Wedding Season

I've Spent Hours Searching for the Best Wedding Guest Dresses, So You Don’t Have To

Searching for the perfect wedding guest dress can be time-consuming and frustrating, so I’ve done the hard work for you.

I’ve searched through thousands of dresses and grouped them into five Moods to make finding the perfect wedding guest outfit a little less daunting.

It’s important to stay true to your style when approaching event styling, as it’s easy to get swayed by what’s expected for the occasion rather than what fits your personal taste. This has happened to me many times—I’ve worn something I wasn’t comfortable in, made a last-minute panic buy, and ended up with something I can’t reuse for other events. When planning a wedding outfit, I usually consider the time of year, the location, how well I know the couple and other guests, and then figure out how I want to feel. Do I want to go cool and chic in all black? Make a statement in fun florals or polka dots? Or keep it elegant in chiffon or silk neutrals? This is where the Moods come in.

Yellow Mood

Yellow is the colour of the season and is an excellent option for a wedding. My go-to brands for wedding guest dressing (Staud, Cult Gaia and De La Vali) all have the most beautiful styles in the buttery hue.

Floral Mood

I’ve avoided anything floral for a while now. When I was in my 20s/early 30s, wearing a floral tea dress in an ironic way felt cool, and then suddenly, you don’t feel so ironic. But now I’ve come back around to the idea. I just need to think carefully about print, fabric, and fit to make them work for me and how I want to feel. Brands like Rat & Boa, La Double J, and Sir the Label make floral pieces in modern, minimalist silhouettes.

Earth Tones Mood

A silk or chiffon dress in brown or beige is forever classic. More subtle than black but just as chic, I tend to opt for interesting fabrics when wearing earth tones to elevate with textures. I’ve just ordered this brown satin midi dress from Zara, which will be perfect for a spring wedding.

Black Mood

Some of my favourite wedding guest looks over the years have been all black. When I spot someone at a wedding in a simple black dress, I think it looks so chic. I love the simplicity of it, especially when styled in the right way. A wedding can often make us think we need to go out all out with hair, makeup, and outfit, but the stripped-back looks are often the coolest. A simple black dress, slicked-back hair, a statement earring (these from Deve are stunning), and glowing skin are often all you need to feel amazing.

Polka Dot Mood

I love a polka dot print for a wedding or event. For a fun option, opt for an oversized print in a short style or a smaller print in layered chiffon to keep it classy and elegant. Timeless and classic with a little personality.