Spring Wedding Guest Outfits Ideas

Spring is a popular season for weddings, and if you’ve been invited to some upcoming nuptials, thankfully there’s no shortage of fabulous dresses to choose from that fit both the season and the occasion perfectly. No matter your personal style, body shape, or preferred colour, Femme Connection has a range of gorgeous spring dresses that will have you looking gorgeous at every wedding, without eclipsing the bride!

The guest dress rules

When considering what to wear to a wedding, it’s always wise to peek into the invite for any dress code hints, and be mindful of the venue and the couple's vibe. Aside from that, here are some general pointers to keep in mind when picking your outfit.

First off, it’s always best to avoid stealing the bride's thunder on the day, so put aside any white dresses, (or anything close to white). Also, avoid dress styles that look overly bridal. (If you’re heading to a same-sex wedding where there’s no bride, you can drop those two rules.) And so you don’t get mistaken for a bridesmaid, avoid whatever colour they’ll be dressed in—if you can find out ahead of time!

While we're at it, it’s customary to avoid wearing super flashy and revealing stuff to weddings, but you do you! Oh, and about that old "no black at weddings" rule? Feel free to break it if you've got a killer black dress you love.

Finally, it’s a wedding. If you happen to commit a fashion faux-pas on the day, it likely won’t cause a stir. The bridal party will have plenty of other things to be preoccupied with, so just relax and have fun!

Now that we’ve covered ‘the rules’, let’s move onto choosing dresses. Our basic recommendations when picking a guest outfit for a wedding is to focus on feeling comfortable as wedding celebrations can run for a long time, and to go for an outfit that flatters you and that you feel good in. You don’t want to have doubts about what you’re wearing on the day. Thankfully, the dresses we’ve chosen should meet all those requirements!

The ‘Upmarket’ Dress

While all the dress options we will suggest offer a touch of class, sometimes you just want something you know will look sufficiently formal to fit in, no matter the type of wedding you are attending. Generally speaking, a midi to maxi length dress is an easy solution, as there are plenty of options available that will ensure you’re comfortable during all the day’s festivities, whilst looking sophisticated.

So here are a few no-fuss, formal-occasion dresses that are inherently classy, but aren’t overly embellished. The other bonus with these stylish dresses is that you can wear them beyond weddings. They’ll look perfect at dinners, nights at the theatre, end of year work parties and so on!

The Antonia Pleated Tiered Maxi Dress is one such example of your high-end dress. In essence, it’s a knee-length dress, but the sheer tiered pleats over the top bring the dress to maxi length. The see-through tulle fabric means your legs are on show, but not the centre of attention. With a flattering V-neckline, long sheer sleeves and belted waist with buckle, this dress offers a classic 1940s look with contemporary fun thrown in via the glittery fabric and the twirl-ability of the tulle layers (hello dancefloor!). This one’s available in black, teal and plum, so hop to it before it disappears!

To take you through from an afternoon ceremony to an evening reception, this lustrous Lexie Crossover Satin Midi Dress is an absolute winner for all body shapes. The dress cinches high at the waistline then drops gently into loose gathered pleats. There’s no tightness around the belly, which is ideal when you’re facing a long day, and potentially, a sit down dinner. The wrap style is super flattering and the crossover skirt allows for ease of movement. The solid navy blue print in silky satin makes for a very classy look. This one requires little styling. Just add your favourite heels and delicate clutch or shoulder purse. You could consider a belt at the waist, but the dress is fine without it. A loose hairdo and some delicate drop earrings will top it all off! Snap this one up before it disappears!

This Kennedy Wrap Front Pleated Velvet Midi Dress tops the list when it comes to glamour gowns to wear to a spring wedding. Made in Italy, this dress harks back to those draping styles favoured by the starlets of the Golden Age of Hollywood. With a rich and sumptuous velvet fabric, elegant long puff sleeves with cuffs, divine pleats on one side and a wrap style with loop belt detail, this dress is a stunner! Available in purple and black, we know this dress will be a sell out.

Florals!

We’re talking about spring weddings here! What better way to sing spring than wearing floral prints? Whether it’s an exotic hibiscus flower print in a bright pink hue, or a small daisy print with dainty petals, any floral print works.

For a whimsical and dainty look, this Floral Skater Dress is a definite contender. Its classic vintage shape and A-line shirt means it will flatter most figures. It has a V-neckline with low darted bust, but boasts an underlayer that keeps you covered. The skirt is fabulously floaty, and the stretchy removable belt cinches the waist in a flattering, yet comfortable way. Wear this one with some strappy heels. If you want to elongate your legs, opt for heels in a lighter shade, like tan or cream.

If you prefer a bolder look, this Kylie Floral Cold Shoulder Dress with red digital flower print is a tasteful option. With a fitted inner short dress with a slight stretch to the fabric, the dress features gorgeous sheer cold-shoulder sleeves and an asymmetrical hem at the front—it’s a little like a dress and cape combined. As you move, the sleeves swing about, making for an ethereal look. Team it with teardrop earrings, strappy heels and a classy shoulder purse!

Finally for florals, this Denver Floral Ruffle Hem Hi Low Dress is the perfect staple for a spring day wedding. This dress is decidedly pretty, with its pastel pink flower print, short flounce sleeves, tiered skirt, and ruffle hi-low hem. Wear it with strappy heels in a light hue, or platforms if you want to add height.

Knee-length frocks

Whilst there are shorter dresses out there, it’s generally advised to not go too short when you’re a wedding guest, lest you offend the great-grandparents! The following options are perfectly conservative, whilst still looking stylish and sassy. They’ll also keep your legs cool if the spring wedding day is a little warm.

This Mae Micro Pleat Wrap Dress in emerald green is literally the simplest dress to wear! With a wrap style and an easy tie at the side, you can comfortably kick back at the reception. The micro pleat fabric offers that little extra stretch wherever you need it, and the long sleeves are soft, with loose elastic cuffs. Wear with strappy or suede closed-toe heels. Some art-deco drop earrings would look fabulous with this dress.

This Trudy Sleeveless Ribbon Detail Dress is certainly unique. With a hint of the ballet dress, this frock has a cute flared skirt that will work wonders on the wedding reception dance floor, plus a gorgeous ribbon sash. The mesh fabric on the dress includes contrasting ribbon panels that will draw comments. Wear this one with evening heels and a sweet clutch.

The glitzy dress

As we mentioned earlier, there’s a general rule of thumb that says you shouldn’t wear anything too dazzling to someone else’s wedding. The bride must shine the brightest, so sequins and sparkles have historically been out of the question. But these days, some couples ask guests to dress in their most glittery frocks for their weddings, particularly if there’s a rocking after party planned!

So, if you’re lucky enough to be invited to such a do, we’ve thrown some sparkling party frocks into the mix. (These could also work wonderfully for hen’s nights.)

The Felicia Crossover Glitter Dress offers subtle glitz, with glitter detail in its fabric. Its wrap style and cinched, pleated waist make this dress very easy to wear. Style with evening heels for that formal elegant feel. Throw a faux fur jacket over the top for a funky yet fancy overall look.

Another flash contender is this Sequin Short Dress, replete with lightning bolt embellishments! This fitted and lined dress is super glam and would look great at an evening wedding cocktail party, or at the bride’s favourite bar or club on hen’s night. Wear with strappy heels or comfy heeled boots. Add jewellery if you wish, but the dress does the work already.

We hope you love these wedding guest dress ideas. Just remember, this day is about celebrating someone else’s special day, so the most important thing when attending a wedding day is to enjoy the event, be comfortable, and don’t worry about whether or not you’re wearing the right or wrong thing!