What to wear to a wedding

Choosing the perfect wedding guest outfit can be both exciting and daunting (especially if you're the mother of the bride or groom). Whether you're aiming for elegance, modern sophistication, or something uniquely you, our comprehensive guide to wedding outfits will help you navigate through the latest trends and timeless classics, ensuring you make a stunning impression on this joyous occasion.

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Petite dresses

There are no strict rules when it comes to petite dresses for a wedding, but we think it's a good idea to consider your proportions - oversized or voluminous dresses or anything with big, busy prints risk swamping your figure, meaning the dress is wearing you rather than the other way around. Petite fashion has come a long way in recent years - check out the wide range of styles on John Lewis for ideas. We really love the Phase Eight pleated maxi dress or the Alie Street floral shift for a summery print.

"The John Lewis personal shopper service is excellent with no pressure to buy. I used it ahead of a wedding and was very pleased. Alternatively their website has a great filtering system and literally thousands of dresses from many brands." Notagran55

Tips for choosing a petite dress for a wedding

1. Go for a higher waistline to make you look taller.

2. Look for 'short' sizes, not just petite.

Left: Phase Eight Petite Alecia Pleated Maxi Dress, £189, John Lewis

Right: Alie Street Petite Pippa Floral Shift Dress, Fuchsia, £129. John Lewis

Plus size dresses

The trick to finding a beautiful special occasion dress for a plus size figure is to know what works for you, but there are a few fail-safe features on dresses that suit plus size older women down to a tee. All great things come in threes and it's V-necklines, A-lines or empire lines and three-quarter-length sleeves for us! Yours Clothing are our go-to when it comes to plus size dresses as they offer a gorgeous range of styles that go up to a size 36. We love the LUXE curve pink maxi for a bit of sparkle and if you can't resist florals, take a look at the Yours London black print dress. Pair either dress with a beautiful occasion hat or fascinator.

Tips for choosing a plus size occasion dress

1. A-lines are your best friend as they give the illusion of an hourglass shape.

2. Deeper V-necklines are flattering for women who are top-heavy. If you have a smaller bust, go for a higher V-neckline.

Left: LUXE Curve Pink Embellished Maxi Dress, £95, Yours

Right: Curve Black Floral Print Dress, £48, Yours London

Midi dresses

"I’m another one who would say to look for a midi dress. I’m short and don’t like showing my legs so they are ideal." Grandmadinosaur

Midi dresses are chic, feminine and the perfect length for a wedding. If you get the length exact, a midi dress will graze the very top part of your calf just enough to show off your legs without making them look stumpy. This is why we love these designs from John Lewis - not only are they the ideal length, but they also feature flattering A-line cuts with higher waistlines to accentuate your curves.

Tips for choosing a midi dress to wear to a wedding

1. Get the length right - the dress should sit just below the knee.

2. Keep things streamlined for a more flattering shape. 

Left: Yumi Mela London Blossom Print Wrap Dip Hem Midi Dress, £55, John Lewis

Right: Chesca Sapphire Crush Tiered Dress, £195, John Lewis

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Tailored dresses

"I prefer tailored, well fitting classics, cost is immaterial - they last." Norah

Nothing quite beats a dress that fits you just right (think Goldilocks), which is why a tailored dress is the ideal wedding guest outfit. A fitted dress is an excellent choice for a wedding guest because it accentuates your silhouette, offering a flattering and stylish look. With its sleek lines and elegant fit, a fitted dress ensures you look polished and chic, perfect for celebrating a special occasion.

Tips for choosing a tailored wedding guest dress

1. Opt for an elasticated waist or a dress with a bit of give so you feel comfortable throughout the day.

2. Dare to be different with an asymmetrical neckline and bold colours or patterns.

Left: Phase Eight Elsa Floral Scuba Midi Dress, £110, Next

Right: Phase Eight Anastasia Tapework Lace Dress, £199, Next

Wrap dresses

"I love wrap dresses and find them very flattering." Rainbowsandunicorns1

Ever since legendary fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg launched her signature wrap dress in 1970, the style, partly inspired by ballerina wraparound tops, has been a firm favourite for anyone looking for a stylish and flattering fit. If you're struggling to find a dress that flatters your bust and waist, then look no further. What's not to love about them, really. They cinch at the waist enough to give you a defined shape without clinging to those wobbly bits and they work a treat on older women who are larger up top. If DVF is a touch pricey, fear not - there are loads of high street options to choose from. Both dresses below feature flattering necklines and fabrics that allow a bit of breathing room, which is particularly useful after a hearty wedding breakfast. We're seriously impressed by the range at Marks and Spencer right now with a great mix of brand and own-label frocks to suit all budgets.

Tips for choosing a the ideal wrap dress

1. Choose a style that doesn't dip too low at the neck so that the dress isn't too revealing.

2. Don't be afraid to show off those curves with dresses that cinch the waist.

Left: Julissa frill wrap midi-dress, £129, Phase Eight

Right: Per Una floral V neck mini wrap dress, £49.50, Marks & Spencer

Maxi dresses

"My mum has just bought a maxi dress for a wedding - she's 85! - and looks fabulous in it." SoNanny

Maxi dresses might seem a bit daring, but trust us when we say that they could well be your staple dress choice from now on. A spring or summer wedding is the perfect opportunity to go for a longer style, and an elegant maxi dress will ensure you feel more bridal party than beach. Not only are they a comfortable option, but they suit all shapes and sizes and really do make a statement. Lady Victoria Starmer's go-to brand ME+EM has a stunning range to suit all dress codes while Gransnet favourite Boden is perfect for those who love a bold print. Whether you fancy dressing to the nines or simply want a style that is formal enough without being 'too formal', we think these dresses will do just the trick.

Tips for choosing a maxi dress

1. Avoid maxi dresses that scream beachwear.

2. Be mindful of the length so that you don't trip on the hem. Take up if necessary. 

Left: Silk Full-Length Dress With Corsage + Belt, £595 ME+EM

Right: Linen Maxi Halter Dress, £155, Boden

Prices correct as of 25/07/24

Other things you might like:

Mother of the groom outfits

10 ways weddings have changed over the years

Images: Shutterstock