Wedding Guest Dresses

When you’re choosing a dress for the event, the most important thing to keep in mind is the dress code. Wedding guest dress cocktail options are going to look different than dresses meant for a black tie wedding. If you’re not sure about the dress code, our guide on wedding guest attire breaks down the most popular wedding dress codes and gives you some inspiration along the way.

If you’re shopping for a dress that you can wear to a few weddings through the next couple of event seasons, you’ll want to keep timelessness and versatility in mind. You’ll want to gravitate toward more formal looks and colors that look effortless during springtime ceremonies and fall receptions alike.

From formal wedding guest dresses to playful looks perfect for a summer afternoon, Sherri Hill’s 2026 collection of wedding guest dresses has your perfect look.

Light Wedding Guest Dresses

Many spring wedding guest dresses feature light-colored tones like pinks, blues, lilac, and yellow (butter yellow, particularly, has been a trending wedding guest color the last few seasons!) Flowy silhouettes in lighter colors are breezy, perfect choices for cocktail dress code weddings, whereas a dress with more structure, like look 57938, adds elevation to a pastel color palette.

When you’re choosing a light-colored wedding guest dress, one of the most important things to note is how light the color is. Traditionally, you don’t want to wear white or any color too close to it if the bride or someone in the wedding couple is wearing it, so stay away from ultra-light colors.

Prints with a white background are generally seen as okay, but use your judgment and get a second opinion if necessary. If you’re really not sure, you may want to go with a different dress.

Dark Wedding Guest Dresses

Wedding guest formal dresses tend to be in darker colors like deep purple, navy, and, of course, classic black. Black used to be an unpopular choice for a wedding, but the stigma of wearing it has mostly worn off, and it’s now a pretty popular choice. However, if the wedding organizer asks you not to wear black, opt for a different color.

If the invitation calls for cocktail attire, wedding guest dresses elegant enough for semi-formal settings often include deeper jewel-toned colors and a bit of understated glamour, like some shimmering sequin accents. Dark colors or rich jewel tones, like dress 54923, are also perfect as wedding guest dresses winter options.

Keep the boldness of your dress in mind when choosing a jewel-toned or brighter option. While red isn’t generally a taboo color to wear to a wedding anymore (unless the couple is wearing red), you don’t want to look like you’re trying to draw attention to yourself. Stick with muted versions of brights like pink, red, or orange; you can’t go wrong with a burgundy or terra cotta.

Short Wedding Guest Dresses

Short wedding guest dresses are great for afternoon ceremonies that aren’t too formal (for an evening ceremony, or a more formal dress code, you’ll want to go longer). Many summer wedding guest dresses offer a shorter hemline; check out our guide on dressing for a summer cocktail attire dress code for more tips.

Mini wedding guest dresses offer a sense of playfulness and can be easier to dance in at the reception and afterparty. When choosing your shoes, be aware that they’ll be on display, and definitely make sure you can dance in them well before the big night so that you won’t have to skip the dance party.

When choosing a shorter wedding guest dress, you may want to balance the hemline with a more conservative neckline to maintain elegance and sophistication. You may also want to go with a darker color like style 57276 if the ceremony’s in the evening.

Long Wedding Guest Dresses

Most dresses for a wedding guest will be long because of the formality of most wedding ceremonies, though the time of year also matters. When looking for wedding guest dresses fall or winter styles, you’ll almost certainly be looking at longer dresses in darker colors; spring or summer weddings typically call for longer dresses in lighter colors and flowy fabrics.

For most wedding dress codes, a maxi wedding guest dress can be A-line in shape, or it can be more figure-hugging, like dress 57973. You don’t want your dress to be too voluminous unless the organizers specifically ask for this, or you risk upstaging the nearly-wed couple on their big day.

If the dress code is semi-casual but you still want to go with a long dress, opt for prints like florals to bring down the formality of a long dress. You can also go with less formal accessories like block or wedge heels (perfect for an outdoor ceremony) or a wicker clutch bag.