WEDDING season has landed, and you may be wondering where to buy wedding guest dresses. Yes, finding the perfect wedding guest dress can be quite the minefield - it often takes us weeks, if not months, to find an appropriate design we still feel trendy in. But, when we're asked where to buy wedding guest dresses, and the best retailers to shop, we can reel off plenty of stores where you can buy wedding guest dresses to suit all weddings, seasons, styles, and budgets.
Each wedding is different, and with a range to attend (be it black tie, destination, city or country break) it can be overwhelming knowing where to buy wedding guest dresses, and what to wear to fit the dress code. Luckily, there are plenty of retailers on the high street, designer brands and rental sites where you can buy wedding guest dresses. For summer weddings, wedding guest dresses are a little easier as you can go lighter, and experiment with various prints, dress lengths, as well as fabrics, whereas winter weddings are often darker colour palettes and heavier textures.
Spring and summer wedding guest dresses may be designed using silky satins, lightweight chiffon, or even linen fabrics, which are breathable and will keep you cool throughout the wedding celebrations from the vow exchange to the reception. There's just one thing to remember. It is an unspoken rule to avoid wearing white to a wedding, but luckily the summer is the prime time to opt for vibrant colours and bold prints.
When it comes to shopping for wedding guest dresses, midi-length dresses are always on trend, as well as maxi, as they are considered more formal, modest and all round more appropriate without risking any fashion faux pas. Cami dresses are a go-to summer wedding dress as they are lightweight and flattering, and some styles can also be billowy, so you feel comfortable in your one-piece for hours on end. Most read in Fashion and Beauty 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.
High street retailers including M&S, River Island and Mango are ideal for those stuck on where to buy wedding guest dresses and are looking for stylish but affordable wedding guest dresses. For those who are looking to blow the budget Daily Sleeper, Rixo, and Rotate, are great investment pieces you will get a lot of wear out of. Not sure where to start? We have you covered, as these are the best retailers where you can buy wedding guest dresses, as well as a few suggestions of our favourite looks.
Where to buy wedding guest dresses? River Island has a host of dresses to shop for and is one of the go-to affordable retailers we instantly think of when we are wondering where to buy a wedding guest dress. From mini to maxi dresses, long sleeves to one sleeve, and tiered or embellished variations, River Island has something for every wedding guest to wear to any wedding. The array of satin slip dresses is impressive, and we can always trust River Island to deliver bright, bold and beautiful prints too, which are perfect for summer weddings, as well as destination ceremonies.
Pink Belted Ombre Slip Midi Dress, £40 - buy here Rose Gold Sequin Maxi Dress, £55 - buy here Red Drape Off Shoulder Bodycon Midi Dress, £45 - buy here Yellow Floral Glitter Slip Maxi Dress, £70 - buy here Mango has upped the ante in recent years, with many of their dresses feeling and looking much more premium than their price tag in recent years. A case in point is the high street retailer collaborated with Victoria Beckham on a new collection earlier this year. Mango's impressive dress selection includes printed designs, vibrant colourways, as well as understated pastel hues, in numerous lengths and textures, and an array of styles to suit every shopper's preferences.
The current selection of dresses has blown us away, and we are obsessed with all of them for different reasons; the various flattering cuts, the print, and the attention to detail in the ruffles, cutouts and strap detailing. Shoppers can shop Mango directly from Mango, as well as Freemans and ASOS. Asymmetrical floral dress, £89.
99 - buy here Structured satin dress with rhinestone neckline, £320 - buy here Asymmetrical bow neck dress, £200 - buy here Asymmetric ruffled dress, £109.99 - buy here Puffed sleeves dress, £59.99 - buy here Asymmetrical gradient dress, £89.
99 - buy here When it comes to shopping for a wedding guest dress Marks & Spencer has plenty of options, as well as other brands, as well as their own labels Autograph and Per Una, are stocked at M&S, including Ghost and Nobody's Child. Marks & Spencer has affordable yet stylish dresses suitable for all occasions, and budgets. M&S always come through with their floral midi tea dresses, which are stylish, flattering, and super easy to wear - plus they look much more expensive than their affordable price tags.
Even Holly Willoughby has been known to wear M&S' Midaxi Tea Dress on This Morning, and every time she does they sell out instantly. Embroidered Tie Neck Midaxi Tiered Dress, £69 - buy here Printed Midaxi Tea Dress, £45 - buy here Polka Dot V-Neck Maxi Wrap Dress, £49.50 - buy here Modal Rich Slash Neck Midi Waisted Dress, £49.
50 - buy here Puff Sleeve Midaxi Waisted Dress , £120 - buy here ASOS has a designated wedding shop for wedding guest dresses to make it easier than ever to find the right dress for you. Want something a bit different? The ASOS LUXE extreme bardot sleeve jacquard mini dress is chic, lightweight, flattering, and ideal for all temperatures. 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, which make it perfect for the summer months as it is playful but has room to cool down too.
Team with gold or copper accessories to bring out the vibrant print, or white, even nude, sandals. ASOS DESIGN one shoulder ruffle maxi dress, £75 - buy here ASOS LUXE extreme bardot sleeve jacquard mini dress in floral jacquard , £58.50 (Was £90) from ASOS - buy here Forever New halter neck maxi dress with split in floral, £80.
50 (Was £115) from ASOS - buy here Topshop sheer midi slip dress in pink floral print, £60 - buy here ASOS DESIGN frill gathered body midi dress, £72 - buy here ASOS EDITION bandeau heavy satin mini dress , £95 - buy here & Other Stories prides itself on making premium products using eco-conscious fabrics, with a beautiful range of wedding guest-appropriate dresses. Not only can you find yourself a flattering wedding guest dress for any season, but it's also worth checking out their on-trend accessories and shoes. This Voluminous Belted Midi Dress is giving us major Dolce & Gabbana vibes, with the blue and white floral print.
Voluminous Belted Midi Dress, £95 from & Other Stories - buy here Slim Satin Midi Dress, £97 - buy here Tiered Sleeveless Midi Dress, £135 - buy here Tiered Bubble Mini Dress , £145 - buy here Gathered Sleeveless Midi Dress, £95 - buy here Bustier Bubble Midi Dress, £195 - buy here Nobody's Child has a selection of midi designs, wrap dresses, puff sleeve designs, as well as slip dresses, in various colours and prints., all of which we need in our wardrobe ASAP. Nobody's Child always delivers on-trend dresses all year round, so stay tuned for more stylish creations from the label throughout the year.
We also love that Nobody's Child is it is an eco-conscious brand, and the designs are made using a breathable fabric. 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. Yellow Floral Viola Maxi Dress, £150 - buy here Cream Ditsy Floral Hazel Maxi Dress, £99 - buy here Blue Satin Jacquard Dee Dee Midi Dress, £59 - buy here Black Gingham Ruffle Tiered Rosalia Maxi Dress, £99 - buy here Multi Tie Dye Satin Ida Maxi Dress, £89 - buy here Khaki Shirred Cassandra Midi Dress, £85 - buy here Black Bandeau Button Regina Midi Dress, £99 - buy here Never Fully Dressed is one of our favourite labels, and is well known for its statement dresses, with eye-catching prints and the ability to style one dress in multiple ways.
But, most importantly, the designs are made to be versatile and styled in various ways too, you can easily turn a wrap dress into a kimono, wrap skirt, or a top, among other creations. They're the perfect place to pick up a wedding guest dress that you'll wear again and again. We have watched countless live demonstrations on the brand's socials to see exactly how the team styles one piece in numerous ways, which is perfect value for money, especially if you only tend to wear a wedding guest dress for that one occasion - now you can change that.
Never Fully Dressed Pink Leopard Floral Dress, £30 (Was £89) from ASOS - buy here Silver Plisse Marnie Dress, £99 from Never Fully Dressed - buy here Blue Jacquard Mini Tilda, £99 - buy here Blue Love Lock Erin Dress, £99 - buy here Orange and Pink Sleeveless May Dress, £99 - buy here Tomato Lola Mid-axi Dress, £99 - buy here From satin slip dresses to midi-length creations, Nasty Gal has it all - and at affordable prices too. Nasty Gal is the one-stop shop for all fun and feminine dresses, no matter the occasion, and the place to shop for a full outfit, complete with heels and accessories too. Shoppers are spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping stunning garments for a wedding, no matter if it's in the UK, or abroad, in the summer or winter - and if you're only invited to the reception too.
Plus you can even shop for bridal attire too, such as adorable bardot mini dresses perfect for the big day or your hen do. Ruffle Layer Plunge Maxi Dress, £36 (Was £119) - buy here Floral Metallic Cut Out Maxi Dress, £53.40 (Was £89) - buy here Satin Tie Shoulder Bias Maxi Dress, £40 (Was £79) - buy here Bold Floral Satin Keyhole Mini Dress, £29.
40 (Was £49) - buy here Phase Eight is a failsafe shopping destination to buy formal occasionwear, whether it is for the office, or to a wedding. Phase Eight bridges the gap between high street and high-end with its luxury designs, made from premium fabrics in an array of prints and styles. From puff sleeve dresses to pleated creations, dipped hems, to tailored midi numbers, there are plenty of styles at Phase Eight, which is super flattering and feminine for the wearer.
Donatella Ruffle Maxi Dress, £299 - buy here Phoebe Frill Maxi Dress, £169 - buy here Nicky Broderie Swing Dress, £99 - buy here Rosa Floral Pleat Maxi Dress, £169 - buy here Naomi Spot Chiffon Dress, £159 - buy here Karen Millen creates luxury-looking designs to suit all occasions, so it's a great place to look for a wedding guest dress. We love a classic, timeless, dress, and Karen Millen has nailed it with their vast array of dresses suitable to wear to a wedding all year. Plus, there are subcategories in the wedding guest dress section tailored to all seasons - could your shopping experience be any more smooth sailing? Mirrored Floral Viscose Linen Strappy Midaxi Dress, £194.
65 (Was £229) - buy here Tall Strappy Embellished Ruched Georgette Woven Maxi Dress, £161.85 (Was £249) - buy here Petite Applique Organdie Buttoned Woven Maxi Dress, £220.35 (Was £339) - buy here Compact Stretch Viscose Tailored One Shoulder Maxi Dress, £228.
65 (Was £269) - buy here Floral Applique Woven Strappy Woven Maxi Dress, £135.85 (Was £209) - buy here 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.
But Kitri is not afraid to play with textures, so shoppers can find great options for winter wedding guest dress shopping too. Effie Mixed Print Maxi Dress, £120 (Was £170) from Kitri - buy here Keira Red Tulip Print Maxi Dress, £180 from Kitri - buy here Gretchen Pastel Floral Jacquard Mini Dress, £160 - buy here Christy Pastel Floral Knit Mini Dress, £165 - buy here Velma Apricot Painted Floral Print Midi Dress, £165 - buy here Whistles is another great option when it comes to premium high street shopping, with elevated, gorgeous designs. Whistles offers shoppers the chance to shop wedding dresses and bridesmaids' dresses, plus there is an array of wedding guest dresses to secure too.
Under the Wedding tab, online shoppers can select from wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses and wedding guest dresses, which makes for a super simple online shopping spree. Nellie Frill Detail Midi Dress, £189 - buy here Marble Print Dress, £229 - buy here Lucid Floral Bonnie Dress, £179 - buy here Tropical Leaves Paloma Dress, £189 - buy here Reiss is another hugely popular option for smart tailoring, formal wear, and wedding outfits. If you have a special occasion you want to look elegant in, this is the one place to shop.
While Reiss may be found on the high street it is a more premium label. From suits for women, mini dresses to midi designs, even a stylish co-ord, the options are limitless at Reiss. Plus, Reiss is also stocked at other stockists so if your desired outfit has sold out in stores or online, you may well be able to find it in other outlets.
Erica Tie Neck Front Dress, £248 - buy here Rue Viscose Linen Polka Dot Ruched Maxi Dress, £268 - buy here Becci Printed Midi Open Back Dress, £158 - buy here Odell Linen Blend Drape Maxi Dress, £248 - buy here Mint Velvet has a stunning array of dresses for all seasons, styles and occasions. Whether you are shopping for a winter guest dress or a summer wedding guest dress, Mint Velvet has it all with gorgeous midi, maxi dresses and more. Mint Velvet has something for everyone from long sleeves to capped-sleeve dresses, collar detail to button-front fastening and bohemian-inspired ensembles.
Orange Floral Print Ruffle Maxi Dress, £199 - buy here Navy Floral Broderie Tie Midi Dress, £199 - buy here Yellow Floral Print Tulle Maxi Dress, £229 - buy here Yellow Ruched Waist Detail Midi Dress, £199 - buy here Green Puff Sleeve Midi Dress, £229 - buy here Warehouse is pulling the designs out of the bag of late, its vast selection of dresses is unbeatable in our opinion. We're obsessed with their long maxi bohemian creations, and uber-feminine baby doll-style mini dresses. We are spoilt for choice, and selecting a handful of our favourites is a challenge because we love every single dress.
Spot Satin Halter Neck Backless Maxi Dress, from £83.30 - buy here Satin Strappy Back Slip Dress, £41.40 (Was £69) - buy here Floral Devore Button Down Midi Dress, £63 (Was £159) - buy here Floral Printed Viscose Jacquard Keyhole Midi Dress, £41.
30 (Was £59) - buy here Ghost is a hit with many celebrities, in particular, Holly Willoughby who previously wore Ghost when she co-hosted This Morning. There are timeless styles of dresses to suit every shopper and to look elegant no matter the occasion, or season. Part of the wedding party? Ghost also has a variety of dresses to suit brides and bridesmaids.
What we most love about Ghost are the timeless styles that suit brides, bridesmaids, and wedding guests too, so it truly is the one stop shop. Delphine Satin Maxi Dress, £195 - buy here Addison Satin Asymmetric Midi Dress,£195 - buy here Ava Crepe Midi Dress, £40 (Was £145) - buy here Laura Crepe Midi Dress, £31.60 (Was £79) - buy here Cicely Satin Midi Dress, £149 - buy here French Connection is a great place to look for wedding guest dresses to wear for any type of wedding, whether it's the full day or just the evening reception.
French Connection has a designated shopping area for wedding guest dresses, and you can also find gorgeous co-ords, two-piece suits, or jumpsuits. Donna Irwen Hammered Satin Dress, £79 - buy here Althea Satin Pleated V-Neck Dress, £95 - buy here Floriana Ciarra Organza Bardot Midi Dress, £95 - buy here Echo Crepe Strapless Midi Dress, £1110 - buy here Camille Echo Crepe Strappy Dress, £95 - buy here Daily Sleeper is loved by Millie Mackintosh, Leona Lewis and many more, and it has got our seal of approval too. Sleeper's attention to detail is why the brand has garnered rave reviews.
It's well known for its feather pyjamas, and linen dresses, both of which are great statement options for a formal, or relaxed wedding. Plus, some stockists, including the main Daily Sleeper website, currently have a sale on select items. The Genus Rosa Satin Dress, £360 - buy here The Bloom Maxi Linen Dress, £360 - buy here Atlanta Linen Dress, £200 (Was £400) - buy here Rose detail Atlanta Dress, 305£ from Harrods - buy here Party Shirt Dress with Detachable Feathers, £215 (Was £360) - buy here 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 Reformation. You may have seen their square neck designs before, but we are obsessed with their range of gorgeous prints. Oren Silk Dress, £348 - buy here Brenta Dress, £248 - buy here Astoria Dress, £248 - buy here Annabelle Silk Dress, £528 - buy here Winslow Dress, £348 - buy here Delilah Linen Dress, £298 - buy here Samara Linen Dress, £298 - buy here Rat & Boa Rat & Boa is a popular brand to head to for a special occasion, including a wedding - we have even spotted Rat & Boa designs adorned by Love Island contestants.
From mini dresses to maxi-length designs, and long puff sleeves, to off-the-shoulder and strappy creations, Rat & Boa has every style covered. Plus, there are an array of prints from polka dots to floral designs. Casablanca Dress, £150 from Rat & Boa - buy here Adriana Dress, £185 - buy here Serafia Dress, £190 - buy here Anthropologie Anthropologie is known for its bohemian and ethereal inspired dresses, though there are plenty of other stylish garments to shop from the label.
While you can shop the brand’s own designs, you may also find creations from other fashion houses too. Anthropologie is a popular shopping destination, but it has increased in popularity of late because of the impressive range of dresses, namely the bandeau slip maxi skirt with the floral detail on the front, which we have seen many influencers sporting at destination weddings over the last few weeks. The eclectic curation of garments means there is a style to suit every body shape, style, and occasion, even season too.
The Fleur Strapless Satin Maxi Slip Dress, from £128 - buy here Maeve Halter Ruched Midi Dress, £148 - buy here Asymmetric Ruffle Maxi Slip Dress, £148 - buy here Kachel Lulu Flutter-Sleeve Ruffle Maxi Dress, £148 - buy here Kachel Rita Sleeveless Maxi Slip Dress, £148 - buy here How to dress for a wedding as a guest? When you receive an invite to a wedding thoughts quickly turn to the outfit and what you will wear to a wedding. There are a few factors to consider at first, the season and destination. If you are dressing for a summer wedding or destination wedding, you can easily whittle down your outfit to lightweight, breathable fabrics, and floaty designs, though any length is suitable.
A winter wedding dress may call on thicker fabrics, long sleeves, and anything we can wear for extra warmth. The second most important element is your style, if you are conscious of any part of your body, factor that in too, after all, you want to feel your best and confident in your skin. Of course, when buying a wedding guest dress set a budget and stick to it, because you don't want to be out of pocket.
What to wear over wedding guest dresses? When heading to a wedding there can sometimes be several elements to create the final polished look. Especially, for winter weddings, or those windy days, a cover-up may be needed to keep you warm en route to the wedding ceremony and after. And with some destination weddings, you may need a cover-up to ensure you are not overheating, or burning, under the sun.
Regardless of the season, or weather, a smart blazer is a great cover-up to wear over your wedding guest dress; in the summer months, a lightweight fabric will fit perfectly, while in the winter months deeper tones, and thicker textures, like a black velvet blazer would be better. For those wanting a cover-up for a winter wedding, we also recommend a smart tailored coat or faux fur jacket - make sure to leave your puffer coats at home. Pashminas, or shawls are also a great cover-up for when the chill sets in, or to protect you from the elements.
You can drape loosely around your back and arms, or have more coverage with a shawl draped around your body. Where to buy cheap wedding guest dresses? Weddings are expensive, whether you're planning or attending one. The cost of an outfit can quickly tot up - a new dress, new shoes, maybe a blazer, a clutch to bring the outfit together, and probably new jewellery too - that's before you fork out on a gift, and travel to and from the wedding.
For those looking to keep costs down, and save some pennies on the outfit, high street and online shopping destinations are the best places to look for affordable options that mean you don't have to sacrifice your style. We prefer online shopping as you can filter the price to ensure you stay within your budget. Some of our favourite retailers to shop for affordable dresses include ASOS , M&S , and Warehouse , as there is often a sale on the latter retailer.
Where to buy plus-size wedding guest dresses? There are plenty of high-street brands you can shop for plus-size wedding guest dresses. From high street to high-end designers there is something to suit everyone's needs, styles and body shapes. Popular shopping retailers to shop plus size wedding dresses include ASOS , M&S , Karen Millen Warehouse and Simply Be .
While Nobody's Child doesn't have a listing for plus-size wedding guest dresses, the dresses are available in UK dress sizes 6 to 24. Where to buy black tie wedding guest dresses? If your wedding invitation stipulates it is a black-tie affair, it means a more formal dress code. The black tie dress code means ballgowns and evening dresses for women, and tuxedos for men.
Whether you are looking for evening gowns on a budget or have no budget, there are plenty of retailers to head to. High street retailers to shop affordable black tie dresses include ASOS , M&S , Karen Millen , Warehouse , French Connection and John Lewis . But if you are looking to go all out with your glamorous black tie dress Norma Kamali, Reformation, Daily Sleeper, and Ghost are popular retailers.
To shop even more high-end black tie dresses we recommend checking out Net-A-Porter , Selfridges and Farfetch for designer buys. Where to buy last-minute wedding guest dresses? If you have a wedding to attend and nothing to wear, but you are looking to buy a wedding guest dress last minute, do not fret, you can still find plenty of styles to wear for the occasion. Some of our go-to's when we have left outfit planning to the last minute include ASOS, M&S and John Lewis as you can select multiple delivery options, even collections from stores to get your outfit sooner.
Other popular, and speedy, retailers include Nobody's Child, Warehouse, Net-A-Porter, and many more. Where to rent wedding guest dresses? If you do not want to spend a fortune on your wedding guest dress, why not rent it? This will cut the cost, and you could even wear something designer for a fraction of the price of buying the designer dress outright. There are plenty of rental sites to head to, including Hurr , Hirestreet , and By Rotation .
However, some brands allow you to rent a dress directly from their site too, such as Nobody's Child , Selfridges and Rixo . When it comes to renting dresses you select the duration ranging from three days to a week, perhaps even longer, and the dry cleaning is dealt with, so, rest assured you have a freshly laundered dress to your door in no time. What to wear to a summer wedding? Summer wedding guest dress shopping means a whole host of styles, prints and colours to suit warmer weather weddings.
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 is perfect to take you from day to night. You might feel more comfortable in a looser fitting dress, such as a bohemian style, puff sleeve, and floaty design, which is not clingy in the warmer weather. Those solely attending the evening reception of a warm weather wedding may prefer a mini design so you are not restricted when it comes to hitting the dancefloor.
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 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. Your budget will depend on the type of wedding, and what part you are invited to, as this may impact how much you spend on an outfit.
If you are only invited to the evening reception, you may be recycling an existing piece, or looking to cut costs on your dress and accessories. It'll also depend on 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. It's worth keeping your eyes peeled on retailers with sales on.
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, blow the budget for a special occasion, or even hire an outfit to save costs even more. There are plenty of options out there.
Ultimately setting your budget and sticking to it, is key, and you must remember not to overspend but stay within your means - after all, it is a wedding guest outfit, not your wedding. Shopping for a last-minute wedding guest dress , we have you covered. READ MORE SUN STORIES Have you been invited to be a bridesmaid dress? We have found the 10 best high-street bridesmaid dresses that we’re loving .
Looking for wedding dresses on a budget, we have you covered. Want to find more savings on your online shopping? Then head to Sun Vouchers where you can get discounts and voucher codes from hundreds of top retailers including B&Q , Boots , Iceland , Lookfantastic , Dunelm , Adidas , Marks & Spencer and more..
