton and linen and invest in silhouettes you plan to wear well past the last dance.
GWS Tip! Even if your wedding invite calls for a casual dress code, it’s always best to add a touch of elegance to your wedding guest look. It’s called a big day for a reason, and most couples would rather you dress slightly up versus down. If you’re going casual, still make it chic and (importantly) photogenic.
32: Breezy Cotton Summer Wedding Guest Dress
If you’re looking for a breathable fabric, you can’t get much breezier than a lightweight cotton. Throw on this casual summer wedding guest dress — which is made with 100% cotton and features cute side cut-outs — and you’ve got a classic, airy look in mere seconds.
33: Cute + Casual Botanical Nap Dress
It’s the silhouette we’re going to be wearing all summer long: a smocked bodice, a square neckline, and a flirty tiered skirt. In other words, the nap dress still has a hold on us — and that applies during wedding season as well.
This casual summer wedding guest dress nails the milkmaid dress look, and gives it a wedding-ready twist with a cute botanical print. We can’t wait to wear this for outdoor cocktail hours and casual summer afternoons alike.
38: Chic Casual Summer Wrap Gown
Classic and elegant, this casual summer wrap dress will never go out of style. With fluttery sleeves and a bubbly shade of muave, it will effortlessly take you from day to night.
Plus, that flowy skirt was made for twirling around the dance floor to your favorite Taylor Swift song (let’s hope the DJ is taking requests!).
Summer Evening Wedding Guest Dresses
Similar to formal attire, summer evening wedding guest dresses tend to be on the classier end of the fashion spectrum. Instead of the short, playful gowns you would rock at a morning or daytime wedding, these dresses are typically longer and more sophisticated — similar to your classic cocktail dress.
But don’t let this stop you from showing off your personal style! Summer evening gowns can still be as bright, bold, or trendy as you want them to be. For these picks, we decided on all of the above.
44: Airy Yellow Evening Dress
It’s about the little things, and for this evening dress, those are all the gorgeous details that make it shine. From the whimsical botanical bodice to the airy tiered design of the skirt, the details of this gown make a big statement. We wouldn’t blame you if you never wanted to take it off.
Long Summer Wedding Guest Dresses
Mini dresses may be trendy, but long dresses are forever. With long summer wedding guest dresses, you can look instantly elegant without any effort required. Plus, you don’t have to worry about an afternoon breeze giving you an unwanted Marilyn Monroe moment.
Just remember: think about the venue when choosing the perfect long gown — after all, you don’t want your hemline dragging along grass or dirt as you make your way around the festivities. Our favorites stop just before the ground (and feature flowier silhouettes to help you beat the heat).
47: Boho Long Summer Wedding Guest Dress
Summer is the season when boho dresses finally get their moment in the spotlight. This bohemian dream, in particular, is the crème de la crème of long summer wedding guest dresses.
With an open back, an airy skirt, and crochet lace inserts, this dress is so comfortable you’ll feel like you aren’t wearing anything at all.
And did we mention it comes in 17 different colors?
48: Vacation-Ready Long Summer Wedding Guest Dress
Why not extend your destination wedding weekend for a few extra days soaking up the sun? This long dress will take you from party central to lounging by the beach in the seconds it takes you to type up your “out of the office” memo. With that tropical print, we can almost feel the sand in our toes already.
53: Long Tiered Botanical Embroidered Dress
For those casual weddings where you still want the coverage of a long dress, this cotton frock is your new best friend. We can’t get enough of the subtle floral embroidery, the flattering v-neck bodice, and the flowy tiered skirt — but the shining moment has to be the summery green hue!
Completing The Best-Dressed Guest Look
Like we mentioned earlier, accessories are a summer wedding guest’s secret fashion weapon. With some strategic styling, you can earn the moniker “best-dressed guest” for every wedding you attend this season. But first, you’ll need the right accessories in your arsenal!
Some show-stopping tassel earrings or an eye-catching statement necklace can breathe new life into a simple dress you’ve already worn to a few times. Similarly, different shoes can completely transform a summer wedding guest dress from casual to cocktail to black tie (here are a few of our faves for doing just that).
Another fool-proof tactic? Just switch up your beauty look by rocking a cute half-up half-down hairdo or making your nails the star of the show.
What is your best-dressed guest strategy for the summer wedding season? Fill us in on all the details in the comments below!