Warm weather signals the start of a new season—wedding season, that is. As those invites start flowing in, you’ll have to start thinking about what to wear. Finding the right wedding guest dress isn’t easy—you need to factor in the event’s dress code, the destination’s climate, your personal style, and of course, your budget. And while many of us attempt to fill our closets with timeless staples that work hard year after year and trip after trip, wedding guest dresses aren’t the easiest thing to rewear. Because of this, I avoid spending hundreds of dollars on a new dress every time I RSVP yes to someone’s big day—especially if it’s a destination wedding and I know I’ll be spending extra on airfare and hotel accommodations on top of a wedding gift.
After spending the last few years hunting for affordable, stylish dresses for friends’ and family members’ weddings, I’ve cracked the code to finding the perfect gowns. My secret: Lulus. I’ve been raving about Lulus’ wedding guest collection to friends for years—and the brand never disappoints. On its website, there is a dedicated Wedding Guest section filled with hundreds of dresses for every occasion. Lulus even has its wedding guest offerings broken down into categories that make it easy to find what you’re looking for, whether you’re shopping for a black-tie wedding, country wedding, beach wedding, or you prefer to shop by season. You can also filter your search by dress size, color, price, style, neckline, length, and more.
I’ve been able to find plenty of chic dresses with Lulus, from laid-back floral maxis to sexy, open-back satin gowns fit for a formal wedding. There are endless styles available for you to choose from, whether you want something a little more modest and traditional or something trendy and fun for a themed wedding. Best of all, most of these dresses come in under $100—making them just as affordable as they are stylish. And while I turn to Lulus for dresses that won’t break the bank, I also value quality—especially for a special occasion. Despite the more affordable prices, these dresses are still well-made and have racked up hundreds of positive reviews and ratings online.
To help make your wedding season prep a little bit less stressful, we rounded up dozens of our favorite wedding guest dresses from Lulus this season, with a variety of styles, lengths, colors, and vibes included, including a few our editors have in their closets for upcoming weddings. Whether you’re attending a romantic sunset service in Tuscany, a rustic barn wedding in upstate New York, or a minimalist garden party in Napa Valley, we have a dress below for you. Keep scrolling for all of our top picks from Lulus or jump right to the type of wedding you’re shopping for.
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Black-tie wedding dresses
Of all the wedding dress codes out there, black-tie is the most formal. This is your time to dress to impress with elegant floor-length gowns, statement jewelry, and a chic clutch. Black-tie is certainly the hardest dress to shop for on a budget, but we found plenty of options under $100 that are appropriate for this type of affair. When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with a sleek black gown—its always in style and always looks glamourous.
Formal wedding dresses
If you’ve been invited to multiple weddings this year, chances are that a few of them will request formal attire. This is a slight step down from black-tie, but still requires something tasteful and classic. A long dress may still be your best bet for this type of wedding, but there’s a little bit more freedom here when it comes to colors and patterns. For something lightweight and feminine, look no further than this pink ruched maxi—a favorite of mine that I’m planning to wear to a New Jersey wedding this summer. We’re also eyeing bestsellers like this fitted, off-the-shoulder midi dress and this gorgeous, embroidered floral maxi.
Cocktail party dresses
Another popular wedding dress code is cocktail attire. Midi dresses and even some short dresses or jumpsuits are fair game here. The great thing about cocktail dresses is that they are much easier to walk in, dance in, and pack than a longer, fussier gown. Even better is that you’re more likely to rewear them to future bridal showers, engagement parties, or vacation dinners. Take your pick of these fun, flirty cocktail dresses that work well for any spring or summer wedding that you have on the calendar.
Casual wedding dresses
Some weddings, like beachside ceremonies or laid-back garden parties, call for a more casual dress. Think flowy and ruffled midi dresses that you might wear to other wedding events, like a rehearsal dinner or welcome party. These pastel-colored dresses are still vibrant and polished, but are more pared back for a less formal setting. Wear any of these with a block heel, dainty accessories, and a small purse and you’re ready to dance the night away.
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