The best guest wedding guest dresses you need to consider for the 2025 bridal season

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If you’ve already saved several wedding dates, then you’ve most likely started looking for the perfect gowns for every occasion. Finding the best wedding dress as a bride is known to be quite a hassle, taking many hours and plenty of try-ons. Since the standard, classic bridal gowns are so intricate and often require unique craftsmanship, they also come with a hefty price tag. Since the wedding is the special day of the newlyweds, it makes sense that the focus will be primarily on them. However, that doesn’t mean the wedding guests don’t have to go through a complex process in order to come up with an outfit they love. 

As trends changes every season, and you may have already started looking for the perfect gowns to wear, here are a few options that can provide you with a bit of inspiration during your next shopping spree. 

Pastels 

There’s nothing quite like pastels when it comes to wedding guest attire. These pale, subtle, and elegant versions of regular hues are a timeless classic precisely because they feel much less forceful than block colors. It is much easier to mix and match them with other pieces, and you don’t have to worry about them attracting too much unwanted attention (you definitely don’t want to be accused of being an attention-seeker at someone else’s wedding) without feeling underdressed. They truly are the best of both worlds. 

Pink and light blue are the best options, with washed coral being one of the favorite shades of pink this wedding season. Somewhat reminiscent of bubblegum or cotton candy pink, this hue feels more organic and mature than its counterparts. Choose a voluminous, ruffled, backless mini dress with a halter neckline in this color and pair it with strappy sandals for a fun and feminine look. 

Florals 

In the words of Miranda Priestly, “Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.”, but it’s true. Floral patterns will never be out of style when it comes to weddings, especially if the nuptials take place in spring. The good news is that there are so many different styles to choose from. Most floral dresses are on the casual side, perfect for an informal affair, but you can also find styles that are appropriate for black-tie weddings. Just make sure the dresses are long, made from high-quality materials, and have additional elements that elevate them, such as lace inserts. 

Blue and white is a classic combination, but you might want to check with the bride beforehand to make sure it is ok to wear and you’re not breaching etiquette rules. As a general rule, blue is the predominant hue, so there shouldn’t be an issue. Floral dresses look best when they have retro cuts, meaning a corset-like bodice and an ample, tiered skirt. If you want to get something a little more special, you can also choose a multicolored floral pattern inspired by folk art. Accessorize it with a sash with a similar bucolic pattern to accentuate your waist and the outfit itself. 

Polka dots 

Polka dots are believed to date back to the Middle Ages, but didn’t become widespread until the Industrial Revolution, when the first sewing machine was invented. Perfectly round and evenly spaced dots on fabric became possible from this point onwards, removing the association with rashes and uncleanliness that had existed in the previous centuries (when the patterns would have been placed irregularly). In 19th century Europe they were primarily associated with the lower classes for whom it was an affordable pattern, while in the United States polka dots became commonplace during the Roaring Twenties after Miss America of 1926, Norma Smallwood, donned a polka dot swimsuit. 

A deep navy slip-on gown with polka dots is great not just for a wedding but also for day-to-day wear. It all depends on the shoes and accessories you choose to wear with it and the cut of the dress. Midi length, cap sleeves, a standard V-neck, an empire waistline, and a light, floaty skirt are the features that make a dress perfect for both casual and festive occasions. 

Bold prints 

If you’ll attend a wedding during the summer, you should know that you can’t go wrong with bold prints and vibrant colors. In fact, this is the time during which a look like this works best. Apart from solid pinks, yellows, and greens, you can also look for pieces with unique styles. A silk midi dress with a surrealist painting design depicting lobsters, winged horses, palm trees, and the interior of a building that is reminiscent of a Minoan palace has been very popular among wedding guests over the last few months. 

Since it is summer, the cut of the dress should include details such as side leg vents and a relaxed T-shirt style. You can make the dress more formal by tying it at the waist. Sleeveless and strapless styles are perfect for summertime as well. A multicolored halter maxi dress might sound too relaxed and unceremonious for a wedding, but all you need to elevate it is to choose a gown that is sequined throughout and made from fabric that is more luxurious and unique, such as silk, or a high-quality, stretchy, knitted viscose. 

Black 

Black is still considered to be a color of mourning for many, so many traditionalists might find wearing black to a wedding to be inappropriate. In Jewish culture, a custom known as a black wedding (shvartse khasene in Yiddish) refers to marriage ceremonies performed during times of crisis, such as epidemics. Nowadays, some people choose black outfits as the designated dress code for all their guests, with the bride and groom sometimes dressed in all-black attire as well. If the wedding invitation you’ve received includes this mention, you can consider yourself lucky. 

Black is a classic, elegant color that is easy to accessorize and entirely unpretentious (just make sure to use a lint roller first if you have pets that shed fur). A simple black dress with an off-shoulder neckline and hoop details at the hemline, a maxi, flared, and sleeveless gown, or a strapless robe in the style of Jackie Kennedy worn with opera gloves are all perfect options. 

Picking an outfit as a wedding guest is no easy task. There are so many options that it makes sense to feel spoilt for choice. The dress you choose should fit your personal style and allow you to feel comfortable throughout the evening. So, when you go shopping, make sure to think about your preferences as well and let trends act like guidelines.