Summer wedding guest dresses for a destination wedding

Wedding season is upon us, and if you’ve been lucky enough to score an invitation to a wedding abroad, congrats! While being a guest at an overseas ceremony is an honour, figuring out what to wear might prove tricky. Finding a summer wedding guest dress for a destination wedding or wedding at the beach requires factoring in things like climate so you don’t overheat, location so you don’t look out of place, and suitcase space so you’re not lugging around an enormous garment bag on your travels. 

The key to nailing destination wedding guest attire is keeping it lightweight, versatile and wrinkle-resistant. Breathable fabrics like linen, chiffon, and cotton are ideal for hot, humid locales. Although, unlike polyester, they’re more prone to wrinkling so this is worth bearing in mind when packing. Look for figure-flattering styles with strategic colour blocking or ruching to camouflage any sweaty areas  clingy spots. 

So, without further ado, find the summer wedding guest dresses our Mumsnet users themselves love and recommend that are destined for a wedding abroad. 

Let’s start with the dress that Mumsnet user ladygindiva admits she’s “been eyeing up”, and we can see why. This Alba tiered cotton maxi dress by Boden is perfect for warmer temperatures.

Boden Alba Tiered Cotton Maxi Dress, £135 | Buy now from Boden

Mumsnet seal of approval: “I've been eyeing this up, I think it's gorgeous…” ladygindiva

When it comes to linen, & Other Stories is a favourite amongst Mumsnet users, including this wrap midi dress that features short, puff sleeves and an asymmetric, ruffled hemline that’ll swish with every step. 

& Other Stories Linen Wrap Midi Dress, £125 | Buy now from & Other Stories

Mumsnet seal of approval: “Have several linen dresses… with sleeves, under budget.” GoldDuster

Read also: Plus size wedding guest dresses for summer

Beach weddings and Free People are a perfect combo. Their free-flowing dresses are flattering and comfortable to wear - including this beach bliss maxi dress that comes in eight different colours that can be dressed up or down. 

Free People Beach Bliss Maxi Dress, £108 | Buy now from Free People

Mumsnet seal of approval: “Free People do the boho beach wedding look better than most - lots of floaty dresses with sleeves on offer.” SuncreamAndIceCream

“I came to say exactly the same thing, you can't go wrong with Free People especially for a hot weather beach wedding. I am sure you'll be able to find something gorgeous there.” Howmanyroses

For those of you who want your shoulders covered without overheating, this green floral print midi dress from Roman is just the ticket.

Roman Green Floral Print Shirred Waist Midi Dress, £46 | Buy now from Roman

Mumsnet seal of approval: “I find an angel sleeve dress very cool in the heat whilst covering the top part of the arm.”Aprilcherry04

Our second entry from Boden in our roundup is this Liv pleat detail midi dress that will surely become a summer favourite in your wardrobe. If the blue and white print isn’t your thing, there are four more designs to choose from. 

Boden Liv Pleat Detail Midi Dress, £135 | Buy now from Boden

Mumsnet seal of approval: “Boden has some nice dresses in natural fabrics. Not all wacky colours and patterns.” PrimalLass

Hope & Ivy is a great go-to for wedding guest dresses, and this signature wrap style dress is a great example. With sparkling embellishments and block colour, you’re sure to stand out in this piece. 

Hope & Ivy The Hebe Embellished Wrap Dress, £130 | Buy now from Hope & Ivy

Mumsnet seal of approval: “Some are a teeny bit over budget but Hope and Ivy have lots of gorgeous dresses that fit the brief.” Workawayxx

Read also: Wedding guest dresses for a larger bust

If you prefer a bodycon style dress, then this Sia pointe midi dress by Lavish Alice is a great choice. Not only is the colour gorgeous, but the dress is made of a cotton blend stretch material so you can be cool and comfy all day. 

Lavish Alice Sia Pointe Midi Dress, £148 | Buy now from Lavish Alice

Mumsnet seal of approval: “This is one of my favourites so far. I have been looking on Lavish Alice and they have quite a few amazing dresses. Thank you.” maz82

And finally, a dress that Mumsnet user Springtoit brought to our attention is this Coast lace trim and embroidered mesh midi dress that’s super feminine and timeless.

Coast Lace Trim Detail Embroidered Mesh Midi Dress, £149 | Buy now from Debenhams

Read next: To keep your outfits looking their best, check out our guides to the best steam irons, the best steam generator irons and the best clothes steamers Mumsnet users swear by

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she commissions, writes, and edits to bring parents content designed to make life easier. After birthing and breastfeeding two babies in two years, Rebecca knows first-hand how hard it can be to prioritise yourself when you become a mother. So, she’s on a quest to find the best beauty and fashion products that are both practical and affordable, with the help of Mumsnet user recommendations. 

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog up and down country lanes.

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