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.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
For more can’t-miss shopping stories delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our Most Wanted newsletter.
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
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Wedding Guest Dresses To Shop During Prime Day
21 Breezy Linen Dresses for Every Summer Plan
Don't Miss Out On Anthropologie's Summer Dresses