40 Summer Wedding Guest Dresses You Can Wear From Memorial Day to Labor Day

We're forecasting hot temps and even hotter styles.
Collage of three summer wedding guest dresses
Photos, left to right: Petal + Pup, ELOQUII, Lulus
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by
Sofia Deeb
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Sofia Deeb
Assistant Fashion Commerce Editor
  • Sofia writes and edits articles for The Knot Worldwide with a specialty in fashion and e-commerce.
  • Prior to The Knot Worldwide, Sofia was a writer for Santa Barbara Life and Style Magazine.
  • Sofia studied cultural anthropology and journalism at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Updated Jul 15, 2024
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Since you're here, there's a good chance that your fridge is full of save-the-dates and wedding invites for summer 2024. (After all, our Real Weddings Study shows that it's one of the most popular times of year to get married.) Well, if that's the case, let us save you some stress and help you find a cute summer wedding guest dress you can re-wear all season long.

It can be tough to find a summer dress for weddings—especially when tricky dress codes like 'beach formal' and 'daytime attire' come into play. And we can't forget about factors like heat and humidity. The good news is that there are plenty of options to get you through the dog days of June, July and August in style, and we've rounded up 40 of the best examples of summer wedding guest attire. Keep reading to browse our shoppable picks, and get expert advice on seasonal styling.

(Psst. Once you've found a dress, you can head over to our wedding guest shoe roundup to find the perfect pair to finish your look.)

In this article:

Short and Casual Summer Wedding Guest Dresses

Heading to a semi-formal beach wedding or laidback garden party? Lean into shorter lengths and casual fabrics that still feel festive. Bold colors and fun prints are fair game too. Then, accessorize with simple jewelry and a pair of wedges, block heels or flats. Ahead, shop 20 of the best casual summer dresses for weddings, ranging from tropical mini styles to flowy, high-low frocks.

1. Floral Poplin Midi Dress

Square-neck poplin midi dress with yellow floral print
Photo: Abercrombie & Fitch

Size Range: XXS - XXL | Petite, Regular, Tall

2. Jacquard Dress With Puff Sleeves

Short pink and orange floral jacquard puff sleeve dress
Photo: Lulus

Size Range: XS - XL

3. Black Linen Mini Dress

Reformation black linen mini summer wedding guest dress
Photo: Reformation

Size Range: 0 - 12

4. Black Floral Mini Dress

By Anthropologie scallop halter neck mini floral summer wedding guest dress
Photo: Anthropologie

Size Range: XXS - XL

5. Short Tropical Summer Dress

Pink tropical-print mini dress with long voluminous sleeves
Photo: REVOLVE

Size Range: XS - XL

6. Simple Pink Midi Dress

Pink midi dress with square neckline and tie straps
Photo: Petal + Pup

Size Range: 0 - 16

7. Floral Linen Mini Dress

Sachin & Babi floral summer wedding guest mini dress
Photo: Sachin & Babi

Size Range: 0 - 14

8. Blue Lace Dress With Sleeves

Blue summery lace long-sleeve mini dress
Photo: Tuckernuck

Size Range: XXS - XXXXL

9. Ruffled High-Low Halter Dress

Purple asymmetrical summer wedding guest dress
Photo: REVOLVE

Size Range: XS - XL

10. Blue Floral Mini Dress

Blue floral mini summer wedding guest dress

Size Range: XS - 3X

11. Orange Pleated Halter Dress

Orange pleated haltner-neck dress for summer wedding guests
Photo: Rent the Runway

Size Range: XS - XL

12. Long-Sleeve Patterned Mini Dress

Farm Rio x Anthropologie patterned mini summer wedding guest dress
Photo: Anthropologie

Size Range: XXS - XL

13. Plisse Lace-Up Mini Dress

Lulus plisse lace-up mini summer wedding guest dress
Photo: Lulus

Size Range: XS - XL

14. Rosette Sash Mini Dress

ELOQUII rosette sash pink mini summer wedding guest dress
Photo: ELOQUII

Size Range: 14 - 32

15. Blue Dress With Flared Sleeves

Light blue floral summer wedding guest dress with long sleeves
Photo: ASOS

Size Range: 0 - 14

16. Black Sleeveless Event Dress

Black floral short summer wedding guest dress
Photo: Petal + Pup

Size Range: XS - XL

17. Tile Print Short Sleeve Mini Dress

Farm Rio blue tile print mini summer wedding guest dress
Photo: Farm Rio

Size Range: XXS - XL

18. Tie-Neck Little Black Dress

Anthropologie black tie-neck mini summer wedding guest dress
Photo: Anthropologie

Size Range: XXS - XL

19. Short Tiered Organza Dress

Tiered organza strapless mini dress with floral print
Photo: Abercrombie & Fitch

Size Range: XXS - XXL | Petite, Regular, Tall

20. Pearl Halter Occasion Dress

Light pink ruffled dress with beaded halter neckline
Photo: ELOQUII

Size Range: 14 - 32

Long and Elegant Summer Wedding Guest Dresses

If the dress code leans more formal, now's your chance to wear a long, fancy frock. Look for elegant styles with silky fabrics, floor-grazing skirts and dramatic silhouettes, then elevate your look with statement jewelry or a bold headpiece. Ahead, you'll find 20 of the best options that can take you from the start of the season to late summer.

    1. Flowy Pleated Cutout Dress

    Pleated cutout green midi dress for summer wedding guest
    Photo: Abercrombie & Fitch

    Size Range: XXS - XXL | Petite, Regular, Tall

    2. Teal Twisted Floral Sundress

    Blue floral elegant summer wedding guest maxi dress
    Photo: Lulus

    Size Range: XXS - XXL

    3. Formal Tropical Silk Dress

    Long formal tropical print dress with halter neck
    Photo: Reformation

    Size Range: XS - 3X | Plus, Petite, Standard

    4. Tropical Maxi Dress With Ruffled Shoulders

    Tropical purple summer dress for wedding guests
    Photo: Tuckernuck

    Size Range: S - XL

    5. Blue Floral Maxi Dress

    ASTR The Label blue floral maxi summer wedding guest dress
    Photo: ASTR The Label

    Size Range: XS - XL

    6. Colorful Floral Halter Dress

    Petal + Pup floral summer wedding guest dress
    Photo: Petal + Pup

    Size Range: XS - XL

    7. Chartreuse Satin Midi Dress

    Lulus chartreuse satin midi summer wedding guest dress
    Photo: Lulus

    Size Range: XS - XL

    8. One-Shoulder Trapeze Evening Gown

    Bright orange one-shoulder trapeze gown with ruffle hem
    Photo: ELOQUII

    Size Range: 14 - 32

    9. Long Tiered Floral Dress

    Off-the-shoulder blue floral summer wedding guest dress
    Photo: Rent the Runway

    Size Range: 0 - 16

    10. Tiered Tropical Printed Maxi

    Sachin & Babi floral midi wedding guest dress
    Photo: Sachin & Babi

    Size Range: XS - XL

    11. Colorful Maxi Dress With Sleeves

    Rococo tropical summer wedding guest dress
    Photo: REVOLVE

    Size Range: XXS - XL

    12. Long Strapless Floral Sundress

    Petal + Pup tiered floral pink summer wedding guest dress
    Photo: Petal + Pup

    Size Range: XS - XL

    13. Flowy Green Maxi Dress

    Showpo green maxi summer wedding guest dress
    Photo: Showpo

    Size Range: 2 - 16

    14. Formal One-Shoulder Maxi Dress

    ASOS one-shoulder maxi plus size summer wedding guest dress
    Photo: ASOS

    Size Range: 14 - 26

    15. Green One-Shoulder Maxi Dress

    Farm Rio green patterned one shoulder maxi summer wedding guest dress
    Photo: Farm Rio

    Size Range: XXS - XL

    16. Bold Pink High-Low Dress

    Abercrombie & Fitch pink maxi summer wedding guest dress
    Photo: Abercrombie & Fitch

    Size Range: XXS - XXL | Petite, Regular, Tall

    17. Colorful Patterned Smock Dress

    Derek Lam patterned smock summer wedding guest dress
    Photo: Rent the Runway

    Size Range: 00 - 18

    18. Pink Tiered Floral Gown

    Abercrombie & Fitch floral summer wedding guest dress
    Photo: Abercrombie & Fitch

    Size Range: XXS - XXL | Petite, Regular, Tall

    19. Floral Pleated Midi Dress

    ASTR The Label floral summer wedding guest dress
    Photo: ASTR The Label

    Size Range: XS - XL

    20. Printed Backless Maxi Dress

    MISA red floral summer wedding guest dress
    Photo: MISA

    Size Range: XXS - XL

    Wondering what to look for in a cute summer wedding guest dress? These three trends are a great place to start. Tropical prints, cutouts and halter necklines are expected to be some of the *hottest* styles for 2024 (and chances are, they might already be in your closet). Let's break it down:

    • Tropical Prints: Don't get us wrong, classic florals will never go out of style, but this year, we're seeing tropical prints take center stage. It makes sense, really. Palm trees and hibiscus flowers are synonymous with summer, so why not incorporate them into summer clothes? If you want to switch things up this season, swap your classic floral frock with a tropical-printed maxi for an island-inspired vibe.
    • Cool Cutouts: It's no surprise that cutouts are making their way into the spotlight as we head into summer 2024. Warm weather offers the perfect excuse to show a little skin and a side or midriff cutout can be an excellent way to do so. The options are virtually endless when it comes to cutouts. They can be sweet and subtle, like a keyhole slit, or more daring, like waistline cutouts that extend into an open back.
    • Halter Necklines: With nostalgia taking over the internet, throwback styles like the halter are quickly making their way back onto the scene. The '90s-inspired trend was practically made for summer, as it's often paired with an open back for a lightweight, breathable feel. Plus, halter necklines show off the shoulders, making them a great way to get your tan on under the sun at an outdoor wedding this summer.

    Where to Buy Dresses to Wear to Summer Weddings

    Need more ideas? Now that you know how to narrow your search, browse these editor-favorite websites that ship right to your door. There are pages upon pages of dresses you can wear to a summer wedding as a guest.

    • Reformation: If you've got a jam-packed wedding season ahead of you and are looking for a timeless outfit that can be worn again and again, Reformation is the perfect place to begin your search. The classic, understated looks available in their Wedding and Party Dresses section will quickly make their way into your most-worn rotation—and because they're made from high-quality sustainable materials, they'll last for years to come.
    • Abercrombie & Fitch: Whether you're shopping online or in-store at one of their many locations throughout the country, you're sure to find countless summer wedding guest dress options at Abercrombie & Fitch. Their virtual Wedding Shop makes it easy to browse options all in one place. Plus, we love that most of their dresses are available in standard, petite and tall sizing.
    • REVOLVE: With a fashion-forward look from REVOLVE, you'll be well on your way to earning yourself the title of 'best-dressed guest' this summer. Their Occasion Ready Dresses section allows you to sort through a variety of designer options in all different colors and patterns, including mini dresses, gowns and everything in between. With all the season's trendiest looks in their lineup, it's easy to find a standout pick at REVOLVE.
    • Sachin & Babi: Sachin & Babi is your one-stop shop for all things event attire. No matter the dress code of the wedding you're attending, you're bound to find a look you love on their website. Within their Wedding Guest section, you'll find plenty of modest options as well. Plus, if you decide to opt for a pantsuit, romper or jumpsuit instead, Sachin & Babi carries an exciting array of wedding-ready options you're sure to love.
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