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
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 do you word the dress code for a wedding? ›
Traditional wedding attire wording:
- Black tie (tuxedos and formal gowns)
- Formal, black tie optional (suit and tie and dresses)
- Semi-formal (suit and tie and co*cktail dresses)
- co*cktail attire (suits and party dresses)
- Beach or garden party attire (summer suits and summer dresses)
It doesn't have to be extra
Many brides only visit one store, try on 5-8 dresses, and bring along 1-2 guests. Of course every bride is different, but finding your dress doesn't have to be complicated. Keep it simple, research the store you want to visit beforehand, and really consider who you're bringing.
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.
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 do you tell guests about dress code? ›
Put It on the Invitation
The simplest way to tell your guests what they're expected to wear is to put a dress code in the invitation. There is a time-honored glossary of dress-code wording short enough to include on invitations, or on a card inserted with the invitation.
What is the most common dress code for a wedding? ›
Black Tie Dress Code
This is probably the most common of the formal wedding dress codes, and again, the name refers to menswear, specifically a tuxedo worn, in any colour, with a black tie.
What is the color code for wedding guest dress? ›
If you're looking for something classic and timeless, dark colors like navy blue or black are always appropriate. For a more glamorous look, pastels such as lavender, light pink, or pale blue will add a touch of elegance to your outfit.
How do you say dress code on an invitation? ›
Here are a few examples.
- "Is there a dress code?" ...
- "Are there any styles or colors you'd prefer me to wear?" ...
- White-Tie Attire. ...
- Black-Tie Attire. ...
- Black-Tie Optional Attire. ...
- Formal Attire. ...
- co*cktail Attire. ...
- Semi-Formal Attire or Dressy Casual Attire.
All clothing should be clean, ironed and in good shape. Refrain from wearing clothes that have tears, rips or holes, even if it is the current fashion. All employees should maintain an acceptable level of bodily hygiene to ensure that interactions with other staff and clients remain positive and pleasant.
Not all nuptials are black-tie affairs, and you want to ensure your attire as a wedding guest is appropriate for the occasion. If a dress code isn't specified on the wedding invitation, you can generally gauge the type of soirée — and, therefore, how to dress for the wedding — based on the reception venue.
Who normally goes to wedding dress shopping? ›
Traditionally, the mother of the bride, sisters, and the closest friend (or friends) are involved in the dress hunt. Your future mother-in-law can be invited, too, if you're tight with her and you want her to take part.
Is it common to go wedding dress shopping alone? ›
While it may sound a little unorthodox, our consultants actually recommend it! “Shopping alone is not for everyone, but for those who know what they want, or for a bride that's more mature, shopping by yourself can be a more effective and efficient way of making a decision,” says seasoned Kleinfeld consultant, Lisa.
How many months before your wedding should you go dress shopping? ›
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.
What to expect at a bridal appointment? ›
Bridal appointments tend to last about an hour which is usually more than enough time for you to try on a wide selection of bridal gowns and to get a good feel of what you do and don't like. Don't feel rushed and like you have to make a decision there and then.
How many dresses should a bride have? ›
Two dresses for the wedding are already standard for most brides – one for the registry office and one for the church or free wedding ceremony. The possibilities are endless and there are no limits to individuality. For every budget there are many alternatives now.
How long before wedding should 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 before a wedding should you try on dresses? ›
According to our most recent WED2B Wedding Survey the majority of brides shop for their wedding dress between nine and 18 months before their wedding day. So, about a year before the big day is the perfect time to start having some dress shopping fun…
