Weddings are just about the best place to wear a floral dress, especially in spring and summer when real flowers are in full bloom! Maybe it’s that so many nuptials take place outdoors in the warm-weather months or that floral prints are just inherently romantic–and what’s more romantic than a wedding? Perhaps it’s a combination of both. Either way, wearing a cocktail dress in pretty petal print? Well, it just feels right.
Because they’re so versatile, you can wear a floral dress to a black-tie wedding or a casual backyard wedding BBQ! Here are some ways we love to wear floral wedding guest dresses, no matter the dress code.
Black tie weddings are formal, but that doesn’t mean that floral prints are a no-go! It means you’ll want to look for elevated floral details that add to an elegant wedding guest look, and match the gown with thoughtful jewelry, shoes, and accessory choices. Fabrics should also fit the dress; this isn’t necessarily the place for jersey, no matter how comfortable it is. But satin, chiffon, and other polished fabrics? Yes, please! You also need to keep hemlines in mind; black tie typically means a longer dress, regardless of season.
For formal weddings, the vibe is more relaxed than black tie–but there’s still a pretty high level of sophistication. A floral formal wedding guest dress should feel polished and occasion-ready, with details that look refined instead of overly casual. Midi and floor-length dresses both work well here, especially in elevated fabrics like chiffon, satin, jacquard, or tulle. Florals can be a little bolder than they would be for a black tie event, but the overall look should still feel elegant.
Cocktail attire gives you a little more room to play, which makes it a great dress code for floral prints. Floral cocktail dresses for weddings can be fun, stylish, and expressive while still looking put-together. This is the perfect place for shorter hemlines, statement sleeves, flirty silhouettes, and prints that feel a little more playful. Bright florals, romantic blooms, and seasonal color palettes all fit right in, especially when paired with sleek heels, a clutch, and simple jewelry. You want to find the perfect balance between festive and polished, so your look feels special without being too formal or too laid-back.
Casual weddings are typically the easiest setting for floral dresses, since the dress code naturally lends itself to lighter fabrics, easier silhouettes, and more relaxed styling. That said, “casual” for a wedding still means you should look intentional and nicely dressed. Floral casual wedding guest dresses can include breezy midis, pretty minis, or simple maxis in cheerful prints and soft colors. You can keep accessories more relaxed here, but the full outfit should still feel polished enough for the occasion.
With the spring and summer wedding seasons right around the corner, if you’re lucky, you’ll get a beach wedding invite! Beach weddings can be any dress code, but usually they’re somewhat casual. It’s a fine line, though–you don’t want to show up in a sundress when everybody else is wearing something a little more structured! For a beach wedding, think “nice” dress, but feel free to have some more fun with it. Bold florals are right at home here, especially in tropical and sunset colors. And skirts with movement, like ruffles or pleats, look great in the ocean breeze!
You can wear almost any style of jewelry with floral dresses; just make sure that if you go with stones, the colors vibe with the dress, not against it. Clear rhinestones are always 100% safe, as are pearls and any metal. For shoes, you can go with a neutral, a metallic, or a color that coordinates with the dress–a cute look is to pick up an accent color in the dress and highlight it with matching shoes. If you’re wearing a floral dress to a spring wedding, dainty heels or sandals are always a good pick.
For your bag, neutral and metallics are safe, but woven styles look adorable with floral. A natural material like rattan or wicker looks great next to the organic patterning of a floral dress. Pearl and beaded bags are super cute, too, but you might want to avoid beaded bags with too many colors; you don’t want your bag to compete with the dress.
One of the hardest things about shopping for floral wedding guest dresses is predicting just how the floral print is going to look on you. That’s why when you’re dress shopping, trust sites with lots of reviews, so that you can see how real people look in the print. You should also choose sites with fair return policies, just in case you don’t like how it looks.
Also, when it comes to floral dresses, you’ll likely want to see a variety. That’s one of the advantages of shopping online; online boutiques can have a far greater variety of gowns than a brick-and-mortar store, so if your heart is set on a blue-and-purple-and-green floral dress, you don’t have to settle for a blue-and-yellow floral dress. More prints means more options, and more options mean a better chance of finding your dream dress! And at Lulus, you can shop whenever and wherever for the perfect floral wedding guest dress. Spring, summer, fall, or winter–we have a beautiful bouquet for every season.
What kind of floral print is your favorite? Dainty ditsy, big bright and bold, or sophisticated floral details in burnout or jacquard? Show us on Instagram and TikTok @lulus using #LoveLulus, and go pick a pretty flowery frock of your own from our In Bloom Floral Edit!
This post has been updated from its original content.
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