Image by Kami Olavarria. Keep scrolling to find the perfect winter wedding guest dresses
Are you on the hunt for a stylish winter wedding guest dress that won’t leave you shivering? We’ve rounded up over 50 of the cutest long-sleeved dresses to keep you warm at your loved one’s upcoming winter wedding. Velvet, floral, ruffles, and even jumpsuits make an appearance on our list, but which style is your favorite?
Short Winter Dresses
We know what you’re probably thinking. Wearing a short dress in the middle of the winter sounds like an awful idea. But there are places with winter highs of 75º, so a thick maxi dress isn’t necessary.
If you are attending weddings where the weather is chilly, there’s most likely going to be inside too. So why not rock a short dress?! You can pair it with a jacket or fur and tights if you are concerned about being cold or you know that you’re going to be spending any time outside. Once you hit the dance floor to warm up, feel free to ditch the coat!
Midi dresses are the ideal style for weddings year-round. The extra length adds a layer of protection from the cold without weighing you down too much. You’ll still have the freedom to bust a move while still looking put-together. To take the winter look up a notch, pair it with booties. If not, it’ll look stunning with a pair of heels or flats.
Maxi dresses are ideal for winter weddings that are primarily outside. Many of these long dresses also include long sleeves, but if not, you can throw on a jacket or fur to ensure that you’re extra cozy. We love maxi dresses because they give you the chance to wear lower heels or flats. You’ll be able to keep your shoes on all night and still be able to get down on the dance floor.
If you hate the idea of being constricted at all, then a jumpsuit is for you. They not only allow you to have a wider range of motion, but they also look super chic. Whether you want long sleeves, sleeveless, or strapless there’s an option for everyone.
The leaves are changing, temperatures are dropping, and you can smell the pumpkin spice in the air—fall wedding season must be upon us! If you’ve got a fall wedding or two on your calendar this year and haven’t chosen an outfit, allow us to help with these stylish fall wedding guest dresses. From mini to midi to maxi to autumnal florals or rich jewel tones, you’ll feel fashionable and fall wedding-ready in any of these picks.
With weddings in full force once again, there’s a good chance that you’ve been invited to at least two (if not more) weddings in the next year. There’s a lot to look forward to at weddings–the love, the food and drinks, the dancing. But before you can get to partying, you have to figure out what to wear. To save you the stress of going out and shopping only to be disappointed by the selection, we’ve rounded up wedding guest dresses for every kind of wedding. From beach to winery to rustic, there’s something for everyone. And the best part? You don’t even have to leave your house!
Beach Wedding Guest Dresses
Is there anything more beautiful than a beach wedding? The warm summer air, the waves crashing in the background, the sand between your toes. When it comes to beach wedding attire, think flowy fabrics and bold colors.
There’s nothing like getting dressed up and attending a formal wedding. It will have you feeling like you’re attending a gala. We recommend floor-length dresses in dark, neutral color palettes for a sleek, timeless look.
Rustic weddings typically involve beautiful scenery and earthy touches, which is why incorporating these elements into your fashion is ideal. We’re big fans of earthy hues, textured fabrics, and patterns like paisley or gingham. Bonus points if the dress looks cute with a pair of boots.
The dress code for winery weddings typically varies depending on the couple. If no dress code has been specified by the soon-to-be newlyweds, opt for something that is the perfect combination of dressy and casual.
When we think of urban weddings–such as rooftops or historic industrial venues–we think of cocktail dresses. These are very similar to those that you’d wear for a formal wedding with shorter hemlines.
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Etsy as a one-stop shop for wedding details and decor and this week we found ourselves tumbling into a rabbit hole of gorgeous and unique wedding guest books by independent designers! To aid in your search for the perfect guest book or guest book alternative for your wedding, we’ve rounded up the best Etsy wedding guest books.
From traditional guest books with gold foil calligraphy to custom watercolor art prints for your loved ones to sign, these are the best Etsy wedding guest books for your big day!
Looking to personalize your guest book with beautiful imagery?! Check out our wedding photographer vendor directory and get connected with one of the best wedding photographers in your area! We’ve searched high and low for wedding photographers from Los Angeles, to Missouri, to Thailand for your special day.
Warmer weather, pretty blooms, and vibrant color palettes—there’s a lot to look forward to when it comes to summer weddings. And as a summer wedding guest, selecting the perfect wedding day outfit is important. From the formality to the color, there are many moving parts that can make this process feel overwhelming. To save you from the stress and confusion, we have compiled a list of our favorite summer wedding guest outfits, perfect for all summer wedding events that will have you looking stylish while beating the heat.
Before diving into our inspiration, here are a few tips for selecting the perfect summer wedding guest outfit:
From the ceremony to reception—comfort is key. Make sure your outfit is stylish and comfortable as well
Keep in mind the ceremony style and location when selecting your outfit and accessories. For example, you wouldn’t want to show up to a beach wedding with a jacket but you might want to bring that extra layer if the ceremony is taking place in an air-conditioned building
Pick an outfit you feel confident in, a wedding is a fun and photo-filled day
Stick with a color palette that compliments the wedding theme. Use the invitation as your guide
The options are endless when it comes to finding the perfect wedding guest outfit. By keeping these tips in mind during your shopping experience, you’ll be sure to find outfits that are stylish, and comfortable enough to beat the heat.
Junebug Reminder: Do you know what happens in the summer? It gets hot. And this often results in the selection of a sleeveless, strappy, or backless outfit. And when that happens, you’ll most likely need a bra-alternative to keep you looking seamless and elegant. Check out our favorite nipple covers we’ve tried to date – Lollipetals. They are the perfect pasty, made of thin, high-quality silicone that sit discreetly underneath any top or dress, while still remaining in place all night. No matter how hot and sweaty the evening may get.
Weddings happen all year long. If you’re looking for wedding guest outfit inspiration for every season we’ve got you covered. Check out our top-notch wedding guest outfits for fall, winter, and spring.
Things are looking a little different in 2021—thankfully. Because of travel limitations and changes in couples’ wedding priorities, more couples are opting for backyard weddings. We’re here for any celebrations of love. With so many weddings at home, many guests are left wondering what to wear to these events. To help you save time and stress less, we’ve compiled a list of backyard wedding guest outfits for everyone.
Before we begin, we wanted to share a few Junebug outfit tips for you:
Make sure you are following the dress code of the wedding. If the invites include words like black tie, formal, or semi-formal be sure to stick to those
Be sure to wear sunscreen and pack a mini bottle to reapply as needed
Dresses As Backyard Wedding Guest Outfits
Whether it’s spring or summer, dresses are always a great option to stay cool and look great! These options look great at any backyard wedding. Keep in mind that if you’re attending a wedding in a warm climate you’ll want to opt for the cotton and linen options.
Dresses aren’t for everyone. Any jumpsuit or romper works great for backyard weddings, especially if you plan on playing any lawn games or hitting the dance floor. These jumpsuits range in formality and are all comfortable for a long ceremony.
You can’t go wrong with a collared shirt and a good pair of pants. Regardless of the season, this combo will keep you cool and have you looking fabulous for any backyard wedding.
Junebug Tip:
Try a French tuck (yes, just like Tan France always suggests). It’s a great way to look polished without having to tuck in your shirt all the way.
To pair perfectly with the collared shirts above, these cotton and linen pants are perfect for backyard weddings. By sticking with cotton and linen pants, you’ll stay more comfortable during the day, especially for spring and summer weddings.
If you’ve been invited to a backyard wedding, odds are you’re going to walk on grass or uneven ground. Instead of wearing your brand new white shoes or your sky-high heels, try these options. We promise that you and your feet will be much happier.
If you really want to wear a heel, opt for wedges, or low heels. Our favorite wedges are below, but you can also shop these low-heel options—perfect for backyards of any kind.
Finding the perfect backyard wedding guest outfit is now a breeze! You can focus on finding the happy couple a wedding gift. If they don’t have a registry to go off of don’t stress! Check out these Amazon wedding registry ideas to find the perfect gift—especially if you need to use that two-day shipping.
The weather is warming up which means wedding season is upon us. If you’ve got a wedding to attend but don’t have anything to wear, don’t stress. We’ve rounded up our favorite spring wedding guest dresses. From floral prints to pastel hues to wrap dresses with flutter sleeves, get ready to add one—or more!—of these spring wedding guest dresses to your online shopping cart.
Short Spring Wedding Guest Dresses
When we think of spring, we think of lots of sunshine and warmer temps. That means shorter dresses in pastels and floral prints. However, we know that this isn’t always the case and that it can still be pretty frigid well into early summer. If you fall in love with a short dress but are worried about being cold, pair it with a scarf, jacket, or tights.
Midi dresses have taken the fashion world by storm and they come in a wide variety of colors and prints that are perfect for springtime. Plus the extra length gives you a little more warmth while still looking chic.
If you’re worried about being too chilly and don’t feel like layering, these long spring wedding guest dresses are great options. They still come in colorful florals and light colors perfect for the season, while protecting you from the cold weather.
Who says you have to wear a dress to a wedding? Let’s face it, jumpsuits are way more comfortable and allow you to really get down on the dance floor. Opt for pinks, blues, and greens to tie in the seasons trends.
With temperatures dropping quickly as winter approaches, finding the perfect wedding guest dresses to keep you warm while you celebrate is crucial. From velvet and sequins to seasonal florals and flattering wrap styles, there’s a dress for every venue, style, and body. Just because it’s getting colder doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style this wedding season. Add a pair of cute boots and a cozy jacket to your wedding guest look and get ready to sip champagne and dance all night long!
Short Winter Wedding Guest Dresses
For some, wearing a short dress in the middle of the winter might sound dreadful. However, if you’re in warmer climates such as the American southwest, then you know how mild winters can be. No one wants to be in a thick dress if it’s 70 degrees out!
If you’re attending weddings in cold climates, there’s a very good chance that the wedding won’t be outdoors, either. Pair these dresses with a jacket or fur and tights for the short amount of time that you’ll be outside and then ditch the coat once you hit the dance floor.
Midi dresses are ideal for every winter wedding you’ll attend. The extra length adds a layer of protection from the cold. They still give you the freedom to get your dance on, all while looking classy. Pair with booties or heels for an easy yet glamorous look.
If you know that you’re going to be spending most of your time outside during a winter wedding, you might want to opt for a long wedding dress. Most of these dresses are not only long in length, but they also have long sleeves which will keep you feeling extra cozy. They’re also the ideal option if you’re looking to wear lower heels or flats since you won’t be able to see your feet.
Want the ultimate freedom to bust a move? Then a jumpsuit is for you! They not only allow you to have a wider range of motion, but they also happen to look incredibly chic. Whether you want long sleeves, sleeveless, or strapless there’s an option for everyone.
COVID-19 has taken the world by storm and has particularly impacted the wedding industry. Lavish weddings as we once knew them are changing shape overnight. If you’re dealing with rescheduling or trying to trim down your guest list to follow government guidelines and ordinances, know that you aren’t alone. Couples getting married in 2020—and likely 2021—will face a list of new challenges that others have never had to deal with before. Navigating these changes can feel overwhelming and advice on how to change up your wedding has been sparse—until now.
First, start with revisiting your guest list. Trimming your guest list down is already a headache when wedding planning. But now more couples are choosing to throw micro weddings with their closest friends and family. After making this decision, the next question is: how do you determine who will be invited to celebrate with you on your special day?
Give the Option to Attend Virtually
Virtual weddings are becoming increasingly popular because of COVID. This option is especially important if you have elderly or immunocompromised guests on your list. If you hired a wedding planner, they likely have opinions about which video platform you should use for live streaming. At Junebug, we love Zoom, Google Hangout, and Skype. Go out of your way to make any virtual guests feel included by allowing them to request a song or make a speech if they are near and dear to you and your spouse.
Plan a Celebration for a Later Date
For some couples, the idea of not having certain friends and family at their wedding is devastating. If you’re still looking to tie the knot now but you do so in an elopement or a micro wedding, consider hosting a wedding reception party in the future. We love the option of celebrating your first wedding anniversary with a giant party surrounded with your loved ones.
Consider Which Guests are Vital
While this may sound like a silly question, which guests can you not imagine your wedding day without? Those guests are vital to you. These are likely the people you first told you were engaged or the first ones you would share any life news with. Jot down their names, then call them or shoot them a quick text to see if they are available for the day that you’re planning to get married. Since COVID micro weddings are only a small number of guests, this shouldn’t require an overwhelming amount of communication. This will help you determine if you have availability to invite other guests.
Questions to Determine Who is Vital
But how do you take the list you’ve already trimmed and make it even smaller? Professional wedding photographer and Junebug member, The Archivers, recommended this list of specific questions to couples facing this difficult task:
Can you imagine getting married without this person’s presence?
How often do you see this person?
Has this person really been there for you throughout your life?
Do you feel competition with this person? Are they going to judge you?
When is the last time you saw each other or had a call?
Do you feel comfortable sharing your most intimate feelings and vows in front of that person?
Do you feel pressured to invite that person? Is a family member pushing you to invite that person?
We know we touched on this earlier, but keeping your loved ones safe should take priority. The idea of not inviting the sweet elders in your life may feel like tough love. However, the elderly especially are at high risk with the coronavirus.
If you have vulnerable guests on your non-negotiable list, think about how you can incorporate extra safety precautions to keep them safe. Whether it’s hand sanitizer at every table, utilizing outdoor space, or passing out masks the guests will greatly appreciate the effort.
If you are worried about the risks, keep in mind that many vulnerable guests may be happy to avoid being in that position. Consider having them virtually attend—as we discussed above. If virtual attendance doesn’t feel like enough, you can send them their own bouquet, visit them in your wedding attire later on, or have them write a letter to be read on your special day.
International Guests Face Different Risks
There’s no need to immediately uninvite your best friend from another country, but consider the risks they are taking with international travel. Many countries are currently not allowing international travel. If guests are able to travel, there’s a good chance they will have to quarantine when they arrive and when they get back home.
The future is uncertain, but it’s likely going to be a while before travel resumes the way it once did. Letting any international guests know that you don’t expect them to attend might be quite a relief for them and lift any pressure they may be feeling to navigate the situation.
Politely Uninviting Once You’ve Already Sent Invites
If you’re looking to make the switch to a micro wedding, but you have already sent out invitations, there are a few ways that you can delicately let guests know that your plans have changed. Don’t forget that everyone —seriously, globally—knows the situation and should be understanding if you are honest and straightforward.
As soon as you know that you will be trimming your guest list you should communicate the decision. Be upfront and let them know their safety is your priority.
Rather than send out a mass email, opt for phone calls. If you can’t feasibly speak to each person by phone, send personalized letters, cards, or emails. Explain that while it is unfortunate, you are looking forward to celebrating your wedding with them at a later date.
Use A Wedding Guest Template to Track Your Guest List Changes
We recommend using a wedding guest template to track the number of guests with their mailing addresses, email addresses, and whether or not they will be attending. This allows you to visualize numbers when they’ve RSVP’d, and quickly provide an accurate guest count. The template also allows you to track any gifts and whether or not a thank you card has been sent out!
Communicate Postponements, Too
If you are postponing rather than canceling, send out ‘change the date’ cards as soon as possible. This gives your guests time to prepare for any travel changes and allows them to make plans sooner rather than later. They’re especially important if you decide to change not only the date but the venue as well.
Trimming your guest list is less than ideal. We get it. While you may be mourning what your wedding was once supposed to be, going smaller does have its upsides. Micro weddings–while small–can still be extravagant. Use the money you save on guests to upgrade an area of your wedding experience. Whether you’ve been eyeing a photographer out of your budget or can’t get enough of the luxury glassware, you can choose to put the money you’re saving back into your micro wedding.
With a smaller guest list, you are also given more quality time to be present with each guest. While there’s nothing wrong with a wedding of over 100, it can be hard to take the time to talk to each guest or get photos with them. Plus, it will have everyone else feeling safer and more relaxed so that they can spend the day celebrating rather than worrying about getting sick.
We asked expert wedding photographer and Junebug member LIT Photography what the benefits of a micro wedding are and this is what she had to say:
“They are so incredibly special, relaxed, and focused on what truly matters: you and your marriage. I’ve found that couples have been able to relax and enjoy more time with the people that are there. The whole vibe has just been so much more chilled out, and they’ve been able to savor every moment.
There are also some budget benefits–although you can go as big or small with a micro wedding as you want. There’s no reason you can’t have all the amazing details like stunning flowers and pay more for your photography because you’re saving money on the food bill, etc.”
While turning folks away from your wedding day will never be fun, it may be necessary in these trying times. We hope these tips gave you the confidence to make those tough decisions a little easier. To see some Change the Date card inspo, take a look at the examples we put together with Minted. No matter what, know that you’ve got this, Junebabes!
Does thinking about your wedding guest list cue those anxious feels? You may be thinking things like, “Where do we start?” “How are we going to explain to Aunt Mary that we’re having an intimate day (and she’s not invited)?” Not to fear, babes! We’re here to help. First thing’s first: Take a breath. You’ve got this! Dive in to this step-by-step guide to creating your wedding guest list — and check it off your wedding to-do list!
1. Your guest list should come before choosing your venue but after determining your wedding budget
Guests are expensive! Remember, you’ll need to account for food and drinks for all of your guests — and more guests means more tables, chairs, dinnerware, etc. Determine your wedding budget first. This way, after you move to step two and make your dream guest list, it will be easier to “cut” guests based on the funds you have to spend.
Make a date night out of this! Go to dinner or grab pizza at home, grab your favorite notebook, and get to writing everyone you’d love to have in attendance on your special day. Dream big, include everyone in this list. We know your parents might have guests they’d like to invite, and they might be footing the bill, so we’re not saying to leave them in the dust, but do make your list first. You’ll be able to explain to your parents that there’s X room for more guests according to your budget.
Are children invited? Who gets a plus-one? These things are important. If you’re deciding on a no-children wedding, make sure your wishes are made very clear on the invitation. When it comes to the plus-one list, a general rule of thumb is to give a plus one to couples who are engaged, married, or seriously dating (a.k.a. you’ve met their partner and your gut tells you they’re in it for the long run). On your invites, you can include language that reads, “we’ve saved X seat(s) in your honor” to make it clear if they do / don’t have permission to bring a plus-one.
Okay, you’ve established your budget, made your dream list, consulted with your parents, and determined the rules. Now it’s time to get organized! Section off your list into categories. For example: Distant relatives, close friends, distant friends, immediate family, etc. This will help you in the cutting process to see what groups you may have to leave out — if your distant relatives and distant friends categories have the same amount of people and you need to eliminate one you can think about that category as a whole instead of trying to single people out and cross them off that way.
We know this might seem like you’re back in grade school choosing players for your dodgeball team, but—trust us—it’s okay to make cuts to your guests list, especially if it means not breaking the bank! Here are some questions to ask yourself when cutting back your list:
Can we imagine our wedding without this person there?
Would we go to dinner or drinks with this person outside of our wedding day?
Will it bring us joy to have this person at our wedding?
How long has it been since we’ve seen or spoken to this person?
Did this person invite us to their wedding? (Note: Reciprocal invites are not a must!)
You’ve done it! Time to shop for save the date cards . Remember the 10% rule: At least 10% of your guest list might not be able to make it to your wedding. In this case, it’s OK to have a back up list of people who you’d like to attend in their place. Pro tip: This is why we recommend sending out save the dates as soon as possible! It’s alright if you haven’t taken your engagement photos yet — there are plenty of invites that are beautiful without a photo!
Emotions are tough. Sometimes people won’t understand your perspective — but that’s okay! Take it as affirmation that you made the right decision by leaving them off of your guest list. You don’t need those negative vibes! Use this time and these potentially tricky situations to grow closer to your person. Come wedding day, this will all be behind you!
Feeling confident with your wedding guest list? Here are a few posts to help you with the next phases of planning:
