spring | summer

9 Wedding guest dress styling ideas for spring


Check out 9 spring wedding guest dress styling ideas for outdoor weddings with an airy maxi or pretty cocktail dress. Whether you’re attending a garden, beach, or rooftop wedding, choosing the perfect dress can feel overwhelming. With the right outfit, you’ll look picture-perfect, feel confident, and stay comfortable from ceremony to dancing.


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Wedding dress codes and myths

Firstly, each wedding has some dress code rules whether they are included in the invitation or not. The most important thing is to be well-dressed according to the circumstances but not overtop the bride with your outfit. It’s not our wedding. So, before you shop, let’s get one thing straight: wedding attire etiquette matters.

Avoid wearing solid white

White is for the bride. Never wear white or other pale shades that may look like white. The only reason you should wear white is if the wedding theme requires it in the invitation by saying specifically “white theme”.


Black dresses are fine for evening ceremonies

Another wedding guest outfit myth is that you shouldn’t wear a black dress and prefer colors. But, the truth is that a black dress with the right accessories is very appropriate for a a cocktail dress code wedding from formal to casual, especially if it takes place in the evening.


Colors and Prints for Daytime

Bright colors, pastels, and chic prints are ideal for daytime and outdoor events.


Location of the wedding and wedding outfits

The location of the wedding is an important factor to consider before deciding what to wear. Spring and summer weddings usually take place outdoors. Whether it’s a beach theme wedding, in a pretty garden, or in a traditional village, walking in these places in high heels and stilettos may be challenging.


These shoes will probably sink into the sand or grass and damage the heels. Plus, traditional villages or picturesque islands usually have cobblestone roads and yards that make your walking in high heels very difficult. So, on these occasions, flat sandals or even wedges are a comfy, yet chic choice in order to avoid discomfort and accidents. Yet, if you are a heels or stilettos lover, there’s the block heels option, or wear transparent protectors at the bottom of your high heels.


9 Wedding guest dress styling ideas for spring

Here’s your guide to summer wedding guest dress inspiration, including trends, styling tips, and outfit ideas that convert readers into buyers.

Breezy maxi dress outfits

Light blue maxi dress ideas


Aqua blue is for many a summer color and a great choice for a wedding guest outfit. For example, this pretty outfit layout features a gorgeous aqua-blue maxi dress with chic gladiator sandals and gold accessories. Combining accessories in metallics makes our wedding attire. But we can leave behind this “matchy-matchy” look. And, be more creative with accessories in different colors and materials.

outfit layout by Joanna_ARTbyJWP via polyvore.com

Coral maxi dress ideas


Other beautiful summer colors are coral, pink, and red. They look fabulous in airy maxi dresses. And, coral pink color has the advantage to flatter all types of hair and skin shades. It looks good in brunettes, blondes, and with all skin shades.

outfit layout by Joanna_ARTbyJWP via polyvore.com

This beautiful outfit layout matches a coral maxi dress with a straw bag and tan flat gladiator sandals. Featured items:

  • MANGO dress | John Lewis
  • Shoes | Aeropostale
  • iPhone case | Society6
  • Jewelry | Overstock
  • Jewelry | Nordstrom
  • Nars Cosmetic | Barneys


Spring and summer coral dresses go well not only with tan accessories but with gold or white, too. This wedding guest attire features a gold clutch, gladiator sandals, and an elegant metallic hair accessory.

outfit layout by Joanna_ARTbyJWP via polyvore.com

Yellow maxi dress ideas


Moreover, other vivid colors like yellow, green, purple, etc. All these colors are fantastic wedding guest dress options for spring and summer outdoor weddings.

https://gr.pinterest.com/pin/161637074164161573

And, they look great both in brunettes, blondes, or red-haired if we choose the appropriate shade.

outfit layout by Joanna_ARTbyJWP via polyvore.com

Pleated yellow maxi dress with gold accessories layout featured items:

  • Dress | Gabriella Rocha
  • Sandals | Charlotte Russe
  • Bag | Franchi
  • Bracelet | Oasis
  • Headband | Tasha

Black maxi dress ideas

Lastly, an airy maxi black dress is another elegant choice for a wedding guest outfit.


And, we can pair it with eye-catchy accessories to style for spring and summer.

outfit layout by Joanna_ARTbyJWP via polyvore.com

Mood board featured items:

  • Maxi dress | yoins.com
  • Christian Dior blush | saksfifthavenue.com
  • Bourjois eye makeup | thehut.com
  • Black pumps | yoins.com
  • Forever 21 makeup | forever21.com
  • Phone case | society6.com
  • Red purse | yoins.com
  • Long necklace | overstock.com
  • Bling Jewelry charm jewelry | bluefly.com
  • Lulu s gold jewelry | lulus.com
  • Moisturizing lipstick | nastydress.com
  • Hypoallergenic eye makeup | sophiescloset.com

White dresses with prints

At a wedding, the white color is only for the bride and not for the wedding guests’ outfits except for the rare option that the dressing code is to wear white. But if this option doesn’t, then the only way to wear a white dress to a wedding as a guest is with prints and patterns.


There are white dresses with beautiful floral or tropical designs that are a pretty summer choice for a semi-formal wedding. The only thing we should consider is to choose a dress with large vibrant designs and a little white surface.

outfit layout by Joanna_ARTbyJWP via polyvore.com

This beautiful summer outfit combines a tropical maxi dress with tan sandals and an orange clutch. Featured items:

  • Fratelli Karida shoes | Yoox
  • Michael Kors bag | Italist
  • Jennifer Zeuner earrings | Shopbop
  • Madewell Jewelry | Nordstrom
  • iPhone case | Society6
  • Lipstick | Mac Cosmetics
  • Valentino perfume | Nordstrom
  • Deborah Lippmann nail polish | Net-a-porter


More wedding guest dress styling ideas

Embroidery cocktail dress ideas


outfit layout by Joanna_ARTbyJWP via polyvore.com

Featured items:

  • Kenneth Cole shoes | Macy’s
  • Pink purse | The oblong box shop
  • Love Is Blue earrings | Wolf & Badger
  • iPhone case | Society6
  • Gorjana jewelry | Zappos
  • Dolce Gabbana fragrance | c21stores
  • Embroidery Dress | H&M
  • L’ Oréal Paris mascara | Very.co.uk
  • Lip pencil | Kiko cosmetics
  • Too Faced eyeliner | Selfridges

Midi cocktail dress ideas with patterns


First of all, maxi dresses don’t flatter every silhouette. And, secondly, there are women who feel awkward in them. So, for those who prefer shorter dresses, cocktail dresses in vivid colors are ideal for a summer wedding with a semi-formal dress code.

outfit layout by Joanna_ARTbyJWP via polyvore.com

For example, this blue cocktail dress with fabulous designs matches perfectly with a coral bag. Featured items:

  • Lilly Pulitzer dress | Rent the runway
  • Nly sandals | Nelly
  • Danielle Nicole bag | Bloomingdales
  • Accessorize ring | Accessorize
  • Ray-Ban eyewear | Stylebop
  • iPhone case | Society6
  • NARS Cosmetics lip shine | Net-a-porter
  • Urban Decay eyeliner | Belk
  • Christian Dior nail polish | Macy’s

outfit layout by Joanna_ARTbyJWP via polyvore.com

This cute summer outfit combines a mint midi summer dress with a coral clutch. Featured items:

  • KS Selection dress | Navabi
  • Sandals | H&M
  • Red bag | Nordstrom
  • Earrings | Amazon
  • Panacea jewelry | Nordstrom
  • Phone case | Society6
  • Hourglass Cosmetics makeup | Sephora



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joanna ARTbyJWP

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