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Yay, you just got invited to a wedding! But the invitation indicates you need to dress in cocktail attire. Or formal attire. Or maybe garden party attire? Instead of letting the panic over what to wear ensue, we’re breaking down exactly what dress to wear to each type of wedding. We sought out affordable dresses you can order straight to your door from Amazon — all for under $50.
A wedding guest dress for a beach wedding isn’t going to work for a black-tie wedding (and vice versa). So, be prepared to rework your wardrobe depending on the vibe. Your wallet doesn’t have to take a huge hit, and you don’t have to spend hours in the mall hunting down the right dress. Start (and end) your shopping journey here.
The Top 5 Dresses for Each Type of Summer Wedding
Beach Wedding
A beach wedding is all about keeping it light: light colors and lightweight materials. So, leave that little black dress at home. That’s what makes this pink and red floral, one-shoulder maxi dress ideal for the occasion. The cinched-in waist and maxi length keep you breezy and stylish while your feet are in the sand.
Garden Party
With a garden party wedding, you know that at least part of the occasion is going to take place outside (choose your shoes wisely!). Semi-formal attire with flowy fabrics and bright colors or patterns is the way to go. Take this floral spaghetti strap sundress. It goes all the way to the floor, but has a flattering slit, V-neck and cinched waist for a romantic look.
Casual
If you get a wedding invitation that says the event is casual, don’t take that as a green light to wear jeans and flip-flops. You should still have an elevated look, and this tiered midi dress is a solid option. The square neckline, fluttery sleeves and elastic bodice make it a no-fuss style that works for outdoor or indoor nuptials.
Cocktail
A cocktail attire wedding is common, but the wording can be a little confusing. For such occasions, you don’t have to wear a gown, but it’s more elevated than a casual affair. Think: knee-length and midi cocktail dresses. It’s also acceptable to go the mini route, like with this flutter sleeve dress. It has a shorter length, but the material and exaggerated sleeves make it ready for a cocktail wedding.
Formal
Falling right between cocktail and black tie, a formal wedding should have guests in an ankle- or floor-length dress. A color or print is still acceptable, but you want to have a more elevated look. Try this satin-like, mock neck dress that comes in dozens of colors — all guaranteed to match the vibe you’re going for. Grab it while it’s nearly 30% off!
Black Tie
The most formal wedding type on this list, aka black tie, it’s expected for women to wear a formal, floor-length gown or dress — and you can’t go wrong with wearing black. Yes, you can still find solid options for a budget-friendly price on Amazon! Take this off-the-shoulder evening dress, for example. It has a lovely sweetheart neckline and compliments the curves all the way to the floor.
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