20 Affordable and Stylish Wedding Guest Dresses (2024)

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• What To Look For

• FAQ

• Why Trust Brides

There's truly nothing more elegant and sophisticated than a black floor-length gown. This one from Lulus retails for just under $90 but looks just as luxurious and polished as other high-end brands.

Size Range: XXS-XL | Material: Polyester | Length: Floor-length

This cheery floral maxi dress will quickly become your go-to outfit for destination weddings, seaside nuptials, and casual backyard gatherings. We especially love the ruffled trim and bow accents on the sleeves.

Size Range: XS-XL | Material: Polyester | Length: Ankle-length

All eyes will be on you in this seriously sexy number designed with a body-hugging silhouette, criss-cross back, and daring front slit. Add shoulder-grazing earrings and a pair of pumps to complete your jaw-dropping look.

Size Range: XXS-XL | Material: Polyester, Elastane | Length: Floor-length

You'll stun from every angle in this adorable mini dress designed with voluminous sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. Sweep your hair up to showcase all of the pretty pink details.

Size Range: 0-16 | Material: Polyester | Length: Mini-length

This floral dress is as sweet as ever for a spring or summer wedding. The whimsical floral print makes for stunning photos and the elegant tiered skirt design will keep will twirl effortlessly with you on the dance floor.

Size Range: XXS-XL | Material: Polyester | Length: Floor-length

Slip dresses are elegant and timeless and work for just about every type of dress code. This iteration is stunning in a soft green hue and would pair beautifully with both simple or statement-making accessories.

Size Range: XS-4XL | Material: Polyetster | Length: Calf-length

Spring weddings call for dresses in soothing and flattering pastel hues like this pretty lilac design. Elegant pin-thin straps, a draped bodice, and a sexy side slit set this pastel beauty apart from the rest.

Size Range: XS-XL | Material: Polyester | Length: Calf-length

No matter what type of wedding you’re attending, you can never go wrong with a little black dress. We love the tunic twist on this satin number from Zara, which can easily be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

Size Range: XS-L | Material: Viscose | Length: Ankle-length

A yellow lace mini dress is a fun and bright option for a daytime wedding and looks particularly striking in photos. The halter neckline and darted bodice are especially flattering. Pair yours with strappy sandals or espadrilles.

Size Range: XS-XL | Material: XXX | Length: Above knee-length

How stunning is this bright green number from Petal + Pup? The strapless neckline and side cut-outs add a fun flair while the elastic waistband and loose-fitting skirt create a comfortable wedding ensemble.

Size Range: 0-12 | Material: Linen, polyester, viscose, cotton | Length: Ankle-length

This rust brown hue couldn't be more perfect for a fall wedding, and the one-shoulder beauty boasts a flattering fit thanks to its fully ruched design. We picture this with simple block heels and a matching clutch for an effortlessly chic look.

Size Range: XS-XL | Material: Nylon, Spandex | Length: Ballerina-length

Meet the Expert

Sarah Pinner is the CEO and co-founder of Beni, an easy-to-use Chrome extension that finds the best resale alternatives of your favorite styles from online retailers–so shoppers can find affordable fashion with the click of a button.

FAQ

• How can I style a simple wedding guest dress?

  "I usually focus on a fun hair accessory or piece of jewelry to liven up a staple outfit," Pinner says. "I also like to shop my own (or my friend’s) closets for accessories. I wore a pair of my grandma’s earrings to a wedding I attended recently and got a ton of compliments on them!"

  
  She also adds, "Another suggestion is to invest in a special handbag for weddings and specific events. I have a sparkly clutch that is definitely not practical for everyday life but it goes with many styles and elevates my outfit for a special occasion."

  
  "When it comes to shoes, I have one pair of [tan] heels and one pair of black heels. No one has ever remembered my shoes, so that’s not where I invest–plus, I end up taking them off to dance the night away anyways!"

• Where can I find affordable wedding guest dresses?

  "Queenly, Rent The Runway, Vestiaire Collective, and The RealReal are my favorite resale and rental sites to find high-quality dresses for less," Pinner says. "Sometimes I will go straight to these sites, and other times I will shop on popular online brands like Lulus or Aritzia and then use Beni to find more affordable options."

• What do wedding guests wear to a black-tie wedding?

  A black-tie dress code calls for formal attire. Traditionally, wedding guests will wear floor-length gowns or tuxedos to a black-tie wedding. Fortunately, there are many affordable formal gowns that are appropriate for black-tie events–such as the Superdown Sherry Slit Maxi. "Affordable doesn’t need to mean low quality," Pinner points out.

• What colors should a wedding guest avoid wearing?

  As a general rule of thumb, it's best to avoid any color that may resemble the bride's wedding outfit like white, cream, ivory, and beige. You may also want to check what color the bridal party is wearing ahead of time, so you can opt for a separate shade or print.

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