What to Wear to a Wedding: 11 Wedding-Guest Outfit Formulas You Can Always Rely On

Wedding season is approaching, which means we've already begun mentally riffling through our wardrobes to answer the age-old question: What to wear to a wedding? Whether you’ve received your first wedding invitation or your 100th, the one thing that's always top of mind is sorting out your wedding guest outfit.

These days, it seems like the scope for weddings has seriously broadened. Where once upon a time there was a pretty classic wedding guest dress template to follow, nowadays, couples are seizing the opportunity to have a wedding that truly matches their personality. (Case in point, the bride and groom who opted for a backyard ceremony, white Cecilie Bahnsen dress and ballet flats for their South London wedding. And that means the rules of wedding guest attire are evolving, too.

Still, we all have to walk that fine line when it comes to deciding what to wear to a wedding. We want to look striking, somewhat fun, but still appropriate. We want to make sure we’re properly dressed for the setting—an outfit you’d wear to a destination beach wedding is not likely to be the same one you’d wear to a grand English countryside affair, (Bridebook states 39% of Millennials and Gen Z couples plan rustic-style weddings, including having a barn or farmhouse as their wedding venue) or Indian Wedding.

We want to take the opportunity to dress up, without making any wedding faux pas. (And just to confirm, you can wear red to a wedding, but we'd always recommend taking some caution.)We have to take seasons, dress codes and comfort into account, too. Practical aspects may not be the first thing that comes to mind when shopping for a wedding guest outfit, but it's certainly something to account for.

So, what does one actually wear to a wedding when there are so many elements to consider, let alone still look chic?

For transitional months, opt for sleeved styles (such as the blouson offerings below) or a classy throw-on (a scarf or blazer, for example) to keep you warm during the ceremony. The chances are you'll whip it off just before gracing the dance floor. Seasons will also factor into the colours you choose to wear, in conjunction with the dress code, of course.

There are some more upbeat, saturated colour ways spotted during winter wedding guest season, while summer weddings always see an influx of gorgeous floral prints and slinky cuts.

There are a few more basic ground rules worth referencing before rushing to the big day in a blush dress panic, and we’ve broken them down with some simple, foolproof outfit ideas that will ensure you’re the best-dressed guest at all manner of nuptials. From the trusty classics to the modern styles that push back against old-fashioned conventions and even the failsafe wedding guest dress brands, consider this your guide on what to wear to a wedding, no matter how big or small.

What to Wear to a Wedding: 11 Wedding Guest Outfit Ideas

1. Romantic Silhouettes

Style Notes: A wedding is the perfect time to embrace the romance of vintage-inspired silhouettes. Think puffy sleeves, Bridgerton-worthy corseting and voluminous skirts. This works particularly well if you're at a countryside wedding. If your dress has a bold shape, keep the accessories minimal—sleek strappy sandals and a minimalist bag will do the trick.

Shop the Wedding Guest Look:

2. Bold Colours

Style Notes: Take weddings as the opportunity to embrace dopamine dressing and opt for a bold colour. Pastels like powder pink, pale blue, lavender and butter yellow look set to be popular choices this year. Pro tip? Try and find out what the bridesmaids are wearing so you don't accidentally end up looking like part of the wedding party.

Shop the Wedding Guest Look:

3. A Black Dress—Yes, Really

Style Notes: The modern world has ushered in many wonderful changes, and right now the one I'm most grateful for is the acceptance of wearing a black dress to a wedding. Black once was the mark of doom and gloom, but now it's an undeniably chic wedding dress option, particularly for city nuptials.

Shop the Wedding Guest Look:

4. Brown Gowns

Style Notes: If you typically gravitate to black pieces but can't get over the worry that it just won't be appropriate for the upcoming wedding, brown is a brilliant alternative. This season, there are plenty of tempting styles to choose from.

Shop the Wedding Guest Look:

5. Floral Prints

Style Notes: When it comes to prints, florals are a failsafe wedding guest option. From ditsy florals to maximalist prints—there's sure to be a joyful design for you. Thankfully for Type B dressers, there is always a plethora of beautiful florals across the high street at brands like Realisation Par, Reformation or Faithfull, like this stunning piece seen on India Cardona.

Shop the Wedding Guest Look:

6. Slip Style

Style Notes: Another reliable wedding guest dress is the trusty slip dress. This slinky style can be mixed and matched with so many different accessories to create fresh outfits. I personally love pairing one with a relaxed blazer and kitten heels.

Shop the Wedding Guest Look:

7. Match the Setting

Style Notes: When it comes to a destination wedding, it's important to embrace the setting by opting for fabrics, colours and styles that look completely well-suited to the environment. For a beach wedding, a bohemian-style maxi dress is a great bet, while nuptials in a grand estate in France call for something much more sophisticated.

Shop Wedding Guest Look:

8. A Tailored Look

Style Notes: Dresses just not your thing? Don't worry—a sleek, tailored silhouette is a gorgeous, fashion-forward alternative. A strapless number like a jumpsuit is perfect for a city wedding, but for something more traditional, opt for a sleeved style.

Shop Wedding Guest Look:

9. Flat Footwear

Style Notes: Accessories are your wedding season best friend—after all, a few clever swaps can make your go-to wedding guest dress feel brand new again. Footwear is perhaps the trickiest part to figure out, as you need something that you'll be comfortable in all day and night. Luckily, this year low-to-the-ground footwear like strappy ballet flats and flip flops are at the top of the fashion charts, and as Bettina Looney proves, is more than polished enough to work for wedding attire.

Shop the Wedding Guest Look:

10. All That Glitters Is Gold

Style Notes: The reign of polka dots and stripes has brought these once-believed-to-be surly prints back into the fold. But if you're still hesitant about the place of patterns in your wardrobe, using embroidered details is another way to elevate your look. Glistening sequins can do so much to dress up more timeless silhouettes and make you feel soirée-ready—perfect for weddings where the ceremony flows right into the reception and cocktail hour.

Shop the Wedding Guest Look:

11. Fringe Benefits

Style Notes: Another design element to consider when deciding what to wear to a wedding is adding a touch of playfulness. Bows, ruffles and glittering trims are all worthy options, but to make your outfit more on trend for 2025, try embracing the fringed look. Mango's summer collection is filled with chic satin styles accented with brocade fabric and finished with tassels, if you're in need of a starting point.

Shop the Wedding Guest Look:

Why Trust Us?

At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.

We regularly try pieces ourselves, everything from bestselling jeans to designer shoes, speak to external experts and fashion insiders and stay closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise and has to pass our exceptional taste levels—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.