25 best summer wedding guest dresses and outfits UK 2023, including River Island and John Lewis | The Sun

SUMMER is just around the corner, and for many it means a diary filled with weddings, and a desperate search for summer wedding dresses for guests.

For wedding guests who are looking for the best summer wedding dresses to wear to a spring, summer or destination wedding there are plenty of retailers on the high street, designer, and even rental sites to shop.

We love a wedding, but finding the perfect summer wedding dresses for a wedding guest dress can feel quite overwhelming, although we would rather too much choice than too little.

Some may have a number of weddings and occasions pending this summer you need an outfit for, and want a new outfit for every event.

While, others may be looking for one dress they can recycle time and time again, which you can inject a new lease of life into with the help of accessories.

Summer wedding dresses for guests are arguably easier to shop as you can be creative and bold with your prints, and lengths, as well as fabrics.

When it comes to shopping for wedding guest dresses midi length dresses are very on trend, although maxi and mini are also a great choice.

Satin designs are a popular choice, but some may be conscious of overheating on a balmy summer afternoon – and we get it.

Cami dresses are also a go-to summer wedding dress as they are lightweight, flattering, and some styles can also be billowy, so you feel comfortable in your one piece for hours on end.

Those looking for something a little less fitted may prefer bardot designs, or an on trend puff sleeve number, while frill details are also making a comeback, whether that is a ruffle across the body of the dress, a sleeve, or slight sleeve detail, or along the neckline.

Of course, summer is prime time to opt for colour and prints, so now is the time to step away from a muted colour palette, and towards more vibrant summer shades – although pastels are still stunning – and the options are endless.

It is an unspoken rule not to wear white to a wedding, which is all the more achievable when shopping for a summer wedding dresses as colours are always in and you can dare to go bold if you wish.

High street retailers including M&S, River Island and Mango are ideal for those looking for a stylish but affordable summer wedding guest dress, as well as online superstore ASOS, alongside Never Fully Dressed, Nasty Gal and more.

While those who are looking to blow the budget Daily Sleeper, Rixo, Rotate, are having a moment, and are a worthy investment piece you will get a lot of wear out of.

We have sifted high and low to bring the best summer wedding dresses for you to shop for those upcoming summer weddings, which you can even recycle for garden parties, the races, a christening, or summer vacation.

Shop our top wedding guest dress picks for a summer wedding

1.Satin Bandeau Midi Dress

A summer wedding is all about colour, vibrancy and lightweight designs, and this River Island design ticks all of those boxes.

Pair with neutral accessories, or colour clash with vibrant green shades for your footwear and clutch bag if you dare, to be bang on trend this summer.

This design comes in black too, so you can go for a pop of colour or a more subtle hue.

While we love how simple yet flattering this satin bandeau midi dress is, and the fact it is a new twist on our beloved satin slip dress styles, you can elevate it even more by layering over a mesh top or style a tullecape over the top, which we have spied in Zara for winter weddings.

• Pink Satin Bandeau Midi Dress, £37 from River Island – buy here

2. Tiered Floral Print Dress

Mango has just dropped its new summer collection, including a number of gorgeous dresses that are perfect for weddings.

Mango's impressive dress selection includes printed designs, vibrant colourways, as well as understated pastel hues, and an array of styles to suit every shopper's preferences.

We're obsessed with this tiered floral number, which you can pair with neutral accessories, or vibrant reds and lilac heels to bring out the colours in the floral design.

This design has sold out on Mango, but we have spied it on Freemans for less, so you will want to shop quick so not to miss out.

• Mango Tiered Floral Print Dress, £42(Was £79.99) from Freemans – buy here

3. Linen Rich Floral Square Neck Midi Dress

When it comes to shopping for a wedding guest dress a floral number is a failsafe option, and is perfect for the warmer months.

This chic floral Maxi Dress is a chic choice for weddings, as the blue and white print springs summer season.

The uber feminine style boasts a frill hem detail, puff sleeve detail, and a flattering square neckline.

Plus, the linen fabric makes this a great buy for the warmer months, especially destination weddings as it is lightweight and breathable.

Pair with flat or heeled sandals in a muted colour, tan, or the electric blue for a pop of colour. .

• Linen Rich Floral Square Neck Midi Dress, £49.50 from M&S – buy here

4. Extreme bardot sleeve jacquard mini dress

ASOS has a designated wedding shop section curated to include some special picks to help you on your shopping spree.

For those who want something chic, and lightweight, but also flattering, and ideal for all temperatures, this mini dress is ideal.

The contrast between the metallic and soft blush floral pattern makes this a super elegant design, and we can't get enough of those giant bardot sleeves.

Team with gold or copper accessories to bring out the vibrant print, or white, even nude, sandals. We are eyeballing those gold platforms which give major Valentino vibes.

• ASOS LUXE extreme bardot sleeve jacquard mini dress in floral jacquard, £90 from ASOS – buy here

5. Layered Tier Exaggerated Frill Dress

& Other Stories are made with eco-conscious fabrics, and deliver on stunning designs.

Not only can you find yourself a flattering wedding guest dress for a summer wedding, but it's also worth checking out their on trend accessories and shoes.

This patterned midi dress will look great however you style it, whether you wear for a wedding, christening, even a garden party, you'll certainly get your cost per wear out of this summer dress.

From the bow tie detail on the straps, the sculpted bodice to the tiered panelling, we are head over heels for this number.

• Layered Tier Exaggerated Frill Dress, £175 from & Other Stories – buy here

6. Polka Dot Dress

Daily Sleeper has been loved by Millie Mackintosh, Leona Lewis and many more celebrities, so it is no surprise it has got our seal of approval too.

If you are heading to a summer wedding, a small ceremony or destination wedding, this lightweight, timeless, linen dress with a flattering puff sleeve, and V-plunge neckline will see the compliments come flooding in.

Look closely and may see the button front fastening, which you can choose to do up fully, or unbutton a little. This attention to detail is why the brand has garnered rave reviews, and what makes it suitable for summer weddings as you can make it as formal as you like, or as relaxed, depending on the theme for the wedding.

• Bella Polka Dot Dress, £320 from Daily Sleeper – buy here

7. Lilac Midi Dress

Nobody's Child is not only stocked on its main website, but also in M&S, so shoppers can snap up the stylish designs from the eco-conscious label.

Nobody's Child has a selection of midi designs, wrap dresses, puff sleeve designs, as well as slip dresses, in various colourways and prints.

This soft pastel lilac dress is a midaxi in our opinion, it's lightweight, yet flattering design for a warm day.

What we particularly love is not just the breathable fabric, or the colour, or the front thigh split – all of which we adore – but the ruffle detail on the chest, as it adds a little extra detail to stand out against a sleeveless dress, linen design, or just a classic cami.

• Lilac Coco Midi Dress, £95 from Nobody's Child – buy here

8. Pink Leopard Floral Dress

Never Fully Dressed has attracted a lot of attention from shoppers for the ability to style one dress multiple ways.

It is giving us major 70s vibes with the floral print, but we love the contemporary style of the dropped hem into a floaty skirt to contrast the more fitted top half of the dress to show off your slender frame.

What we love is you can wear the dresses on their own, dressed up or worn casually, or layered under a jumper, so you can get multiple wears out of your purchase.

This pink leopard print is sure to turn heads this summer, and many summers more.

• Never Fully Dressed Pink Leopard Floral Dress, £33.50 (Was £89) from ASOS – buy here

9.One-shoulder jersey mini dress,

Norma Kamali has created a fashion brand, which prides itself on flattering designs to suit all body shapes.

Fans of Sex and The City may have even spotted Sarah Jessica Parker's character Carrie Bradshaw wear the one shoulder ruched dress on the latest instalment.So if it's good enough for Carrie, it's good enough for us.

This coral hue screams summer, or holiday destination wedding, and though it is a little on the expensive side, it is worth every penny. However, it does come in other colours too, so the perfect style to see you through all seasons and events.

Though a simple design, with the asymmetric cut, the ruching makes it super flattering on any wearer.It may be tight, but this texture can conceal a multitude of sins.

• Diana one-shoulder jersey mini dress, £200 from Matches Fashion – buy here

10. Crepe midi dress

Reformation is another favourite fashion retailer, especially with celebrities, including Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez and Adele – to name a few.

For those who want to spend a pretty penny on a summer appropriate wedding dress, look no further than this gorgeous red dress.

Red may feel like a bold choice in general, but we love it, especially in the summer.

Believe it or not this pillar-box red hue goes with every skin tone, yes it does, you just have to have the confidence to wear it.

The style may be simple, but that's what makes it a timeless classic.

• Kourtney scoop-neck crepe midi dress, £278 from Reformation – buy here

11. Satin Occasion Midi Dress

Boohoo has left no stone unturned when it comes to the vast selection of summer dresses, and wedding appropriate attire.

Shoppers can find wedding guest dresses, plus sized designs, petite and tall options, so it's safe to say Boohoo has it all – and at very purse friendly prices.

This design is giving us major summer vibes with the blue and white contrasting colours transporting us to the vies of Santorini with blue topped houses and white walls.

The one shoulder, waterfall sleeve/ cape design, combined with the split front opening, and gathered side, all make for a super flattering design perfect for all shapes and sizes.

• Tall Porcelain Satin Occasion Midi Dress, £11 (Was £38) from Boohoo – buy here

12. Satin Cut-Out Maxi Dress

From satin slip dresses, to midi length creations, Nastygal has it all.

This plunging, cut out, maxi dress is great if you're looking for something a little different, with a pop of colour, perfect for the day ceremony or the evening reception.

This creation is super flattering showing off your chest, waist and back detail, for an uber sultry look, but perfect for summer with the cut out details and pops of colour.

While you can accessorise with black heels, and a clutch, you can also pull out the colours in the dress, and go all out with gold, red, blue or green stilettos and handbag.

• Floral Print Satin Cut-Out Maxi Dress, £51.75 (Was £69) from Nastygal – buy here

13. (AD) Phase Eight Hayley Pleated Floral Maxi Dress

This printed maxi dress is a great choice for a wedding this summer, and for many more events over the warmer months.

It's perfect if you're looking for something, which is versatile, lightweight, as you can dress this creation up or down.

From the puff sleeve, to the pleated detail, dipped hem, to the tie belt fastening at the front, there are plenty of talking points we love, which are super flattering and feminine for the wearer.

We'd pair with gold, silver, white or neutral heels for the wedding, or pull out the colours in the ditsy floral print – the styling options are endless.

• (AD) Phase Eight Hayley Pleated Floral Maxi Dress, £160.65 from John Lewis – buy here

14. Halter neck dress

The Halter Neck Dress from Mango is giving us major Kate Middleton vibes and we are here for it.

It's perfect for summer, spring and even winter wedding guest dresses, thanks to the versatile navy blue shade and timeless polka dot print.

The halterneck detail is uber flattering, and we are obsessed.

What we also love is the slightly looser fitting chest area, contrasted by the cinched in waistline for a truly feminine silhouette.

Plus the sheer skirting, so you don't feel too restricted, or exposed, it's just the perfect medium.

We recommend styling with your hair up, so this stunning neckline is in full view.

• Halter neck taupe dress, £79.99 from Mango – buy here

15. Linen Full Skirted Midi Dress

We love a classic, timeless, dress, and Karen Millen has nailed it with this linen number.

It features thick straps, a square neckline, a long floaty skirt, and belt detail, which is perfect to keep you cool without sacrificing on style.

This number is giving us major 50s retro vibes, and we love it.

You can pair it with trainers after you've attended the wedding, which means you can get even more wear out of this chic design.

What's more is it is now on sale, so you can save almost £75, which makes room for a new pair of shoes – and maybe a new clutch bag too.

• Linen Seamed Detail Full Skirted Midi Dress, £199.20 (Was £249) from Karen Millen – buy here

16. Asymmetrical pleated dress

Mango has nailed summer dresses this season, and this Asymmetrical Pleated Dress is one on our radar.

This number is super flattering, feminine and fun.

It boasts one shoulder puff sleeve detailing, which is not only flattering, but also breathable and perfect for the summer season.

The mini length is perfect to keep you cool in the warmer months, while the frill hem is super feminine.

For the summer we are here for the floral prints, and bold colourways.

The more we look at this design the more we fall in love with it, as we think it looks super luxe and designer but for under £100.

• Asymmetrical pleated dress, £59.99 from Mango – buy here

17. Print Maxi Dress

Kitri is a brand to have on your radar, though we have no doubts it is already.

It's a great shopping destination for bold, colourful, vibrant prints, across all garments, which is why we love it for the summer season, including summer wedding guest dress shopping.

This number boasts two summery clashing prints, which makes for a playful and energetic design, so rest assured you will not be coordinating with the bridal party.

What we love is it is a flattering shape, thanks to the V-plunge, short sleeves, and maxi length, which shows off the curves of the body, without being super skin tight.

• Effie Mixed Print Maxi Dress, £170 from Kitri – buy here

18. Asymmetrical cape dress

Capes are having a moment, as are asymmetric designs, and Mango has encapsulated both trends in this one design.

Go bold at your next summer wedding, with this lime design, which may be mini length, but offers the elegance with the one shoulder and sleek cape addition.

The colour may be daunting for some, but rest assured it does come in other colourways too.

However, with a glowing tan at a destination wedding, paired with nude, tan, even gold accessories, this will truly pop.

This design looks chic enough to wear for the ceremony, and take you through to the evening reception, or just the aftermath.

• Asymmetrical cape dress, £55.99 from Mango – buy here

19. Metallic Iridescent Halter Column Midi Dress

Kaen Millen has a whole host of stylish garments to shop, but the dress selection is particularly impressive.

One of our personal favourites is the Metallic Iridescent Halter Column Midi Dress, which will bring a pop of colour to the event, whether you are heading to the main ceremony or reception afterwards.

This design is super flattering, as it has a slight halterneck, teardrop opening on the chest, and falls just above the ankles.

• Metallic Iridescent Halter Column Midi Dress, £95.20 (Was £119) from Karen Millen – buy here

20. Saphira Dress

Alexandra Miro has a stunning array of dresses to shop for the summer months, whether you have a special occasion coming up or vacation – maybe even both.

The Saphira Dress lives rent free in our minds, and we want every excuse to wear it.

Yes, it may be a little higher price point, but it is well worth investing in, as you will wear in and out every summer.

This is super flattering, as it has cut out detail on the side, a deep V-plunge, as well as a thigh high split.

• Saphira Dress, £410 from Alexandra Miro – buy here

21.One Shoulder Sally Dress

Whistles is another firm favourite shopping destination, especially when it comes to occasionwear.

When it comes to warmer weather one shoulder garments come to the fore as they are stylish, but also lightweight and cooling especially on a balmy outdoor summer ceremony.

It boasts a puff sleeve, slight fitted detail under the bust for a comfortable and secure fit.

The fabric is a bright tangerine orange with a subtle print detail, which we are absolutely obsessed with.

Keep the bold theme going with contrasting coloured accessories, such as purple, or a deep green, though gold accessories, neutral or tan will also be a huge hit.

• One Shoulder Sally Dress, £223.20 (Was £279) from Whistles – buy here

22. Nixie Dress

OutDazl has cropped up on our radar a number of times, and particularly because itis loved by numerous celebrities, including Sam Faiers.

There are plenty of outfits to shop and at affordable price tags too, whether you are shopping for dresses, or two pieces, there is plenty to fill your wardrobes with.

But the Nixie Dress caught our attention as it is bright and unlike any outfit other wedding guests will adorn.

From the subtle short sleeve detail, the collar, button front fastening to the exotic print, this design is pretty unique.

• Nixie Dress, £273 from OutDazl – buy here

23. Monica Print Tie Side Dress

Those looking for a colourful design, but not too bold and in your face, Mint Velvet's Monica Tie Side Dress is the answer.

This creation is lightweight and floaty, perfect for the warmer weather, without clinging to your body. Your arms are free to breathe, and the midi length skirt also provides coverage, without being restrictive.

• Monica Print Tie Side Dress, £189 from Mint Velvet – buy here

24. Isadora Drape Wrap Maxi Dress

The Isadora Drape Wrap Maxi Dress is a showstopper of a dress if ever we saw one.

This design is super flattering for all body shapes, as it is lightweight, has long puff sleeves, a V-neckline, belt detail around the waist and a thigh high split.

The bold flaming colours truly sets this apart from other creations, and one you can pair with flats, heels, wedges, and any colour accessory thanks to the array of hues in this printed design.

• Isadora Drape Wrap Maxi Dress, £120 from French Connection – buy here

25. Forever New bubble sleeve organza mini dress in apricot floral

Forever New is another hugely popular fashion brand many head to for a special occasion.

While we know there is an unspoken rule about wearing white to a wedding, this, we think, is the exception to the rule.

The organza layer features a peach print, which adds a soft pastel tone to the dress.

We love the puff sleeve and loose fit of this mini dress perfect for summer weddings.

• Forever New bubble sleeve organza mini dress in apricot floral, £110 from ASOS – buy here

What to wear to a summer wedding?

Summer wedding guest dress shopping should be fun as there are a whole host of styles, prints and colours to play with so you can get creative.

Some may prefer to wear a satin slip dress in a vibrant blue, coral, or maybe a softer pastel, even a print, either way they are a staple look, which are perfect to take you from day to night.

Those staying for the entire day may feel more comfortable in a looser fitting dress, such as a bohemian style, puff sleeve, and floaty design, which is not clinging.

While those solely attending the evening reception may prefer a mini design so you are not restricted when it comes to hitting the dancefloor.

We recommend a sleeveless design, or if you are conscious of your arms a bardot style, or blouson sleeve, so it is airy and lightweight, and you avoid overheating.

Where to buy summer wedding guest dresses?

There are plenty of retailers to shop summer wedding guest dresses this season, whether you are on a limited budget, or happy to blow the budget.

Some of our personal favourite high street stores to head to include M&S, River Island, H&M, & Other Stories, Mango and Zara, as well as department stores, such as Selfridges and John Lewis, so you can shop high street and high end.

However, if you are pushed for time, an online shop will leave you spoilt for choice.

Online shoppers have the pick of the bunch as you can shop hundreds of dresses online at ASOS, as well as Pretty Lavish, Nobody's Child, Nasty Gal and all of the above stores too.

• ASOS – shop here
• H&M – shop here
• Mango – shop here
• New Look – shop here
• Selfridges- shop here
• & Other Stories – shop here
• River Island – shop here
• Nasty Gal – shop here
• M&S – shop here
• Nobody's Child – shop here

Can you wear black to a summer wedding?

Absolutely yes! Typically it's preferred you wear something with a little more colour to a wedding, but unless the bride and groom have specifically requested for guests not to wear black it's ok to do so.

In fact, for a black tie themed wedding you may be expected to wear black.

However, weddings are a fun and cheerful occasion, so why not let your wardrobe reflect that?

How much to spend on a summer wedding guest dress?

Knowing how much to spend on a summer wedding guest dress is entirely up to you and your budget.

Considering you have to factor in a gift for the newlyweds, as well as transport to get there, even possibly a stay overnight, or accommodation for destination weddings, costs can add up, so we don't blame you if you want to keep your wedding guest dress budget to a minimum.

We have seen stunning wedding guest dresses for under £50, even under £30 at some retailers, and with sales on, so keep your eyes peeled for a bargain.

Personally we wouldn't spend over £100, but it depends on your budget, how close you are to the bride and groom, and also the cost per wear of your outfit – if you think you will re-wear it time and time again, then you may be more inclined to fork out more.

How much do wedding guest outfits cost?

Wedding guest outfits can cost anywhere from £28 up to hundreds of pounds, so it is entirely up to you how much you want to spend.

You can find stunning dresses from high street retailers with bargain price tags, or blow the budget for a special occasion, even hire an outfit to save costs even more. There are plenty of options out there.

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