Wedding season is in full swing! As we enter the warmer months, guests continue themselves the eternal question: once you’ve saved the date, what will you wear? Our editors ask themselves the same question. With summer wedding guest outfits as unique and varied as the individuals sporting them, our staffers have inspiration for any upcoming nuptials and all the festivities in between. Think rewearable chic black ensembles, dresses in shades of pink, bold prints, and statement earrings.
Whether you’re attending a black tie soirée, a cool-girl courthouse ceremony, or a countryside outdoor wedding calling for cocktail dresses, find inspiration below with 15 Vogue-approved summer wedding guest outfits, below.
How to Dress for a Wedding, Like a Vogue Editor:
- The Elegant Black Maxi: Abadia one-shoulder maxidress, $950
- The Summer Sandal: Larroudé Nadia sandals, $315
- The Halterneck Maxi: Paloma Wool Jay convertible halter maxidress, $370
- The Strappy Kitten Heel: Khaite Loop kitten heel sandals, $890
- The Silver Hoop: Completedworks silver hoop earrings, $195
- The Printed Pick: La DoubleJ Roy dress, $1,136
- The Drop Earring: Chan Luu drop earrings, $145
- The Fancy Flat: Manolo Blahnik Ballerimu satin mules, $465
- The Statement Earring: Jennifer Behr Zia mother-of-pearl earrings, $225
- The Pop of Pink: Staud Phare mididress, $695
Cortne Bonilla, senior shopping writer
When in doubt—wear black! I like taking the guesswork out of wedding guest dresses by going with a non-color-color that will offend no one. My go-to is a chic black dress that I can wear well beyond the festivities. Usually, for the summer, I’ll add warm-weather accessories and details, like a crochet pouch, beaded bag, or heeled thong sandals.
Madeline Fass, associate fashion director
I have a ton of weddings this year in many different destinations, one of which I am a bridesmaid for, so it’s safe to say I’ve done my fair share of dresses research! For the Spanish weddings I am attending, I am eyeing these effortlessly cool styles from Khaite and Abadia, while this LaDoubleJ number would be so much fun to wear to another wedding I have later this summer in Tuscany. Plus, these are the most comfortable kitten heel sandals and go with any dress and dress code, I tested them at this year’s Met Gala, where I stood on my feet for many hours!
Chloe Malle, editor, Vogue.com
According to Lauren Sherman the Tory Burch mirrors are the Miu Miu mini skirt of the season. Well, I wore the last version to my beloved Katherine Bernard’s wedding two years ago and have never been happier. Wearing one of the new colorways would be my ticket this season, what better way to enjoy an evening than dressing like a disco ball. I love a wedding flat and these Manolo ballet mules are perfect.
Libby Page, executive director, Vogue Shopping
For a summer wedding, I am all about a fluid, floaty silk dress of some kind. It’s been my summer wedding go-to and even though I know silk is not the easiest fabric, here I am years later still returning to that uniform. These styles are all updates and new takes on the summer slip dress. I love the neck ties, draping, color palette and that they’re all under $300.
Leah Faye Cooper, digital style director
While I rarely wear strapless dresses, I make an exception for summer weddings—when you don’t have sleeves to worry about, it’s so much easier to throw your hands in the air while dancing to “Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You).” No one makes a prettier strapless dress than Emilia Wickstead; I like to style them with bright, strappy heels, a great bag, and a bit of bling.
Naomi Elizée, fashion market director
When it comes to wedding style, I love things simple and chic! Temily is a brand that recently came on my radar, and I’m loving how this dress makes a statement with color and shape!
Lilah Ramzi-Goettemann, parties editor
As Vogue’s parties editor, I’ve amassed a closet full of ball gowns—many worn once and then retired like old debutantes. Normally, I dip into this archive for summer weddings, but as I’m currently expecting (a baby girl!), most of them are staging a silent protest when zipped.
I did manage to squeeze into this pink Emilia Wickstead number for the Met Gala, which felt like a sweet sartorial nod to the little one on the way. I suspect I’ll be rewearing it for any weddings this season—if it still fits! If not, here are a few dresses that have caught my eye and could rise to the occasion.
Elise Taylor, senior lifestyle writer
This flowy cornflower blue dress from Delphine is easy to dress up or dress down—pair it with some high heels and statement jewelry for a more formal occasion, or with sandals and a raffia clutch for a beach affair. I’m planning to do both this summer as I attend weddings in New York City and Maine.
Concetta Ciarlo, beauty commerce writer
Much to all of society’s shagrin, I’m just not a wedding-loving girlie…whoops! While they’re not my social gathering of choice, I am, however, happy for any of my friends and their special life moments—and hitting my late 20s has meant a sudden burst of back-to-back summer weddings. When shopping for wedding guest attire, I commit to one rule and one rule only: anything I buy must be rewearable in my everyday life.
Kasey Busiel, marketing & production manager
I’m attending three weddings this August, so I’m on the hunt for breezy, stylish pieces that can beat the summer heat without compromising my personal style. This soft pink Staud dress is a standout—light, bright, and effortlessly chic. I’m pairing it with a playful touch: the floral-adorned Jimmy Choo Satin Tote Bag. To complete the look, simple metallic heels and silver accessories add just the right amount of polish.
Alexandra Ditch, associate commerce producer
Now that I am preparing for my own wedding, I find being a guest all the more exciting. This silky Simkhai number will be perfect for the summer nuptials on my calendar—the draping and low back add the perfect touch of elegance. These Jimmy Choo heels will provide just the right amount of height, while hopefully allowing me to dance the night away. I’ll be topping off the look with gold details, including this tennis bracelet and nautical clutch.
Florence O’Connor, associate content manager, Vogue.com
I have officially entered the “wedding” season of my life so I’m being very particular with the pieces I invest in for the various occasions that accompany everyone I know getting married! I fell in love with this St. Agni dress as it is incredibly chic while still being easy to transition for a fall wedding with the correct accessories. Speaking of which, I love a fun accessory to jazz up a wedding guest outfit so I will be pairing this dress with a chunky necklace, heels I can dance in all night, and a clutch that resembles a basket (my favorite summer accessory!)
Taylor Anderson, associate manager, social media
There’s nothing better than a summer wedding! While most dresses lead with bold color and prints, I cannot help but still be drawn to my typical style, which leans minimal. This gown from Retrofête caught my eye as it plays into the butter yellow trend without being too close to white! To complement the look, I found some beach-ready accessories.
Sam Ravin, community manager, Vogue app
I love a classic black gown for a wedding, even in the summer. Conveniently, I have a black-tie wedding next month where all guests are asked to wear black! I’m debating between two looks: The first is a gorgeous L’Academie dress with a suiting-style, almost neoprene-like bodice and a long satin skirt. The structure makes me feel unbelievably confident every time I put it on. The second is a recent (and affordable!) find from Show Me Your Mumu: a sleek black maxi with gorgeous, draped shoulder details and adjustable straps. It’s super comfortable and refreshingly no-fuss. Whichever I go with, I’ll style it with a gold bracelet with a bit of sparkle like this one from Melinda Maria, minimal black heels, and a simple, structured black clutch.
Arden Fanning Andrews, beauty editor at large
Azeeza is my favorite for wedding season! This Pooja mini dress is such a great price for her line and has just the right amount of coverage thanks to its drapey-in-the-right-way design that can even be worn to a summer wedding inside a cathedral (I have!) without feeling too exposed. Also, she was so ahead of our butter love this season, I want to try the chiffon-y Bria dress in lemon and see if I can finally live my fantasy as a brunette who just throws on a yellow sundress and looks cool.
