What to wear to a Summer Wedding / Summer Wedding Guest Outfits

• The Hatista
• Outfits Post
• March 7th 2025 / Last Updated: February 28th 2026

Spring weddings mark the start of Spring Summer wedding season (and time to start swooning over all the colours Spring introduces in Nature). When planning an outfit for a Spring or Summer wedding (or any season for that matter), the most important thing to remember is never to upstage the Bride. Wearing all white is of course a no go, as great as white is in the spring. Keep the all white dress for a day at the races, when they are just perfect. After a cold and what feels like endless Winter, you’ll want to incorporate lively hues and floral dresses into your wedding guest outfits.

Look for fabrics like silk, chiffon, and soft satin. Depending on the month the wedding takes place in, a lightweight wrap or pashmina might be necessary for the evenings in early or late summer.

Avoiding the temptation to dress more formal than you believe the couple will be. Don’t dress in fashion that screams for excessive attention. If wearing hats and headpieces, the general rule is to not wear one bigger than the Mother of the Bride. If you don’t know the Mother of the Brides outfit, but know her to be petite, then assume she won’t be wearing a big hat, so neither should you. Pillbox, Smartie, Button, and Disc headpieces are as large as a guest should go, unless they know the Mother of the Bride is wearing big. Some brides nowadays will encourage their guests to wear a hat, and you could then go a little bigger since you know lot’s will be wearing them. I would still stick to nothing wider than your shoulders though.

Is it a Church wedding? If so, be sure to stay a little modest. Midi Length, either in A line or pencil, would be the hem length to look for. Mini of course is too short, and maxi length (in my personal opinion) is for the Bridesmaids, or Black Tie weddings. Look for a dress that can be worn with a formal jacket, or bolero. For Mother of the Bride or Mother of the Groom, it might be a jacket designed for the Dress. For other guests the jacket or bolero doesn’t have to be matching in colour, but one that compliments, and smartens the outfit for the ceremony. With a jacket on, you'll look church-appropriate. Later on, take the jacket off for the reception and dance floor.

To create an appropriate Summer wedding guest outfit, here are our some outfits and ideas I've found to inspire you.

This post includes affiliate links - suggestions of items I've hunted out on the Internet for you. If you see anything you like, click the links and decide to buy the suggestion, then the retailer will give me a little commission (maybe even enough to buy a latte) to thank me.

Where to Find:

The Headband is: Two for Joy Creations. Click for Headband (International).
Dress is: Karen Millen. Click for Dress (UK) or also available for the (USA).
Earrings: Cuoke Miracle. Click for Earrings.
Eyeshadow: Hoomuss. Click for Eyeshadow (USA).
Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lippy (International).
Bag: Leesun. Click for Bag (International).
Nail Varnish: Sally Hansen. Click for Nail Varnish.
Shoes: Porte & Paire. Click for Shoes (UK).

Where to Find:

The Headpiece / Hat illustrated with this outfit above is for HIRE from: Dress-2-Impress.com Hat Hire. Click Here for Headpiece (UK).
The Dress is: Coast. Click to see Dress (UK).
Earrings: Chic Bijoux. Click for Earrings.
Eyeshadow Natasha Denona. Click for Eyeshadow (UK).
Lipstick: Chantecaille. Click for Lipstick (UK).
Bag: JNB. Click for Bag (UK).
Nail Varnish: O.P.I. Click for Nail Varnish.
Shoes: Badgley Mischka. Click for Shoes (International).

Where to Find:

The headpiece illustrated with this outfit is from www.dress-2-impress.com. Click Here for Headpiece.
Earrings: Esberry. Click for Earrings.
Dress: A.L.C. Click for Dress (International).
Eyeshadow: Huda Beauty. Click for Eyeshadow (USA). and for Eyeshadow (in UK).
Lipgloss: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lipgloss (International).
Bag: Accessoryo. Click for Bag.
Nail Polish: Essie. Click for Nail Polish.
Shoes: Dolce Vita. Click for Shoes (International).

Where to Find:

The Headpiece / Hat is by: Georgina Blyth. Click Here for Headpiece (International).
Dress: Adrianna Papell. Click for Dress (USA) .
Earrings: Sweetv. Click for Earrings
Eyeshadow: Tom Ford. Click for Eyeshadow (UK).
Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lipstick (International).
Bag: Amazon. Click for Bag (International).
Nail Varnish: Essie. Click for Nail Varnish.
Shoes: Jimmy Choo. Click for Shoes (International).

Where to Find:

Dress: Theia. Click for Dress (International).
Floral Hatinator: House of London Hats. Click for Hatinator (International).
Earrings: Gem Stone King. Click for Earrings (UK).
Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lipstick (UK).
Eyeshadow: Dior. Click for Eyeshadow (USA) or for Eyeshadow (UK).
Bag: JNB. Click for Bag (International).
Shoes: Jimmy Choo. Click for Shoes (International).
Nail Varnish: Essie. Click for Nail Polish.

Where to Find:

The Headpiece with this outfit is: Dress-2-Impess.com. Click Here for Headpiece (International).
Earrings: Swarovski Store. Click for Earrings.
Dress: Self Portrait. Click for Dress (International) also available at: Matches (UK) or available for: the (USA)
Eyeshadow: Tom Ford. Click for Eyeshadow (UK).
Lipstick: Cle De Peau. Click for Lippy (UK).
The Bag is: Milisente. Click for Bag.
Nail Varnish: Rimmel. Click to see Nail Varnish.
Shoes: LK Bennett. Click for Shoes (UK).

Where to Find:

The Hat is for Hire (UK) from: Dress-2-Impress. Click for Mother of the Bride Hat Hire (UK).
The Dress is: Coast. Click for Dress (UK).
Earrings: Swarovski. Click for Earrings.
Eyeshadow: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Eyeshadow (International).
Lipstick: L'Oreal. Click for Lippy (USA).
Bag: BGMIX. Click for Bag (International).
Nail Varnish: Rimmel. Click for Nail Varnish.
Shoes: Kurt Geiger. Click for Shoes (UK).

Where to Find:

The Headpiece with this outfit is: Gorgeous Hat Company. Click Here for Headpiece (International).
Dress: Undra Celeste. Click for Dress (USA).
Earrings: Aoboco. Click for Earrings (International).
Eyeshadow: Estee Lauder. Click for Eyeshadow (USA).
Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lipstick (International).
Clutch Bag: Charming Tailor. Click for Bag (International).
Nail Polish: Essie. Click for Nail Polish (USA).
Shoes: Sam Edelman. Click for Shoes (USA).

Coral on Florals

Graphic Floral Print dresses are always on trend. Floral dresses are the essence of feminine charm. Coral is a colour that you will find in 100’s of Floral prints. If you aren’t ready to wear a Coral tone on it’s own, then a bold floral print on a nude / neutral / grey or white background is perfect. You can then select accessories in the Coral colour to wear with the outfit.

Remember: If choosing florals or other highly graphic prints, then select accessories in single colour. Don’t try wearing a busy, statement hat, and a graphic print. Allow just one of them to be the star.

For Lot's More ideas on wearing Coral you can also read the post on How to Wear Coral.

Bold Floral Prints - Dark, Bright or Pastels

Nothing says summer like colourful floral print on a contrasting background. You simply can’t go wrong with a Floral Dress for a Summer wedding, matched with a complimenting hat, headpiece and accessories.

Look for prints that feature many shades, giving you a wide choice when looking for your accessories and hat to match.

Some Other Fabulous Summer Wedding Guest Fashion ideas:

Below is a Gallery of other ideas for dressing the part at a Summer Wedding, or Day at the Races. Click images to be taken straight to retailers: