Spice things up with these steamy flicks.
Updated Oct 14, 202435 Cocktail Dresses for Wedding Guests and Where to Buy Them
Cocktail attire is all about having fun with fashion.
Photo: Petal & Pup
When it comes to picking wedding guest attire, "cocktail" is where you can truly have the most fun with fashion. Cocktail dresses for a wedding don't follow all the official rules that come with semi-formal, formal or black-tie dress codes; they're typically more playful, bolder and fashion-forward. Dresses can be shorter (even minis are allowed!), and pants, jumpsuits and separates are options, too.
So, how to choose? Start by considering the season and venue. Look for bright, vibrant colors for spring and summer weddings or deeper jewel tones for fall. If the wedding is outdoors, go for breezier silhouettes, shorter hemlines or garden-inspired prints; indoor weddings call for edgier, structural pieces. Once you have your wedding cocktail dress locked in, style it with accessories; styling is of utmost importance for cocktail dress codes. Pick a pop-of-color bag, shoe or earring, or opt for materials that complement your dress's fabric. Here, we've started the process for you, pegging 35 sweet cocktail dresses for a wedding by category—and six favorite places to shop for them.
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
Top 10 Cocktail Dresses for Wedding Guests to Shop Now
Below, we've rounded up 35 of the best cocktail dresses for weddings that you can shop right now by category: Best florals, long-sleeve, plus-size, midi and black cocktail dresses. Here, however, are 10 quick hits: Dresses that hit major trends across color, silhouette, season and more.
- Best Spring Cocktail Wedding Guest Dress: Hello Molly Visit the Moon Strapless Midi Dress in Yellow, $105
- Best Summer Cocktail Wedding Guest Dress: Abercrombie & Fitch Bra-Free Hardware Maxi Dress in Purple Floral, $150
- Best Fall Cocktail Wedding Guest Dress: Petal & Pup Trilby Maxi Dress, $99. Get 15% off with the code PETALXKNOT.
- Best Winter Cocktail Wedding Guest Dress: Sabina Musayev Pleated Carry Dress, $60 rental
- Best Boho Cocktail Wedding Guest Dress: ASTR The Label Anora Floral Tiered Maxi Dress, $178
- Best Affordable Cocktail Wedding Guest Dress: Lulus Ideal Behavior Bronze Metallic Backless Tiered Mini Dress, $79. Get 25% off first-time purchases at Lulus in selected categories with the code THEKNOT25.
- Most Romantic Cocktail Wedding Guest Dress: Reformation Irisa Dress in Barcelona Border, $278
- Best Satin Cocktail Wedding Guest Dress: Petal & Pup Anabelle Halter Neck Midi Dress in Green Pink, $99. Get 15% off with the code PETALXKNOT.
- Best Unique Cocktail Wedding Guest Dress: Farm Rio Red 3D Flower Lenzing™ Ecovero™ Euroflax™ Mini Dress, $280
- Best Black Cocktail Wedding Guest Dress: Milly Yasmin Rose Mosaic Dress, $44 rental
In this article: Top 10 Cocktail Dresses for Wedding Guests | What Is a Cocktail Dress? | Where to Buy Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
Shop by style: Midi | Black | Floral | Long-Sleeve | Plus-Size
What Is a Cocktail Dress for Wedding Guests?
Cocktail attire may be the least specific of any wedding dress code, giving guests lots of room to get creative. Cocktail wedding guest dresses can be mini, knee-length or midi; they can be strapless, short- or long-sleeve; they can be any color of the rainbow.
Notably, cocktail attire is one of the only dress codes that allows guests to wear minidresses. In fact, a long-sleeve vibrant or metallic minidress—paired with fun shoes and a clutch—is a perfect example of a cocktail dress: It has balance, color and a bit of playfulness. (Save the full and floor-length dresses for more formal affairs.)
One factor guests should pay attention to is fabrication. Even for cocktail-attire weddings, which are slightly more casual than formal or black-tie, you want to look polished, put-together and dressed for the occasion. Avoid linen (in most cases; there are always exceptions!) or cotton dresses, and always avoid denim.
Where to Buy Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
Because wedding cocktail dresses range in style, color, silhouette and fabrication so much, there is a wide range of places to shop for them. A few stand out from the pack for their selection, price point or quality.
- Lulus: No matter the dress code, Lulus typically makes our list for where to shop for wedding guest dresses. However, the e-retailer particularly specializes in cocktail dresses (the search turns up roughly 1,200 styles). From flirty satin minis to dressier jacquards, there is something for every cocktail wedding. Plus, the price is right: Lulus' inexpensive wedding guest dresses are almost all under $100 and, in the cocktail category, there's a large selection under $60. First-time purchasers at Lulus can get 25% off selected categories with our exclusive code, THEKNOT25.
- Abercrombie & Fitch: Abercrombie is the sleeper hit here. The brand's recent revival also included the launch of The A&F Wedding Shop, which turns up a selection of stellar wedding guest dresses from casual to semi-formal in the $100–$150 price range. Look for pops of color, unique florals and staple pieces you can rewear to other events.
- Reformation: Sleek silk dresses and unique floral maxis are Reformation's specialties, and many of its pieces could be worn for cocktail affairs or more formal weddings, depending on styling. Reformation pieces are a little pricier—often because they're made from pure silk or other quality fabrics rather than satin blends like at other ready-to-wear retailers. However, their under $300 selection has some unique cocktail dresses for weddings.
- Rent the Runway: Rentals are an ideal option for weddings—especially in those years when you have a lot of them—and allow you to wear a designer piece you otherwise might not purchase. RTR's cocktail party selection is packed with color, ultra-unique cuts and silhouettes, and elevated midis.
- Petal & Pup: This online retailer's easy, breezy cocktail dress selection includes formal satin dresses, comfortable jumpsuits and some more casual boho cocktail dresses for weddings. Most ring in at $140 or less, and shoppers can find affordable shoes, bags and jewelry options to complete their look. Even better, you can get 15% off with our exclusive code, PETALXKNOT.
- ASTR the Label: This label is available on its own site or through Revolve and offers a unique, fashion-forward selection of wedding guest dresses, perfect for when the stylish to-be-weds expects guests to bring their A game. Worth noting: The brand also has a stellar selection of plus-size cocktail dresses for weddings, and offers most of its styles in standard or plus.
Midi Cocktail Dresses for Wedding Guests
Midi cocktail dresses top the list of wedding guest dress trends and have for a while, with the classic satin slip dress taking over the marketplace. There's certainly a reason the style sticks around: It fits a variety of dress codes, venues, seasons and budgets. Look for unique detailing—a ruffled halter, shirred hem, a velvet fabrication, a cool pattern—to add a wow factor to the go-to style. Styling is also important here: Midis show your shoes, so be sure to pick a pair that complements or even elevates the look.
1. A Navy Bustier Midi
Photo: ASTR The Label
Size range: XS–XL
2. A Corseted Peplum Midi
Photo: Azazie
Size range: 00–30
3. A Metallic Classic
Photo: Boden
Size range: 0–20/22
4. A Springy Strapless Midi
Photo: Hello Molly
Size range: XS–XL
5. A Halter Midi
Photo: Anthropologie
Size range: XXS–XL
6. A Tiered & Textural Midi
Photo: Lulus
Size range: XXS–XXL
Get 25% off first-time purchases in selected categories at Lulus with the code THEKNOT25.
7. A Drop-Waist Midi
Photo: ASTR the Label
Size range: XS–3X
Black Cocktail Dresses for Wedding Guests
Cocktail attire is very often colorful, but you can never go wrong with a little black dress (plus, with more specific dress codes on the rise, couples sometimes request guests in black). If you're wearing a black cocktail dress for a wedding, though, make it anything but basic: Look for unique materials like lace or velvet, and details that set it apart—think cutouts, embellishments or an on-trend basque waist like this Ronny Kobo piece. And, you can still infuse color through your wedding guest accessories. Pair a black cocktail dress with a colorful clutch, embellished shoes or a statement earring.
8. A Black Reverse Halter Midi
Photo: ASTR the Label
Size range: XS–XL
9. A Crisscross Halter
Photo: Eloquii
Size range: 14–32
10. A Black Cocktail Dress With Cutouts and Lace
Photo: Lulus
Size range: XXS–3X
Get 25% off first-time purchases in selected categories at Lulus with the code THEKNOT25.
11. A Sequined Style
Photo: Tuckernuck
Size range: XXS–XXL
12. A Black Lace Mini
Photo: Rent the Runway
Size range: 0–12
13. An Elevated Strapless Midi
Photo: Revolve
Size range: XXS–XL
14. An Off-the-Shoulder Black Mini
Photo: Lulus
Size range: XXS–XXL
Get 25% off first-time purchases in selected categories at Lulus with the code THEKNOT25.
Floral Cocktail Dresses for Wedding Guests
Florals for weddings aren't exactly, well, groundbreaking—but there are of-the-moment ways to wear them that set you apart as a wedding guest. For instance, look for moodier takes on the classic floral; our list has florals set against black or deep red for a little something different. Or, opt for a look with one large statement floral splashed across the front, rather than the more common repeating pattern. The style isn't just for spring and summer, though. Opting for deeper colors in a floral cocktail dress for a wedding can transition your look into fall and even winter, where florals may be more unexpected and welcome.
15. A Teal and Pink Floral Dress
Photo: Petal & Pup
Size range: XXS–XXL
Get 15% off with the code PETALXKNOT.
16. A Romantic Red Floral
Photo: Reformation
Size range: 0–12
17. A Purple Floral Maxi
Photo: Abercrombie & Fitch
Size range: XXSP–XLT
18. A Satin Floral With Scarf
Photo: Anthropologie
Size range: XXS–XL
19. A 3D Applique Floral
Photo: Azazie
Size range: 0–30
20. A One-Shoulder Floral Maxi
Photo: Petal & Pup
Size range: XS–XL
Get 15% off with the code PETALXKNOT.
21. A Destination-Inspired Floral Dress
Photo: FARM Rio
Size range: XXS–XL
Long-Sleeve Cocktail Dresses for Wedding Guests
There are a few times and types of weddings when we'd recommend opting for a long-sleeve cocktail dress. First, of course, is for fall or winter weddings, when the season or location calls for something with a little more warmth and coverage. But a long-sleeve cocktail dress for a wedding can come in handy other times, too. For example, juxtaposed with a mini hemline, long sleeves can provide modesty balance; paired with a flowy tiered skirt or floral pattern, they can lend a boho vibe. When shopping for long-sleeve wedding guest dresses, make sure they are comfortable (do the raising-your-arms test!) and breathable enough to wear the whole day or evening.
22. A Sheer-Sleeve Long-Sleeve Cocktail Dress
Photo: Boden
Size range: 0–20/22
23. A Boho Tiered Longsleeve
Photo: ASTR The Label
Size range: XS–XL
24. A Fitted Floral Maxi
Photo: Petal & Pup
Size range: XS–XL
Get 15% off with the code PETALXKNOT.
25. A Metallic Mini
Photo: Lulus
Size range: XXS–XXL
Get 25% off first-time purchases in selected categories at Lulus with the code THEKNOT25.
26. A Sparkling Tiered Maxi
Photo: Rent the Runway
Size range: 0–12
27. A Single-Sleeve Satin Kaftan
Photo: Anthropologie
Size range: XXS–XXL
28. An Embroidered Bell Sleeve Mini
Photo: Hello Molly
Size range: XS–XL
Plus-Size Cocktail Dresses for Wedding Guests
Unfortunately, the plus-size market is not quite as robust, so guests may need to dig a little deeper to find the perfect cocktail attire (which is why we've done the research for you). But other than that, all the same rules apply: Look for bold color, unique detailing and comfortable construction in plus-size cocktail dresses for a wedding. Bra-friendly neck and backlines (like this high-neck style from Reformation) are a bonus, too. As for where to shop, ASTR the Label, Azazie, Reformation and ASOS all have stellar selections in extended sizing.
29. A Midi With Ruffles
Photo: Show Me Your Mumu
Size range: XXS–3X
30. A V-Neck A-Line Midi
Photo: Anthropologie
Size range: XXSP–3X
31. A Metallic Midi
Photo: ASTR The Label
Size range: XS–3X
32. A Pink Off-Shoulder Midi
Photo: Anthropologie
Size range: XSP–3X
33. A Black-and-White Classic
Photo: Eloquii
Size range: 14–32
34. A Summery Floral Midi
Photo: Reformation
Size range: 14–24
35. A Tiered Floral Dress
Photo: ASTR The Label
Size range: XS–3X
Additional market work by Doireann Mangan.
