Spring Wedding Guest Attire That Will Brighten The Reception

Spring is one of the best times of year to have a wedding. The weather is usually nice but not too hot, meaning you can opt for a dress with short sleeves without freezing but also go for a flowy long-sleeved look, too. Plus, a wedding in spring gives you more leeway with patterns, prints, and colors. Naturally, what you should wear depends on the dress code.

If the dress code is black tie, you should always err on the side of being too formal rather than underdressed. For women, this means a long dress or a suit — no minis allowed! Elsewhere, a semi-formal dress code is the most flexible. You can go for any length of dress or style of jumpsuit/pantsuit, as well as add a bit of fun with an off-the-shoulder look or a plunging neckline. 

Semi-formal means you can also get creative with prints. If ever in doubt, ask the bride or research the venue first so you know your look will be on theme. Whatever your style, you'll definitely find your new favorite wedding guest outfit from the picks below.

Looking for something sustainable? You can never go wrong with Reformation. The stunning Shayla dress has floaty sleeves and a shirred back bodice alongside a plunging neckline and a daring side split so you can show off a bit of leg. Ideal for a semi-formal daytime spring wedding, this dress is definitely pricey but it will be love at first sight. As well as pink, the Shayla dress also comes in a white floral pattern or plain sage green.

If you have always wanted to look like Lily James in "Cinderella," this light blue chiffon dress from Self-Portrait will give you the chance to do just that. Featuring sheer blouson sleeves and a fitted bodice with a flattering sweetheart neckline, the pleated skirt and lace hemline are the stuff of dreams. The color is also perfect for spring. This dress is formal, but the cutout could be a no-go for some weddings. Again, it's always best to check with the bride if you're unsure.

Keep things understated and classy with this tie-shoulder floor-length gown from BHLDN. Its terracotta peach color is a great option for the dreamy palette of spring weddings, not to mention flattering on several different skin tones. Accentuated by tie straps and a fitted top bodice section with a shirred back, this dress's longer length is great for black tie weddings (if the bride hasn't specifically requested guests wear darker colors, of course). Wear with gold heels and statement earrings for extra glamour.

Featuring a stunning delicate yellow hue, the pretty floral pattern of this tiered dress from & Other Stories makes it a solid choice for any spring wedding. Once again featuring self-tie straps so you can achieve the best possible fit, it has a structured top for support and a ruffled base made up of five tiers. The midi length is suitable for both the daytime and evening sections of a wedding, though it's best to go for something longer with sleeves if the dress code is black-tie. 

Slip dresses are huge at the moment thanks to the '90s revival, and this lace-trimmed midi from Nasty Gal is both elegant and a little sexy because of the deep V-neckline and side slit. Ideal for making your grand entrance to the evening portion of a wedding, its midnight blue color would look beautiful with sapphire earrings or even a choker to continue the '90s theme. Plus, we love that the ribbon at the back allows you to cinch the waist section how you'd like.

Available in sizes XXL to 4X, this Target sleeveless satin dress has an elegant aura that's perfect for both day and night. Not only does it come in pink, but also black, red, and a bright green geometric print. Moreover, it has an elasticated back and adjustable straps so you can look cute while staying comfy. Though it isn't a flowy dress, the rolled hem will offer extra movement and prevent it from sticking to you as you walk. Style with gold heels and a short statement necklace. 

Embrace all the "Bridgerton" vibes with this beautiful blue corset-style mini dress from For Love & Lemons. A little different from the usual wedding guest attire, this dress's shorter length makes it more suited to semi-formal weddings or if you're invited only to the afters. However, it will make a huge style statement thanks to the cinched waist, sheer sleeves, and sequinned tulle fabric. It's also covered in chic bows. Pair with silver heels to accentuate the sparkling sequins even more.

Bridging the gap between formal and playful due to the cut-outs at the front and back, this floral satin dress from ASOS is perfect for a wedding without a set dress code. The satin material prevents it from looking too casual, but it still has a flirty vibe. Though the light blue is offset by the red and green floral print, you might want to take a few selfies in bright light in it first — a dress that photographs as white or close to it is a big faux pax for most formal weddings.

For a wedding where the ceremony is earlier in the day and the dress code is dressy-casual, something like this button-up red floral mini dress from Sezane is a great option. The tie-front and button-up design lends it a more casual vibe that's perfect for outdoor or backyard occasions, whereas the bold red color and sweet floral design are spring favorites. If you don't want to show as much cleavage, you could wear a bodysuit underneath for extra coverage. For footwear, style with heeled espadrilles or elevate it with strappy heels.

Cocktail wedding guest attire can be tricky, but this sleek cowl neck satin dress from Elliatt have you covered. Available in nine colors, including pretty pale pink and eye-catching khaki, its cowl neck design contrasts with the open back. As this dress has a high-low hemline, it's best for semi-formal weddings or for wearing solely to the evening portion of the event (unless the dress code is specifically cocktail attire). Keep the rest of your look simple and opt for dainty jewelry to let the busy neckline have its moment. 

Similarly to the midi version above, this cami-style mini slip dress from ASOS is perfect for nodding to the '90s. However, this dress has been updated with a cowl neckline, meaning you can wear it to daytime weddings with a cocktail dress code, too. The bright pink color evokes all the vibrancy of spring, whereas the lace-up back adds a fun and flirty touch. As this material is high-shine, it will gather a lot of attention, so you might want to consider bringing a cover-up for the ceremony itself.

Spring has sprung, and there's no better way to show you're in the spring spirit than with this Zara patchwork jumpsuit. Bold and colorful, the long sleeves make it suitable for slightly cooler days. Plus, you can button it up as much or as little as you want, making it a good piece for transitioning from day to nighttime. It's designed to look a little oversized, with the slouchy fit best for semi-formal weddings rather than black-tie events. 

Including three pieces of a blazer, bralette, and shorts, this luxe pink jacquard floral set from ASOS practically screams spring wedding. Because it includes shorts, you'll want to avoid wearing this one to a black-tie wedding, but it's fine for a cocktail or semi-formal dress code. Moreover, each piece can be purchased separately, so you could buy just the blazer and shorts and swap out the bralette for a blouse, or get the blazer and bralette and wear pants instead of shorts. 

If you're attending a backyard, outdoor, or generally less formal wedding, a jumpsuit like this adorable lemon tie-waist jumpsuit is a good match. Living up to its namesake shop, For Love & Lemons, it was designed in collaboration with Victoria's Secret. Though the background is cream, the lemon pattern is yellow and green so it shouldn't photograph as overly white. Less formal weddings are sometimes more relaxed with guests wearing variants of cream or white, too. We love that the tie waist allows you to choose how tight you want it to be and how the top buttons add definition. 

Another sustainable pick, this halter neck silk jumpsuit from Reformation is timelessly elegant. The subtly open back and wide legs will keep you cool as you dance the night away. It comes in either a pale moss green shade or a printed dark floral design, though the moss green version is better suited to a spring wedding. Due to this jumpsuit having a slightly open back, it's also more suitable for dressy casual or semi-formal weddings rather than a black tie dress code.

Pearls are the latest hot accessory of 2023, and you can hop on the trend with this beautiful and dainty satin pearl strap jumpsuit from Cider. It's formal enough to be worn to a wedding with a black tie dress code, though you might want to bring a jacket for the ceremony itself. As well as the gorgeous taupe-beige color shown above, this jumpsuit additionally comes in a deep midnight blue shade that would be a good option for attending a wedding at night. 

Nail the 2023 asymmetrical trend with this one-shoulder red jumpsuit from Adrianna Papell. Sophisticated but definitely not boring, the slight wide leg silhouette and asymmetric top prevent it from being a typical jumpsuit. Red is a statement by itself, so keep your accessories simple. Wearing your hair up would also emphasize the one-shoulder design more. A pretty bun or high ponytail is a good way to make an outfit more formal, too — use a diamante clasp to further up the glamour.

Another more modest outfit option is this turquoise jacquard flare suit from River Island. Sold separately as a suit and trousers, the turquoise color is a must for spring, whereas the silky jacquard material lends the ensemble a luxe look. Pair with chunky platform heels to play up the '70s aspect of the flares. As for what to wear underneath, a slightly sheer blouse or a satin cami top would both match well — stick to white or cream so the turquoise takes center stage. 

Spring is associated with florals for a reason, and this all-out botanical print suit from Karen Millen will let everyone know you have arrived. Designed in collaboration with botanical artist Rui Jiang, its gorgeous green and cream color palette is bright enough for a spring wedding without being so bold that you'll distract from the wedding party. Finish with a silky cream cami top underneath for an elegant look. If the weather is slightly colder, you could even wear cream boots as an alternative to heels.

Live in a hot climate or attending a wedding somewhere sunny? Linen is one of the best fabric choices you can go for. Breathable and comfortable, this sage green linen H&M suit will make you the best-dressed guest at any wedding. Pastels are always a hit for spring, and the flattering light green shade automatically gives off spring vibes. Pair with a bustier underneath for a flirty vibe or add a blouse if you're going for a more modest look.

Once again made from linen, this chic sky blue vest and matching pants set from Mango is an excellent option for a daytime spring wedding. It takes inspiration from menswear with the slightly boxy fit of the waistcoat and pleated trousers. You could either add a white fitted T-shirt underneath for a casual vibe or a blouse to dress up the look a little more. The cut of the suit is the key aspect here, so accessorize with rings or a bracelet instead of a large necklace.