Where to buy wedding guest dresses (2024)

WE all love a wedding, and the top of the list for many is getting your outfit ready with many wondering exactly, where to buy wedding guest dresses.

There are plenty of wedding guest dresses to shop to suit all weddings, seasons, styles, and budgets, whether you're looking for designer wedding guest dresses, or from high street labels.

Each wedding is different, and with a range to attend (be it black tie, destination, city or country break) it can be overwhelming knowing 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 snap up a look.

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.

However, winter wedding guest dresses can be fun and playful as they typically lend themselves to embellishment, feathers, satins plus other decadent textures and accents.

There's just one thing to remember. It is an unspoken rule not to wear white to a wedding.

That's easy to steer away from some warm-weather weddings, as the summer is the prime time to opt for vibrant colours and bold prints, while winter colour palettes are rich jewel tones or black.

When it comes to shopping for wedding guest dresses midi length dresses are very on trend, although maxi and mini are also a great choice.

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.

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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 looking for stylish but affordable wedding guest dresses.

For those who are looking to blow the budget Daily Sleeper, Rixo, and Rotate, are having a moment, and are a worthy investment piece you will get a lot of wear out of.

Not sure where to start? We have sifted high and low to bring the best wedding dresses for you to shop.

Where to buy wedding guest dresses?

River Island

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.

Black Drape Off Shoulder Wrap Midi Dress, £45 - buy here
Pink Plisse One Shoulder Maxi Dress, £70 - buy here
Brown Satin Belted Slip Midi Dress, £60 - buy here
Yellow Floral Glitter Slip Maxi Dress, £70 - buy here

Mango

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.

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.

Shoppers can shop Mango directly from Mango, as well as Freemans and ASOS.

Pleated dress with knot detail, £310 from Mango - buy here
Flared-sleeve satin dress, £79.99 from Mango - buy here
Asymmetrical pleated dress, £79.99 from Mango - buy here
Mango pleated asymmetric dress in silver, £104.50 (Was £110) from ASOS - buy here
Mango Tiered Floral Print Dress, £42 (Was £79.99) from Freemans - buy here

M&S

When it comes to shopping for a wedding guest dress Marks & Spencer has plenty of options, as well as other brands 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
Floral Round Neck Midi Tea Dress, £39.50 - buy here
Printed V-Neck Midi Shirred Dress, £39.50 from M&S - buy here

ASOS

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.

Team with gold or copper accessories to bring out the vibrant print, or white, even nude, sandals.

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, £75 (Was £115) from ASOS - buy here
Topshop v-neck ruffle maxi dress with split in pink blurred print, £62.10 (Was £69) - buy here
ASOS EDITION bardot bow tie neck detail midaxi dress in orange abstract print, £137.75 (Was £145) - buy here
ASOS DESIGN Tall velvet knot detail midaxi dress with cut out detail in purple, £48 (Was £60) - buy here

& Other Stories

Nobody's Child

Nobody's Child has a selection of midi designs, wrap dresses, puff sleeve designs, as well as slip dresses, in various colours and prints.

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.

Lilac Coco Midi Dress, £95 from Nobody's Child - buy here
Sage Green Linen-blend Balloon Sleeve Zola Midaxi Dress, £130 - buy here
Plum Linen-blend Keyhole Isabella Midi Dress, £89 - buy here
Black Wildflower Shirred Bodice Liberty Midi Dress, £55.20 (Was £69) - buy here
Black Floral Elsie Midi Dress, £49 - buy here

Never Fully Dressed

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.

Never Fully Dressed Pink Leopard Floral Dress, £27 (Was £89) from ASOS - buy here
Silver Plisse Marnie Dress, £99 from Never Fully Dressed - buy here
Crochet Mix Emma Dress, £129 - buy here
Sequin Jem Dress, £169 - buy here

Nasty Gal

From satin slip dresses to midi-length creations, Nastygal has it all - and at affordable prices too.

Nastygal 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.

Floral Print Satin Cut-Out Maxi Dress, £63.75 (Was £85) from Nastygal - buy here
Floral Metallic Ruched Bust Maxi Dress, £76.30 (Was £109) - buy here
Butterfly Applique Strappy Maxi Dress, £62.30 (Was £89) - buy here
Velvet Floral Button Front Maxi Dress, £48.30 (Was £69) - buy here
Metallic Strapless Relaxed Midi Dress, £41.30 (Was £59) - buy here

Phase Eight

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.

Phase Eight Hayley Pleated Floral Maxi Dress, £189 from John Lewis - buy here
Donatella Ruffle Maxi Dress, £299 from Phase Eight - buy here
Rosa Floral Pleat Maxi Dress, £169 - buy here
Naomi Spot Chiffon Dress, £159 - buy here

Karen Millen

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?

Lace Bandeau Midi Dress, £97.30 (Was £139) from Karen Millen - buy here
Pleat Detail Petal Print Strappy Woven Midi Dress, £104.30 (Was £149) - buy here
Compact Stretch Viscose Tailored One Shoulder Maxi Dress, £188.30 (Was £269) - buy here
Chemical Lace Strappy Back Midi Dress, £132.30 (Was £189) - buy here

Kitri

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 too, making sure we have all bases covered 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, £185 from Kitri - buy here
Wren Black Polka Dot Shirred Dress, £195 - buy here
Vivien Black Feather Midi Dress, £210 - buy here
Neve Green Velvet Halter Dress, £190 - buy here

Whistles

Whistles is another great option when it comes to premium high street shopping, with elevated, gorgeous designs.

Whistles offer 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.

Whistles X Hai Slip Dress, £198 - buy here
Leather Bandeau Dress, £449 - buy here
Nellie Frill Detail Midi Dress, £189 - buy here

Reiss

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.

Jessa Ruched Midi Dress, £228 - buy here
Erica Tie Neck Front Dress, £248 - buy here
Becci Printed Midi Open Back Dress, £158 - buy here

Mint Velvet

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.

Khaki Floral Print Maxi Dress, £139 - buy here
Brown Mesh Print Midi Dress, £119 - buy here
Black Floral Mini Dress, £119 - buy here

Warehouse

Warehouse is pulling the designs out of the bag of late, as not only does it stock hundreds of stylish garments, across all categories, but 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, £95.20 - buy here
Satin Strappy Back Slip Dress, £62.10 (Was £69) - buy here
Floral Devore Button Down Midi Dress, £63 (Was £159) - buy here

Ghost

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.

Delphine Satin Maxi Dress, £156 (Was £195) - buy here
Frankie Cowl Neck Satin Midi Dress, £169 - buy here
Addison Satin Asymmetric Midi Dress,£195 - buy here

French Connection

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.

Echo Crepe Strapless Midi Dress, £1110 - buy here
Sparkle Maxi Dress, £65 (Was £110) - buy here
Camille Echo Crepe Strappy Dress, £95 - buy here

Alexandra Miro

Alexandra Miro has a stunning array of dresses to shop for the summer months, whether you have a special occasion coming up or vacation - maybe even both.

The label takes pride in its swimwear, but it also has a variety of floral co-ords and lightweight dresses too, which are perfect for destination weddings.

Yes, it may be a little higher price point, but it is well worth investing in, as you will wear it every summer.

Odetta Dress, £485 from Alexandra Miro - buy here
Gaia Dress, £ 110 (Was £365) - buy here
Saphira Dress, £450 - buy here

Outdazl

OutDazl has cropped up on our radar several times, particularly because it is loved by numerous celebrities, including Sam Faiers.

From cut-out dresses to figure-hugging midi designs, and bohemian maxi-style dresses, there are plenty of creations to shop at Outdazl for the perfect wedding guest dress.

Marcella Cowl Dress in Scarlet, £186 - buy here
Maxi Layered Print Dress Ankarina, £360 - buy here
Karma Maxi Dress in Green Floral, £110 - buy here

Daily Sleeper

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.

The Genus Rosa Satin Dress, £375 - buy here
Atlanta Linen Dress with Rose Detail, £340 - buy here
Aurora appliquéd taffeta and cady maxi dress, £479 from Net-A-Porter - buy here
Feather-Trim Suzi Maxi Nightdress, £392 from Harrods - buy here

Norma Kamali

Norma Kamali prides itself on flattering designs to suit all body shapes.

Fans of Sex and The City may have even spotted Sarah Jessica Parker's character Carrie Bradshaw wear the one-shoulder ruched dress on the latest instalment.

So if it's good enough for Carrie, it's good enough for us.

From super flattering figure-hugging midi dresses to asymmetric designs, Norma Kamali has plenty of stunning wedding guest dresses to slip into.

Norma Kamali Obie plunge-neck velvet gown, £175 from Matches - buy here
Diana one-shoulder ruched stretch-jersey gown, £100 (Was £200) from Net-A-Porter - buy here
Tie Front Halter Gown, £165 from Norma Kamali - buy here

Reformation

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.

Kourtney scoop-neck crepe midi dress, £298 from Reformation - buy here
Oren Silk Dress, £348 - buy here
Annabelle Silk Dress, £528 - buy here
Winslow Dress, £348 - 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

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, , 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, , 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, , 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.

I couldn’t afford an expensive wedding dress so got a bargain off Asos - people say I made it look designer

Shopping for a last-minute wedding guest dress, we have you covered.