Dresses to Wear to a Wedding, A Wedding Guest Primer

Don’t let a fridge covered in save-the-dates from your cousin, your best friend, your work wife and your partner’s second-something-once-removed get you down. Rather than puzzling over vague, Pinterest-inspired dress codes or despairing as you mentally calculate the cost of your mandated Morocco trip, remember this: how often do you get to dance with all your friends at the same time? When will you have another excuse to network with your friend’s aunt who used to manage Beyoncé? Weddings are a time for love, for joy, for not losing your mind over what you’re going to wear, pack, spend. When shopping for dresses to wear to a wedding, we’re all aware of the general guidelines. Namely: (1) Don’t wear white, ecru, eggshell, milk, mother-of-pearl or any one of the Eskimo’s 50 synonyms for snow. (2) Keep your hemlines respectable. (3) Don’t upstage the bride. (4) Don’t wear a dress that could get you mistaken for a member of the bridal party. And (5) — this one’s especially tricky — follow the dress code. If you’re lost, do not be ashamed to ask the maid of honor for a second opinion. Also, don’t forget to dress for yourself. You’re not going to have fun if you spend the whole day feeling as if you’re wearing a costume that doesn’t suit you. In the interest of totally alleviating your wedding guest dress-shopping stress, we went and found 20 wedding-appropriate dresses, one for every type of nuptials-centric gathering imaginable, be it a fancy dinner, a boho blowout in sunny Ojai, an over-the-top black-tie affair, or anything in between. Click through the gallery above for an expert roundup of dresses to wear to a wedding, complete with occasion-specific shopping tips for any not satisfied with the selection at hand. Consider this an advanced class in dresses for wedding guests. We’ll call it What to Wear to a Wedding: 301.

Dresses to Wear to a Wedding

The Daytime Wedding

YAS Ruffle Lace Skater Dress, $160 at Topshop

A daytime wedding is a great reason to wear a bright, festive dress. While this long-sleeved midi is fairly modest, the sheerness and ruffles keep it youthful. Pair it with colorful statement earrings and metallic heels.
The Garden Party Wedding

Mes Desmoiselles Surinam Gathered Silk-Blend Lamé Maxi Dress, $460 at Net-a-Porter

This gold maxi dress would make anyone feel like a goddess. Plus, set against a backdrop of flowers, it'll get you all the Instagram likes. Keep your footwear neutral and flat — garden party weddings mean treading on soil, and sinking heels are a total buzzkill.
The Low-Key Wedding

Ganni Flynn Stretch-Lace Turtleneck Dress, $190 at Net-a-Porter

So, your friends who can't stomach tulle are holding a low-key (but still fancy) dinner, renting out their favorite bar, what have you? This pretty stretch-lace sheath dress will ensure you look hot/appropriate without upstaging the bride. Take a cue from Net-a-Porter's stylists and wear it with fuchsia heels. We love a pop of color.
The Ever-So-Popular Moroccan Wedding

Caravana Yatzil Asymmetric Leather-Trimmed Cotton Maxi Dress, $300 at Net-a-Porter

Your invite to Hannah Bronfman's seven-dress shindig may have gotten lost in the mail, but chances are at least one of your pals is saying their I Dos in Morocco. Suddenly and all at once, the (at least somewhat) monied and affianced have realized that Islamic architecture, mosaics, incredible rugs and endless deserts make for A-plus wedding pictures. (No arguments here.) This luxe, lightweight maxi dress will not only complement your surroundings, it'll make sitting through a ceremony in the scorching hot sun much easier.
The College Friend's Wedding

Zara Floral Print Kimono, $89.90 at Zara

For a college friend's wedding, don't go too crazy. It's a truth universally acknowledged that all your ex-classmates tend to marry around the same time, which means (a) you can't repeat dresses and (b) your "dresses to wear to a wedding" budget is going to be particularly steep that season. Hit up Zara for something affordable, elegant and fashion-forward that you can repurpose for dates, work dinners, etc.
The Person-You-Used-To-Date's Wedding

Topshop Unique Lambeth Cutout Silk-Jacquard Midi Dress, $325 at Net-a-Porter

This navy Topshop dress is perfect for any wedding, really. With subtle matte and satin panels and an expertly tied waist-cinching belt, it's fresh-feeling and eons away from your standard satin mini. Plus, the thigh-high slit and peekaboo shoulder add a touch of not-even-trying sex appeal, which'll give you a slight confidence boost for the (not to be reductive, but probably at least a little awkward) occasion.
The Relative-Packed Wedding

Eva Franco Sara Embroidered Dress, $198 at Anthropologie

On the opposite end of the spectrum, no need to rock thigh-high slits amongst those who saw you in diapers. Nor should you dress as if you've just joined a convent. Dress for yourself, always. This embroidered, mesh paneled dress toes the line between cool and conservative.
The (Conservative) Work People Wedding

COS Dress With Cocoon Skirt, $135 at COS

There's a zero percent chance you're getting drunk and a 50 percent chance something work-related will come up and you'll have to zip to the office. Reach for a simple, minimalist dress, dial it up with metallic shoes and some fanciful earrings and you're good to go, whatever that entails.
The Black Tie Wedding

Solace London One-Shoulder Stretch-Crepe Gown, $360 at Net-a-Porter

For an over-the-top fancy wedding, look for a simple, one-shoulder number without the bells and whistles. When you're throwing down upwards of $300, you'll want a gown that's timeless and easy to style; something you can wear again and again.
The Black Tie Wedding Part 2

Fame and Partners The Pepper Dress, $299 at Fame and Partners

...Or go all out. Take that crazy eveningwear trend you've been dying to try — cake-tier ruffles, for instance — for a spin. Just think about the slow-mo Instagram-story opportunities.
The City Hall Wedding

J.Crew Long-Sleeve Sheath Dress With Tulle, $118 at J.Crew

Weddings are the perfect excuse to have fun and get really dressed up, but if the bride's going to be wearing a suit, you, too, must forgo whimsy. Still, it's a wedding, and a tiny bit of tulle never hurt anybody. Follow J.Crew's example and pair this (kind of) demure dress with bedazzled Mary Janes.
The Dead-Of-Winter Wedding

Warm Daphne Full Length Dress, $380 at Moda Operandi

Frigid temperatures call for long sleeves, ankle-length hems and giant, colorful florals that'll still be visible beneath your hefty-ass coat. Pair this Warm dress (how apropos) with neutral accessories since it’s so eye-catching.
The Wedding Where You Plan on Partying — Hard

& Other Stories Ruffle Dress, $125 at & Other Stories

A night of debauchery calls for a dress that's neither delicate, nor expensive, nor prone to wardrobe malfunction. For added assurance, hide some nondescript black bike shorts under this cute swishy cocktail frock.
The Beach Wedding

Reformation Sabrina Dress, $218 at Reformation

Don't shy away from pattern — it photographs well, especially against neutral hues like sand. Speaking of which, the presence of minuscule, easily airborne granules necessitates higher hems and flat footwear.
The Ojai Wedding

Free People We Broke Free Maxi Dress, $228 at Free People

Weddings are stressful, wellness is #trending. In search of calming vibes, more and more couples are migrating to California's sun-bathed, natural spring-filled Ojai Valley for their big day. Cater to your crystal and Coachella-loving friends' aesthetic with a breezy boho gown that'll fit right in with the surroundings.
The Early Spring Wedding

Mango Floral Print Dress, $79.99 at Mango

Wallpaper florals and long bubble sleeves: the perfect early spring compromise. Add espadrilles and gold hoops for a low-key but pulled-together outfit.
The Fashion or Art Person Wedding

Fame and Partners The Orion Dress, $249 at Fame and Partners

Go ahead, be trendy. Wear two belts at once; cover your shoulders — soon to be rubbed against those of the bride's cool aunt who you've been dying to meet — in Maribou feathers. Review the first dinner scene in Nocturnal Animals for outfit inspo.
The Height-Of-Summer Wedding

Reformation Sophia Dress, $428 at Reformation

Florals for summer? Yawn. Take a page out of Jacquemus' style book and reach for an umbrella-striped dress that won't have you schvitzing like a (censored) in church. (Although, if you are headed to an actual church, you'll want to bring a cover-up of some sort. In fact, temperatures drop at night, so have a cute silk robe on hand regardless.)
The English Countryside Wedding

Zara Flowing Midi Dress With Long Sleeves, $89.90 at Zara

When in England, wear Victorian necklines. It's always nice when your outfit makes sense among the decor.
Any Wedding, Really

Raey V-Neck Silk-Satin Midi Slip Dress, $193 at Matches Fashion

Investing in a quality slip dress is always a good idea. It'll never go out of style; it's easily dressed up or down. In the winter, pair it with sleek boots and layer it under a patterned kimono-sleeve robe. In the summer, team it with strappy sandals and use it to show off your (faux) tan.