Finding a wedding guest dress you feel confident and comfortable in is no small feat. Add the complexities of dressing for summer — hello, wrinkly fabrics and visible sweat marks — and you’ve got yourself a full-blown shopping project. The good news? You don’t have to spend your weekend braving fluorescent-lit dressing rooms to find the perfect summer wedding guest dress. Whether you’re looking for a breezy dress for a beach wedding, a formal gown for a black-tie ceremony, or a slip dress that works across a myriad of dress codes, we’ve got you covered.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up the 28 best summer dresses for every type of wedding — from casual to cocktail — in a wide range of sizes, styles, and price points from Refinery29 reader-favorite retailers like Nordstrom, Anthropologie, and Hill House Home. All that’s left to do? Put on your dancing shoes and raise a glass to the happy couple.
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Beach & Destination Wedding Guest Dresses
Embrace your inner mermaid for destination and beach weddings. This is your moment to lean into the breezy, slightly more casual dress code — think linen maxis, floral prints, and halter necklines you’ll want to wear all season long. For something brighter, slip into a vibrant-hued or tropical-print dress, finishing with sandals, espadrilles, or wedges.
RIXO Caitlin Midi Dress, $, available at Rixo
Free People Annalise Midi Dress
Free People Annalise Midi Dress, $, available at Free People
Abercrombie & Fitch Julia Slip Cutout Maxi Dress
Abercrombie & Fitch Julia Slip Cutout Maxi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch
Farm Rio Tapestry Premium Linen Midi Dress
Farm Rio Delicate Tapestry Euroflax Premium Linen Midi Dress, $, available at Farm Rio
Madewell Textured Maxi Slip Dress
Madewell Textured Maxi Slip Dress, $, available at Madewell
Aritzia Memory Dress
Aritzia Memory Dress, $, available at Aritzia
Zara Foulard Print Long Dress
Zara Foulard Print Long Dress, $, available at Zara
Summer Black-Tie Wedding Guest Dresses
Dress to impress at a summer black-tie wedding. The formal dress code typically calls for floor-length gowns in bold colors (yes, you can skip the black). Classic column and slip silhouettes are always on point — or go for something unexpected, like a patterned maxi or cascading sleeves..
Diarrablu Naim Dress, $, available at Nordstrom
Aqua Sequin Gown
AQUA Sequin Gown, $, available at Bloomingdale’s
Dôen Lilaia Dress
Dôen Lilaia Dress, $, available at Dôen
Lulus Glamorous Dedication Sleeveless Column Maxi Dress
Lulus Glamorous Dedication Sleeveless Column Maxi Dress, $, available at Lulus
Dress The Population Bella One-Shoulder Tie-Waist Side-Slit Plissé Maxi Dress
Dress The Population Bella One-Shoulder Tie-Waist Side-Slit Plissé Maxi Dres, $, available at Anthropologie
GapStudio Satin Slip Dress
Gap GapStudio Satin Slip Dress, $, available at Gap
Show Me Your Mumu Lisa Maxi Dress
Show Me Your Mumu Lisa Maxi Dress, $, available at Show Me Your Mumu
Summer Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
Cocktail weddings strike the balance between formal and fun, and your dress should do the same. Go for a midi-length with eye-catching details like keyhole cutouts, mesh overlays, or sequins. Minis and maxis can work too, as long as the fabric and finish feel refined — think lace appliqués, tailored shapes, or flutter sleeves.
Eloquii Floral Pattern Tank Dress, $, available at Eloquii
Shoshanna Fleur Dress
Shoshanna Fleur Dress, $, available at Shopbop
Mango Floral-Print Dress with Asymmetrical Straps
Mango Floral-Print Dress with Asymmetrical Straps, $, available at Mango
Bardot Isha Sequin Keyhole Cocktail Midi Dress
Bardot Isha Sequin Keyhole Cocktail Midi Dress, $, available at Nordstrom
Old Navy Twist-Front Maxi Dress, $, available at Old Navy
Hill House Home The Dominique Dress
Hill House Home The Dominique Dress, $, available at Hill House Home
Guizio Lina Midi Dress
GUIZIO Lina Midi Dress, $, available at Shopbop
Summer Casual Wedding Guest Dresses
The styling opportunities are endless when it comes to a casual summer wedding. Try a mini, midi, or maxi in a solid shade with playful smocking or puff sleeves, or go the cheerful print route (hello, polka dots). The best part? These styles work well beyond the “I do’s” — perfect for brunches, showers, and every RSVP in between.
Coach Outlet Puff Sleeve Mini Dress, $, available at Coach Outlet
Damson Madder Sita Multiway Midi Dress
Damson Madder Sita Multiway Midi Dress, $, available at Damson Madder
Sézane Camille Dress
Sézane Camille Dress, $, available at Sézane
Banana Republic Ruched Cotton Poplin One-Shoulder Maxi Dress
Banana Republic Ruched Cotton Poplin One-Shoulder Maxi Dress, $, available at Banana Republic
Everlane The Smocked Column Dress
Everlane The Smocked Column Dress, $, available at Everlane
Universal Standard Sunset Linen Flounce Dress
Universal Standard Sunset Linen Flounce Dress, $, available at Universal Standard
J.Crew Palermo Dress in Viscose-Blend Crinkle
J.Crew Palermo Dress in Viscose-Blend Crinkle, $, available at J.Crew
Free-est At Leisure Midi Dress
free-est At Leisure Midi Dress, $, available at Free People
Zara Printed Linen Blend Mini Dress
Zara Printed Linen Blend Mini Dress, $, available at Zara
Eywasouls Malibu Scarlet Dress
Eywasouls Malibu Scarlet Dress, $, available at Shopbop
Abercrombie & Fitch Beaded Flowy Midi Dress
Abercrombie and Fitch Beaded Flowy Midi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie and Fitch
Summer Black-Tie Wedding Guest Dresses
Dress to impress at a summer black-tie wedding. The formal dress code calls for floor-length gowns in bold colors (yes, you can skip the black). Classic column, drop-waist, and slip silhouettes are always on point — or go for something unexpected, like a patterned maxi or cascading chiffon dress.
Sabina Musayev Nicola Dress, $, available at Shopbop
Hutch Aza A-Line Halter Dress
Hutch Aza A-Line Halter Dress, $, available at Nordstrom
Helsa The Sabine Dress in Silk Chiffon
Helsa The Sabine Dress in Silk Chiffon, $, available at FWRD
Summer Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
Cocktail weddings strike the balance between formal and fun, and your dress should do the same. Go for a midi-length with eye-catching details like keyhole cut-outs, mesh overlays, or architectural ruffles. Minis and maxis can work too, as long as the fabric and finish feel refined — think lace appliqués, tailored shapes, or flutter sleeves.
Arrange Satin Embroidered Lace Applique Column Midi Dress, $, available at ASOS
Reformation Katarin Linen Dress
Reformation Katarin Linen Dress, $, available at Reformation
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