The Wedding Guest Dress

Summer’s Calling – The 5 best summer wedding guest dresses and outfits for summer 2023. SUMMER is on our doorstep, and for many it signifies a diary filled with weddings, and of course wedding guests’ corresponding desperate search for suitable wedding attire.

Summer wedding dresses for female guests are arguably easier to shop for than what’s available during other seasons, as you can be creative and bold with prints, lengths and fabrics. There are plenty of retailers on the high street, designer, and even rental sites to choose from. 

It is an unspoken rule not to wear white to a wedding, which is all the more achievable when shopping for a summer wedding attire, as bold colours are always in season. 

I have sifted high and low to bring the best summer guests’ wedding dresses for those upcoming summer weddings, which you can even recycle for garden parties, the races, a christening, or a summer vacation.

1. Satin Bandeau Midi Dress

A summer wedding is all about colour, vibrancy and lightweight designs, and this River Island design ticks all of those boxes.

Pair with neutral accessories, or colour clash with vibrant green shades for your footwear and clutch bag if you dare, to be bang on trend this summer.

This design comes in black too, so you can go for a pop of colour or a more subtle hue.

Pink Satin Bandeau Midi Dress, £37 from River Island

2. Layered Tier Exaggerated Frill Dress

& Other Stories are made with eco-conscious fabrics, and deliver on stunning designs.

Not only can you find yourself a flattering wedding guest dress for a summer wedding, but it’s also worth checking out their on trend accessories and shoes.

This patterned midi dress will look great however you style it, whether you wear for a wedding, christening, even a garden party, you’ll certainly get your cost per wear out of this summer dress.

From the bow tie detail on the straps, the sculpted bodice to the tiered panelling, we are head over heels for this number.

Layered Tier Exaggerated Frill Dress, £175 from & Other Stories

3. Pink Leopard Floral Dress

Never Fully Dressed has attracted a lot of attention from shoppers for the ability to style one dress multiple ways.

It is giving us major 70s vibes with the floral print, but we love the contemporary style of the dropped hem into a floaty skirt to contrast the more fitted top half of the dress to show off your slender frame.

What we love is you can wear the dresses on their own, dressed up or worn casually, or layered under a jumper, so you can get multiple wears out of your purchase.

This pink leopard print is sure to turn heads this summer, and many summers more.

Never Fully Dressed Pink Leopard Floral Dress, £33.50 (Was £89) from ASOS –

4. Print Maxi Dress

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.

This number boasts two summery clashing prints, which makes for a playful and energetic design, so rest assured you will not be coordinating with the bridal party.

What we love is it is a flattering shape, thanks to the V-plunge, short sleeves, and maxi length, which shows off the curves of the body, without being super skin tight.

Effie Mixed Print Maxi Dress, £170 from Kitri –

5. Asymmetrical cape dress

Capes are having a moment, as are asymmetric designs, and Mango has encapsulated both trends in this one design.

Go bold at your next summer wedding, with this lime design, which may be mini length, but offers the elegance with the one shoulder and sleek cape addition.

The colour may be daunting for some, but rest assured it does come in other colourways too.

However, with a glowing tan at a destination wedding, paired with nude, tan, even gold accessories, this will truly pop.

This design looks chic enough to wear for the ceremony, and take you through to the evening reception, or just the aftermath.

  • Asymmetrical cape dress, £55.99 from Mango