Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food
  • Holidays & Entertaining
  • Home & Garden
  • Style & Culture
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • These Haircuts Are Going To Be Huge in 2021

      The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. Read More Next
    • How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More Next
    • The Right Way to Heat a Pre-Cooked Ham

      It's so easy, trust us. Read More Next
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food

    Lost Cakes of the South

    These simple and spectacular Southern cakes deserve a comeback
    • All Food
    • All Recipes
    • Holidays & Occasions
    • Quick Fix Suppers
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Casseroles
    • Healthy Recipes
  • Holidays & Entertaining

    Holidays & Entertaining

    See All Holidays & Entertaining

    70 Wedding Vow Examples That Will Melt Your Heart

    Fight writer's block and find ways to express your love with these romantic, funny, and short wedding vow examples.
    • Christmas
    • Entertaining
    • Thanksgiving
    • Southern Weddings
    • Easter
    • Kentucky Derby
    • Valentine's Day
    • 4th of July
    • Mother's Day
  • Home & Garden

    Home & Garden

    See All Home & Garden

    7 Paint Colors We’re Loving for Kitchen Cabinets in 2020

    ‘Tis the season to ditch your all-white palette in favor of something a little bolder and brighter.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Before & After
    • Inspired Communities
    • Curb Appeal
    • House Plans & Builders
    • The Grumpy Gardener
    • Plant Names A-Z
  • Style & Culture

    Style & Culture

    See All Style & Culture

    50 Books Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime

    Curl up with a classic!
    • Southern Culture
    • Hair
    • Travel
    • Beauty
    • Pets
    • Southern Fashion
    • Healthy Living
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. fashion beauty
  3. The Best Dresses for Summer Weddings, According to Our Style Editor

The Best Dresses for Summer Weddings, According to Our Style Editor

By Betsy Cribb
May 10, 2018
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Save FB Tweet
Credit: LOFT
Summer in the South means three things: mosquitos, stifling humidity, and weddings. Lots of weddings. And with every joyous occasion comes an opportunity to ace the dress code test—or fail it. Dressing appropriately for weddings is hard enough to figure out the rest of the year (these vague references to attire are too much for our little hearts to bear), but add warm weather and breezy venues, and it only gets more difficult! But don’t fear: We’ve found six dresses that will solve all of your summer wedding wardrobe woes, whether the happy couple is celebrating in a rustic barn in the afternoon or a ritzy country club after dark. 
Start Slideshow

1 of 6

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Black Tie

Credit: Dillard's

When it comes to dress codes, summertime black tie weddings are a little more relaxed than their winter counterparts, so you’ll likely see a little bit of everything at these occasions. The venue also often determines just how formal you should go, but there are a few tried-and-true rules to live by, no matter where it’s held: Stick to midi- or full-length dresses, keep fabrics in mind (a cotton maxi won’t fit the bill, but a silk or brocade tea-length dress certainly will), and remember the transformative power of dynamite accessories and a good pair of heels. 

Buy it here: Nicole Miller New York Sleeveless Cutout Back Printed Hi Low Gown, $158; dillards.com

1 of 6

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 6

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Cocktail

Credit: Nordstrom

As with summertime black tie weddings, you’ll probably see a little bit of everything at cocktail-attire weddings in the warm-weather months. Depending on the venue, you can turn up the formality or take it down a notch with your accessories. Really like to break it down? A tailored tea-length jumpsuit in crepe or silk is equally appropriate for the festivities.

Buy it here: Asymmetrical Crepe Fit & Flare Dress, $92; nordstrom.com

2 of 6

3 of 6

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Garden

Credit: Zara

Florals? For a garden wedding? Groundbreaking. The Devil Wears Prada’sMiranda Priestly may think it’s a little expected, but if there’s a more appropriate place to wear a vibrant floral pattern than a garden wedding, we haven’t found it. Ruffle sleeves, linen, and a red-orange + pink color pairing make this pick feel especially fresh.

Buy it here: Floral Print Linen Tunic, $69.90; zara.com

3 of 6

Advertisement

4 of 6

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Brunch

Credit: Nordstrom

Morning weddings call for delightfully ladylike looks. Fil coupé polka dots, chiffon-covered buttons, and a fluttery skirt that hits just below the knee earn this sweet lilac swing dress a spot on the winner’s podium. Stick to fresh, dewy makeup and delicate accessories for an ensemble that really hits the mark. 

Buy it here: Hillary Clip Dot Chiffon Midi Dress in Lilac, $168; nordstrom.com

4 of 6

5 of 6

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Beach

Credit: J. Crew

Spoiler! This isn’t a dress. A beach wedding is an excuse to lighten up and have a little more fun, especially when it comes to your wedding guest wardrobe. Trade your typical maxi for a patterned jumpsuit. With statement jewelry and a woven clutch, it feels just as light-hearted, plus you can boogie on down—and catch the sea breeze—without worrying about any unexpected, or unwelcome, reveals. 

Buy it here: J. Crew Striped Halter Jumpsuit in Tushar Stripe Lighthouse, $148; jcrew.com

5 of 6

6 of 6

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Rustic Outdoor

Credit: LOFT

Afternoon weddings, especially those held beneath sprawling mossy oaks or on a farm, allow for more casual ensembles. A sundress with fun accessories and wedges is appropriate, as is a pretty blouse paired with a midi skirt. The color-blocked tiers on this fun-loving party pick dial up the festive vibes.

Buy it here: Tiered Halter Dress, $89.50; loft.com

6 of 6

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Betsy Cribb

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 6 Black Tie
2 of 6 Cocktail
3 of 6 Garden
4 of 6 Brunch
5 of 6 Beach
6 of 6 Rustic Outdoor

Share options

Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Login

Southern Living

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Books from Southern Living
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

View image

The Best Dresses for Summer Weddings, According to Our Style Editor
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.