What's the Difference Between a Party Dress and a Wedding Guest Dress?

Most party dresses can be wedding dresses. However, wedding attire tends to be more modest in neckline and length, and less bold in colors and patterns. After all, the day isn’t about looking at the guests. Make sure you’re comfortable having your ensemble eternalized in their wedding album.

Wedding Guest Dresses

Q: What is a Wedding Guest Dress?

What makes a dress wedding-guest appropriate? It’s able to transition from traditions to celebrations, and matches the type of wedding you’re attending. While there are some traditional rules to follow - such as not wearing white or black - the rest is up for interpretation. It’s best to check with the bride and groom, or someone else in the wedding party, if there’s a dress code. These days there are fewer “wedding guest dress etiquette” rules. Even jumpsuits have become wedding appropriate for women. Our biggest piece of advice? It’s best to follow traditional rules if you don’t know the couple well.

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Best Dresses to Wear as a Wedding Guest

Anthropologie has an unforgettable collection of wedding guest dresses, from long maxis to short mini dresses. We’ve made it easy to find the perfect dresses to wear as a wedding guest in our can’t-miss collection. With so many colors and materials, you won’t know which wedding guest dress to choose!

What to Wear as a Wedding Guest

You’ve RSVP’d “yes!” and booked your stay, now what will you wear? After the bridal shower and rehearsal dinner, comes the wedding. Whether you're celebrating a friend’s big day or your third cousin’s marriage, you’ll want a dress that feels just right—elegant for the ceremony and fun for the reception. No matter the dress code, we’ve got you covered. Opt for timeless glamour with our black-tie wedding guest dresses, perfect for formal soirées. Heading to a sun-soaked celebration? Our beach wedding guest dresses bring breezy elegance to any coastal "I do." If the setting is intimate and relaxed, explore our backyard wedding guest dresses, effortlessly chic and comfortable. And for a sophisticated touch, our cocktail wedding guest dresses are just what you need to dance the night away.

1. What is a Wedding Guest Dress?

What makes a dress 'wedding guest' appropriate? It’s able to transition from traditions to celebrations and matches the type of wedding you’re attending. While there are some traditional rules to follow - such as not wearing white or black - the rest is up for interpretation. It’s best to check with the bride and groom, or someone else in the wedding party if there’s a dress code. These days there are fewer “wedding guest dress etiquette” rules. Our biggest piece of advice? It’s best to follow traditional rules if you don’t know the couple well.

2. Choosing a Wedding Guest Dress Based on Location

Certain dresses match different types of weddings. For example, a strapless sequin gown wouldn’t be appropriate for a simple, outdoor beach wedding. A light wrap dress would be suitable for a casual wedding guest dress but not sophisticated enough for a black tie evening reception. The time of day and time of year will make all the difference in choosing your wedding guest dress. Evening and cold weather weddings mean heavier fabrics, long-sleeved dresses, dark or jewel tones, and longer lengths. While light fabrics, floral patterns and bright or pastel colors translate better to daytime functions and warm weather seasons.

3. How to Follow the Wedding Dress Code

Check the wording of the wedding invitation. Phrases like cocktail, black tie, or white tie will give you direction for the level of casual-to-formal to follow. And consider that colors on the invitations or wedding websites might be a clue to the bridesmaid dress colors if you’re worried about a matching mishap. If you don’t feel comfortable asking about the dress code, investigate photos of the venue on Instagram from previous weddings. What kinds of dresses have attendees worn? Look for details about how traditional the location is, and whether it’s indoors or outdoors.

4. Wedding Guest Dress Ideas

Still unsure? Our picks for the most popular can’t-go-wrong dresses for weddings are shift dresses, cocktail dresses, wrap dresses, and sheath dresses. We also love classic floral prints, blue wedding guest dresses, and sleeved dresses. For length, a midi wedding guest dress is a great choice.

5. Wedding Guest Accessories

With wedding season in full swing, chances are you’ll be attending more than one celebration this year. The secret to making your wedding guest dress feel fresh for every event? It’s all about the accessories! Elevate your look by swapping out your shoes—from strappy heels to chic flats—adding statement jewelry, or switching up your evening bag. Whether you're going for classic elegance or a bold, modern touch, the right accessories can transform your wedding guest outfit!

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