Wedding Guest Dresses For Every Style
The right wedding guest dress is bound to make a statement, made from gorgeous fabrics and colors that make you feel your absolute best. Find your perfect guest dress that’s sleek, unique, and beautiful.
When you shop for wedding guest dresses at David’s Bridal, you can browse our selection by size, silhouette, length, occasion, fabric, and more. Or, find your ideal dress when you choose to search by color. With many unforgettable and beautiful hues to choose from, you’ll find the perfect dress to match the wedding venue, season, dress code, and theme.
What to consider when picking your wedding guest dress
When shopping for a wedding guest dress, there are several factors to keep in mind:
- Time. If the wedding is in the morning or middle of the day, a light-colored dress might be a better choice. At night, darker colors or prints may be a more fitting option.
- Venue. Where is the wedding taking place? If it’s on a beach, wearing a long, flowy floral dresses is a great fit. Whereas if it’s at a country club, something more formal such as a midi or floor-length gown would be appropriate.
- Dress code. Some wedding invitations will mention a dress code for guests to follow. This code can be anything from black tie to a specific color scheme. Be sure to read that over before you go shopping!
- Weather. Is the wedding outside or inside? What’s the weather supposed to be? For cooler weather, opt for a floor-length gown or long-sleeve dress (or try a cape or a wrap over a sleeveless dress). If it’s warmer out, a mini dress or flowy, lightweight maxi dress would be best.
What color dress do you wear to a wedding as a guest?
While there is no specific color you have to wear as a wedding guest, there are a few things you should consider when choosing your garment.
First, look to the seasons. This serves as a great inspiration for the right outfit. In fall, you might want to opt for colors that complement the season like olive or cinnamon, whereas in spring you can go lighter with a pink or light blue.
You also should pay attention to the wedding invitations since the color scheme is typically the colors the wedding party will wear. Ideally, you want to choose a color that doesn’t match the bridesmaids. And it goes without saying: In many cultures, wearing white when the bride wears white is a social faux pas!
How to accessorize a wedding guest dress
Once you’ve found the perfect guest dress, it’s time to accessorize. Here are a few great go-to accessories that will complete your look.
- Strappy heels. This kind of wedding guest dress shoe is a classic accessory that adds elegance to any outfit, whether it’s a maxi dress or a shorter number. If you plan on hitting the dance floor all night, bring a pair of sandals or flats just in case.
- A small clutch. The right handbag can add a pop of color or texture to your outfit while keeping all your essentials such as your phone and keys in a safe place.
- Earrings or a bracelet. Spice up your dress a bit with some dangle earrings or a few simple bracelets. These small accessories add a bit of sparkle to your outfit, instantly making it a bit more formal.
Find your perfect wedding guest dress at David's Bridal
From the beautiful flower bouquets to the gorgeous decor and twinkling lights, there’s something magical about witnessing a beautiful union between two loved ones. Whether getting married on a beach, at a catering hall, or in a rustic barn, the right wedding guest dress matches the occasion while making its own statement. Here’s how to find your dream guest dress:
- Fabric. You’ll find a variety of fabrics when you shop at David’s Bridal. From a silky satin to a smooth velvet or sparkles, the options are endless – and each one makes its own statement.
- Length. Choose between a mini, midi, or maxi dress for the wedding. For a black tie event you may want to opt for a maxi, whereas you can wear a mini or midi to a more casual venue.
- Silhouette. David’s Bridal offers plenty of options in A-line silhouettes, ball gowns, jumpsuits, mermaid, sheath, and separates. Pick the silhouette that makes you feel your best!
Shop guest to wedding dresses in sizes 0-30
David’s Bridal offers a variety of sizes to ensure you find the perfect fit. You can select your fit from junior dresses, to missy, plus, and petite. Our adult sizes range from 0 to 30, or XS to 5X.
David’s Bridal guest to wedding dress shipping options
When you’re ready to order your wedding guest dress at David’s Bridal, any order that’s over $175 comes with free standard shipping throughout the U.S. (except Alaska and Hawaii). Any of our wedding guest dresses can ship standard, expedited, and express to anywhere in the U.S. so you’ll be sure to get your dress on time. Head to the David’s Bridal Order FAQ page to learn more.
Guest to wedding dress tips and FAQs
How much do I spend on a wedding guest dress?
There is no specified amount for how much you should spend on a guest dress, except to buy the dress you want! On average, wedding guests spend roughly $80 on a new outfit for a wedding, but you may spend a little more or a little less depending on what you like.How do I know which size dress to get?
To find the perfect size for you, start with your undergarments. Put on whatever you plan to wear under your dress and grab a tape measure. Then, make sure that your measuring tape is not too tight or too loose around your body, and that it’s parallel to the floor. Measure the fullest part of your breast, smallest part of your waist, the widest part of your hips, and the length from the back of your neck to the floor. Once you have exact measurements, look at the dress’s specific size chart to find the best option.FAQs
Most brides try on about 4-7 dresses, and we really don't recommend trying on more than 10 unless you have truly hated every single one that you've put on! Typically, your stylist will start to narrow down what you do and don't like, leading you to find your perfect dress.
What dresses do guests wear to weddings? ›
Women wedding guests should wear full-length dresses, be it a ballgown, a sheath or an A-line dress. High heels are strongly recommended. Feel free to accessorize with opulent jewelry and even elbow-length white silk gloves.
How do you tell wedding guests what to wear? ›
You can include your Dress Code on the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation. Alternatively, the Dress Code can be placed at the bottom centre of the design.
What's the average number of dresses the bride tries on? ›
On average, brides try on about 4–7 dresses, but we recommend no more than 10. The more wedding gowns you try on, the more confusing things may get. When the bridal gown selection is too big, brides tend to get overwhelmed and struggle to remember what the first gown they tried on looked like.
How many dresses can you try on Say Yes to the dress? ›
In the format of the show, brides usually try on about three dresses which they show their entourage. This is because the show can only spend so much time on each dress, and they want to edit the story to present the most interesting narrative.
How many wedding dresses try on in 1 hour? ›
Usually brides are able to try on about 6-9 gowns during their appointment depending on their speed and decisiveness.
Is it OK to wear black to a wedding? ›
Luckily, times have changed, and given the fact that wedding fashion etiquette norms have shifted over the years, we now have good news for fans of coal-colored ensembles. “It is absolutely acceptable for a female to wear a black dress to a wedding,” Swann advises.
How should a casual guest dress for a wedding? ›
“Men in navy, cream, or white linens is great casual attire,” says Moinian. “For women, floral dresses are a great example as well for warmer weather.” In the fall, a casual suit (tie optional) or a blazer and dress pants, in a dark hue, are both appropriate options.
Do you wear the same dress to a wedding ceremony and reception? ›
Your wedding day is about you and your spouse. Wearing a formal dress all night can feel overwhelming, so having a separate reception dress allows you to feel confident and relaxed. It lets you express your unique personality on and off the dance floor.
Can I have bare legs at a wedding? ›
I have advised readers that while bare legs are fine even at the most formal events, hosiery also is perfectly acceptable as long as it's skin tone and sheer. I've just returned from a wedding where I wore my new bargain ($10!) black sequined mini and consignment store jeweled black shoes (also $10).
If you ask someone what the dress code at their office is, they'll generally give you one of four dress codes: business professional, business casual, smart casual or casual. There are some other in-between dress codes, but these four generally cover the spectrum of what your average American wears to work every day.
What is after 5 attire? ›
Men's semi-formal and co*cktail dress codes, also known as party and after-five attire, are for special events. Both call for a dressier, sophisticated look, but there are some differences. Semi-formal dressing is typically more reserved, focusing on darker colours such as grey, black and blue.
Is $3000 a lot for a wedding dress? ›
Generally, the average cost of a wedding gown is typically between $1,800 to $2,500. Off-the-rack gowns may be priced lower than $1,800, while more luxurious gowns can sometimes fall in the $3,000 to $8,000 range. Customized dresses can even cost up to $10,000.
Is it okay to try on wedding dresses for fun? ›
Yes, you can try on wedding dresses without committing to a purchase, but we don't recommend going into a bridal salon unless you're seriously looking for a gown.
How many is too many in a bridal party? ›
On average, North American brides have between three and five bridesmaids. Some have way, way more than that; others forgo the bridal party altogether. If you're considering going above average (six bridesmaids or more), make sure you take into consideration the effect that this will have on the rest of your wedding.
How many dresses can you try on at Kleinfeld? ›
You will not be limited to try on a certain number of dresses. Simply put, we are committed to having you try on as many gowns as needed within the duration of the appointment time.
How soon do you try on wedding dresses? ›
Typically, we suggest making your bridal dress appointments 9-12 months prior to your wedding date. This date is suggested with the goal of picking out and ordering a dress 8-9 months before the wedding. This gives you plenty of time to shop around and find the dress of your dreams.
How long should a bridal appointment be? ›
The Basics of Wedding Dress Appointment
Typically, bridal appointments will be about an hour and a half long. When you arrive for your appointment, you will meet with your consultant and discuss your big day!
What do I wear to a bridal dress appointment? ›
No shoes, barefoot or just socks
Having additional padding on top of the padding built into the dress, will alter the way the dress is supposed to fit your body. Wearing no bra or pasties is the best option. If you aren't comfortable with that, wearing a nude sticky bra with light padding is second best.
