14 Unique Wedding Guest Dresses To Survive A Summer Ceremony In Style

There’s nothing quite like a spring-summer wedding. The florals are blooming, the Aperol spritzes are flowing, and you’ve already stress-Googled “summer wedding guest dress with sleeves” and “sheer cut-outs wedding – okay?” twenty times, realising you’ve probably spent more time thinking about your outfit than the bride has. Like first dates and job interviews, shopping for a spring-summer wedding guest dress presents specific fashion challenges.

You want something that feels romantic, polished and “you” without tipping into “did I just upstage the bride?” territory. And of course, it needs to be breathable without being overly revealing (if your friends’ or your own grandparents are in attendance, things can get awkward fast).

That said, you want your look to be pretty flattering. There’s always the chance of running into an ex, or your next ex. Some wedding rules never change, while others you can bend depending on the couple’s vibe.

One rule that hasn’t changed? Wearing white is a faux pas. Even if it’s a cream slip dress from that Scandi label that looks so chic with a raffia clutch, someone will take issue with it. The bride has a monopoly on ivory for the day, whether she chooses to exercise it or not. Then, there’s the question of comfort. Weddings are marathons, not sprints. You’ll be clinking glasses at 2 pm, queuing for the bathroom at 8 pm, and attempting to catch the bouquet at midnight. Your dress needs to go the distance.

Which brings us to the ultimate fashion crime: the boring block-colour palettes that dominate “formal” dresses. Nothing wrong with a minimalist shift in theory, but when the bridal party is head-to-toe in pastel chiffon, and the guests are decked out in primary hues, the photos destined for Instagram (and family albums) can start to resemble an impressionist painting—high on blobs of colour, low on detail. A painterly print, a floral in an unexpected shade, or a hint of texture, whether it’s velvet, diamantes, or lace, will always add personality.

ELLE’s Edit Of The Best Spring-Summer Wedding Guest Dresses In Australia

Best Halterneck: With Jean, Romony Dress, $169
Best Longsleeve: Zimmermann, Hypnotic Lace Trim Mini Dress,$1600
Best Floral: Leo Lin, Rayna Dress, $999

So what works? For daytime ceremonies in the sun, consider a maxi dress in a fluid fabric that moves with the breeze or a print that feels interesting. If you’re prone to overheating, a mini dress with puffed sleeves keeps things playful while still being wedding-appropriate. And if you’re a pale princess, a wedding guest dress with sleeves can be a godsend.

Most of all, if you’re shopping for a dress for a specific wedding, we recommend buying something you can picture yourself wearing again.

Below, we’ve rounded up the dresses we’d happily wear to any summer soiree, nuptial or otherwise.