The most stylish dresses to wear as a wedding guest

If you ask us, weddings are tons of fun. You get to witness loved ones tie the knot — and dress up in a killer outfit at the same time. What could be better?

To find your perfect dress, first, consider the type of event you'll be heading to. Is it black tie or a more casual, laidback affair? Once this is clear, it's time to find your perfect style and silhouette to match.

Below, we've rounded up a mix of the most stylish, elegant dresses for wedding guests. From dramatic, high-fashion cuts to sexier more simple pieces, we've got it all.

Stunning wedding guest dresses to shop

Best midi wedding guest dressBest dress for a bit of dramaBest beachy-meets-classy dressBest for a 'little black dress' moment

Best midi wedding guest dress

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Photo: River Island

River Island Green Print Satin Halter Neck Slip Midi Dress

This sleek satin piece by River Island is one of the brand's newest — and soon-to-be most popular — dresses. With a streamlined design and a fun geometric pattern, this slip dress arrived just in time for wedding season. When shopping this dress, don't forget to check out the back. Its low, open back makes it a total showstopper.

As an added bonus, it's easy to maintain and machine washable. This means you won't toss it aside after just one use; you'll want to wear it again and again.

Best dress for a bit of drama

Photo: Nasty Gal

Nasty Gal Premium Feather Trimmed Blazer Dress

You save £85 (44.97%)£189

For those who love an LBD moment, this dress from Nasty Gal is sure to turn heads. Its double-breasted blazer-fitted bodice and feather trimming along the skirt make for the perfect mix of flirty and high fashion. It screams sexy, smart sophistication — and will suit anyone who loves making bold fashion choices.

Best beachy-meets-classy dress

Photo: ASOS

ASOS Aria Cove Satin Plunge Maxi Dress

According to influencers, brown tones are the colours of the moment. And clearly, we're on board. This stunning, dark brown dress is one of our favourites for wearing to an upcoming wedding — or any formal affair for that matter. Sold via ASOS, this sultry number features dainty adjustable straps, a sexy thigh high-split back and a slim fit to show off your figure.

Best for a 'little black dress' moment

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Photo: Coast

Organza Ruffle Sleeve Crepe Mini Dress

You save £24.75 (25%)£99

Where timeless meets edgy, this mini dress is all about its over-the-top organza detailing. Layers of ruffled organza create an unforgettable, high-fashion look that’s simultaneously pared back with its LBD colour palette, simple skater skirt and deep-V neckline. In other words, we’re big fans of the overall aesthetic. On sale right now at Coast, it’s the perfect wedding-worthy little black dress on the market. 

Best dress for a pop of colour

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Shown in green. Photo: Karen Millen

Karen Millen Drama Frill Bardot Bandage Knit Dress

You save £25 (20%)£125

Are invitations for upcoming weddings starting to roll in? Then look no further than this off-the-shoulder bandage dress from Karen Millen. Frill detailing along the neckline adds that hint of drama and decadence we crave in wedding attire, while the emerald green ensures you’ll stand out in the crowd. This dress is also seriously easy to style — all you need to top off your look is pair of patent stilettos and modest stud earrings.

Best dress for an all-red moment

Photo: ASOS

ASOS Design Satin One-Shoulder Drape Midi Dress in Red

Every girl deserves a night out in a sultry red dress — and this one-shoulder number from ASOS definitely fits the bill. Made from a satin-style fabric in an eye-catching colour, this romantic dress will have you feeling like a total goddess. As for the fit and cut, the fabric drapes beautifully around the mid-section to allow you a bit of breathing room — and the asymmetric hem cuts boldly across the legs for an added bit of drama.

Best dress for outdoor summer weddings

Photo: Quiz

Quiz Pink Floral Midi Dress

Attending a casual outdoor wedding this summer? Go for this Quiz midi dress that comes in a sweet floral pattern. Sure to flatter, this charming number features a V neckline and chiffon finish to ensure a perfect fit. What we love most is this piece's versatility; the summer dress will work for a wedding, a day at the races or you can dress it down with some crisp white trainers.

Best plus-size wedding guest dress with sleeves

Photo: New Look

New Look Curves Black Poplin Puff Sleeve Bardot Mini Dress

You save £20.99 (61.75%)£33.99

If you purchase one special occasion dress this wedding season, let it be this one. Perfect for curvy ladies, this plus-size black mini dress with long off-the-shoulder puff sleeves delivers big on both style and sex appeal. Wondering how to style it? Take the lead of the model, pictured here, who paired it with a strappy black stiletto — or go your own way and add a pop of colour with some bright accessories.

Best long-sleeve wedding guest dress

Photo: Revolve

Revolve Aliyah Dress

Covering up doesn’t mean toning down the glam and this Revolve long-sleeve dress is proof of that. A figure-flattering ruched skirt is met with an on-trend cut-out design and neckline that are all balanced by mesh sleeves. Illusion sleeves give way to a zippered back that’s just as sultry as the front. The Aliyah Dress requires minimal accessories and will seamlessly see you through weddings taking place in the unpredictable British summertime to affairs planned for cooler months.

Best dress for moderate sex appeal

Photo: Nasty Gal

Metallic Angel Sleeve Open Back Maxi Dress

You save £37 (49.33%)£75

Possibly the most effortless dress to make our list is this stunning number by Nasty Gal. Between its neckline, open back and daring slit this maxi dress is sure to have everyone talking. Next to no accessories are needed for you to make a statement while wearing it; your favourite heels and a slicked-back hairstyle will do the trick. We’re obsessed with its sparkly floral print and dreamy colour.

Best dress for showing off your curves

Photo: Quiz

Quiz Petite Bardot Frill Maxi Dress

An ode to the Bardot sleeve — a favourite of the ‘80s — this navy ensemble effortlessly brings together classic style and a bit of va-va-voom. Its figure-hugging silhouette not only shows off your best assets but is a go-to style for formal affairs. Available in navy, this dress plays well with both neutral accessories and bold statement pieces. We think the colour lends itself to a more formal wedding look.

Photo: Nasty Gal (left); Reformation (right)

Where to buy wedding guest dresses

Where to shop really depends on your style and budget. As shown in the list of dresses above, our favourite places to shop for wedding guest dress options include River Island, PrettyLittleThing, Nasty Gal and New Look.

These retailers deliver high fashion at a very reasonable price. As a result, it's less of an investment to purchase special occasion dresses that you may only wear a few times.

Additionally, Karen Millen, Reformation and Revolve are two more popular retailers for buying special occasion dresses — thanks to their elevated, ladylike designs. That said, you will pay a bit more when shopping with them, but we find that it's often worth it.

Where to buy plus-size wedding guest dresses

In addition to New Look, which we featured above for its stylish plus-size selections, there are several other UK retailers that top our list. Here are our favourites.

Boohoo: This retailer offers affordable, fashionable designs that make a real statement. If you have a unique sense of style, this is a great place to shop because its dresses are anything but boring.

PrettyLittleThing: In addition to the dresses featured above, PLT also offers an impressive selection of trendy plus-size wedding guest dresses. Trust us, these sexy, sophisticated styles are most definitely influencer-approved.

ASOS: You're likely familiar with ASOS, but have you shopped their formal dresses selection? If not, the retailer offers an impressive range of stylish designs, colourways, patterns and silhouettes for plus-size gals.

Chi Chi London: For those who love an extra ladylike ensemble with plenty of personality, Chi Chi London offers beautiful options for fancy affairs.

Our verdict

Obviously, we're big fans of all of the selections listed above. But if we had to choose a few favourites, we're partial to the River Island Green Print Satin Halter Neck Slip Midi Dress. This is because it's simple and timeless, meaning it can be styled in many different ways depending on the occasion. Then, for those who dare to don all red, we love the ASOS Design Satin One-Shoulder Drape Midi Dress; it's a figure-flattering piece that's sure to turn heads.

The information presented above is accurate as of 05/03/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices. The 'Best Buys featured' badge indicates sponsored content, and we may earn a commission when you make a purchase.