It’s always challenging to figure out what to wear to a wedding. First, not all weddings are created equal. They are all in different locations, at different times with different levels of dress. There a few key questions you need to know about the event itself before we dive into what to wear. Find even more dress options in this post.
Event Questions
1) What is the venue?
2) What time of day or night (night weddings are dressier)
3) What is the dress code?
Your Preferences?
1) Hemline
Do you prefer something longer like midi length?
2) Silhouette
What flatters your shape best?
3) Color
Avoiding white or blush of course, what are your favorite colors? I love PINK, blue, yellow, green… any saturated jewel tones. Black can be very chic and a safer option too, but just know that most women will wear black. It depends if you want to blend in more or standout.
Top Three Dresses
Once you have all of those questions answered, narrow your search to your TOP THREE options. Order all three online and have them shipped to your home. Try on each option and take mirror selfies wearing the dress or jumpsuit (yes, you CAN wear a jumpsuit!)
The pictures will help you to see how the dress photographs and give you an accurate representation of what it truly looks like on you. Harder to have body dysmorphia with a picture. You can also ask a trusted friend or family member to weigh in on your top selections if you find you need more help. Make sure you take photographs from both the front and back.
I know that finding those top three faves can be really tricky so I wanted to share some of my favorites with you below… to help you get started.
#1 | Pretty in Pink
This gorgeous pink pleated A.L.C. dress is sold out but I found a very similar one by ACLER here. The way this dress moves and flows is just beautiful… you can really light up the dance floor! I can see this at a beach or summer wedding. This dress has cutouts which make it a little trickier to wear, but I absolutely love that it has sleeves and a longer hemline so you can feel much more confident and secure. I’m wearing this dress with chunky heeled Valentino sandals, which are great for stability if you’re going to a wedding that’s outside on grass or on the beach. You could easily pair it with some gorgeous nude heels too!
Shop more A.L.C. dresses here.
Want something even longer? Shop maxi dresses here.
#2 | Bardot is the Way to Go!
This Bardot dress is so beautiful, fun, feminine, and flirty! I’ve raved about this brand SO many times, you might be sick of hearing about it, but Bardot dresses are SO good and very affordable! On this dress, the see-through lace sections are strategically placed to create curves and make it even more flattering and sexy. I love that this dress has a halter neckline. It feels fresh. Most of their dresses are in the $100-$200 range, an amazing price for the quality! It’s sold out in lavender but comes in navy and black. I also really like this pale pink Bardot dress they came out with this year. I paired the dress with some sexy, strappy heels…this exact pair is sold out but you could go with any pair of nude heels. I really like this pair for spring/summer and they’ll be very versatile.
Shop more Bardot dresses here.
#3 | Not So Mellow Yellow
See? I told you I love jewel tones. Not so mellow yellow is one of my favorites!! I LOVE yellow on blondes. I always feel like I’m having my very own “Kate Hudson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” moment. Remember her silky yellow dress?? Gosh, that was gorgeous!! I Googled that dress, BTW, and it was designed by Carolina Herrera. I found this yellow stunner by the famed designer that is equally as stunning!
This yellow dress is not only warm and comfortable (soft knit), it’s also fashion-forward without trying too hard. Plus, hello arm coverage. Yay for sleeves! This would be perfect for a spring wedding in a climate that’s a little cooler. For weddings, I would definitely swap the boots for a pair of nude, tan or gold sandals or pumps. But, aren’t these Schutz python boots amazing? I love these boots so much I also bought the black. The dress is hard to find in stock but it’s available on Rent The Runway, which is amazing and a great way to save money if you’re not interested in buying a new dress for a wedding you’re attending!
Find more dresses you can rent here.
#4 | Flower Power
If you’re headed to a more casual wedding…like a or beach or backyard wedding, this floral print, drop waist dress a beautiful option, It’s a little more casual so you can dress it up for a wedding one weekend and wear it to brunch another weekend. It’s by Poupette St Barth. I LOVE the gorgeous blue color, and the small-scale print that won’t overwhelm you. I’m 5’4” so this falls just above my knees, but it is considered a mini dress. You can wear it with wedges or classic nude/gold heels.
#5 | DO Get Ruffled
The infamous $30 Amazon dress is always a solid option BUT make sure you go for a more saturated color like the deep pink, blue or purple. This dress is lightweight, flows beautifully and is insanely affordable!! The hemline is also so lovely especially for women over 40, showing off just a hint of ankle and your chest. You can see my in depth review and how I styled it here.
#6 | Short & Sweet!
Amanda Uprichard is another one of my favorite brands. I have quite a few of their tops and dresses. This yellow mini dress is comfortable and cute. I love the floral pattern and tiered skirt. It also comes in a really pretty pink or black! If you’re a bride looking for a shower dress, it also comes in white!
#7 | Green With Envy
You’ll definitely turn some heads in this bold green stunner! This exact dress is sold out, but I wanted to give you the inspiration. A saturated color like this is SO beautiful for any special occasion. Pick a color that you get the most complements in, and then wear that color to the next wedding you attend.
This dress by Alexis is another favorite brand for gorgeous special occasion dresses! I’m wearing white accessories in this look, but if you’re headed to a wedding, swap them for nude accessories instead.
Shop more Alexis dresses here.
#8 | High Waist For The Win!
This dress cheats your waistline so it’s just under your bust, often the tiniest part of a woman’s body. When you find a dress you love with that waistline… buy it and RUN!! They are difficult to find, but once you do, you know you have something really special and flattering. I love the idea of wearing this beautiful earth tones to a mountain top or dessert wedding. If you love prints and patterns, you MUST check out Ulla Johnson’s dresses and tops.
Shop more Ulla Johnson dresses here.
Are you heading to any wedding this spring or summer? Have you found something to wear yet? Please let us know how we can help in the comments below!
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i LOVE THE LAVENDER DRESS. I BOUGHT IT THROUGH YOUR WEBSITE FEW MONTHS AGO HOPING TO WEAR IN MAY FOR A WEDDING, WHAT KIND OF UNDERGARMENTS AND/OR SHAPEWEAR WOULD YOU RECOMMEN, THANKS
strapless bra or nipple covers with lift like these: https://rstyle.me/+fYybVFlUlvUJ_BRGDCKf8A
Whoops, like these: https://amzn.to/2DHeBet
Hi erin, has the reformation dress the shorts “built-in” or is pair you are adding to the dress? this is important bacause the dress is stunning but quite revealing as well…thanks Elena
Wow! I love the first one – Maxi dress. I agree, the champagne is pretty too. This might have to be something that lives in my closet! Thank you for a great post!