12 Unexpected Wedding Guest Dresses to Wear This Spring (2024)

Picking a dress to wear to a spring wedding is a deceptively tricky fashion task. First, there's the wedding dress code to figure out, then there are the sweltering afternoons and chilly evenings that temperamental spring weather delivers. All in all, it's not always as easy as it seems to find a spring wedding guest dress. Luckily, we've got you covered with a dozen dress ideas that don't rely entirely on ye ol' florals for spring — groundbreaking, right? — and, instead, take cues from this season's freshest trends.

That's not to say you won't find a single floral print on our list of fun, exciting dresses for spring weddings. 'Tis the season for flowers, after all, and if a fashion fave isn't broken, there's no need to fix it. But we're adding the latest trends to the traditional wedding guest looks for this time of year. From refreshed silhouettes to vintage-inspired details and decadent accessories pairings, you won't find anything been-there, done-that here.

We're not the only ones a bit bored with familiar spring formalwear. According to Google Trends, shoppers and wedding guests across the country are yearning for a bit more. There's not a pastel in sight among the top ten wedding guest colors right now. Instead, orange, green, brown, and navy round up the top picks, while hot pink, sage green, and metallics are also up and coming. Style-wise, the trends are less about tea-length prim dresses and more about longer hemlines and personalized styles with co*cktail, boho, and western dresses claiming the three most popular wedding guest dress style spots.

Whether you want to ride the trend train with something ultra fashion-forward or you're simply looking to stand out among the sea of wedding guests, you're definitely going to want to consider one of the 12 spring wedding guest dress looks below.

Go Darkly Floral

Stand down pastels, the age of the dark florals is upon us. Rather than pale pinks or blues, go luxe with a floral maxi in deep jewel tones like royal blue, navy, or forest green, with some bright pops of neon thrown in. To keep the look luxe, we recommend pairing dark abstract florals with sumptuous accessories like velvet, padded headbands, shoulder-skimming earrings, or suede pumps.
Shop Similar: AQUA Paisley Print Tiered Maxi Dress, $103 (Originally $128), and Lele Sadoughi Jet Velvet Scalloped Headband, $85.

Pair Muted and Neon

Sage green is a trending wedding guest color this spring — number seven out of 10 according to Google Trends, to be exact — and we love how this soft shade pairs with vibrant neon orange and pink. To make the most of this muted color, try slipping into a slinky maxi dress and then creating contrast with a strappy sandal and a structured mini bag.
Shop Similar: Reformation Casette Silk Dress, $328, and Schutz Bryce Leather Lace-Up Sandals, $128

Try Glamorous Gloves

Opera gloves took over the fashion world last fall and winter and their elevated springtime sibling, the driving glove, is a perfect accessory for a sequined dress. It's rare to find a look that checks off both the "fresh" and "formal" boxes, especially for a springtime wedding, so if you've got a black-tie wedding on your schedule this season, do yourself a favor and add this look to your mood board stat.
Shop Similar: Mac Duggal Sequin Flutter Sleeve Tulle Gown, $698, and Claudette Unlined Leather Gloves in Sky Blue, $160.

Cultivate an Old Hollywood Vibe

Who says you can't wear black to a warm-weather wedding? The key is, simply, how you wear it. Pairing a classic, Old Hollywood silhouette like a curve-hugging, off-the-shoulder midi dress with a purse or clutch that has just the faintest hint of springtime saturation — think lemonade yellow or rosépink — is an A+ wedding guest look.
Shop Similar: Club L London Gratitude Off The Shoulder Black Velvet Midi Dress, $88

Go All Out with Ruffles

If you do adore pastels and delicate floral prints, we salute you. There's no reason not to embrace sunny pink patterns and soft, seasonal colors as a spring wedding guest. If you're looking for a fresh way to wear pastel florals, don't worry about turning up the volume to 11. A sumptuous high-low hemline dripping with tulle ruffles is a statement maker that'll only benefit from accessories that deliver the same extra energy, like rhinestone-studded heels and glittering diamond tennis bracelets.
Shop Similar: Needle & Thread Iris Ruffle Ballerina Dress, $569

Embrace Elevated Fringe

Crochet is having a moment this spring and summer and, paired with a fringe hemline, the trend can be utterly elevated far beyond beach coverup status. To play up the quiet luxury of a crochet midi dress as a spring wedding dress style, try pairing a neutral dress in black or cream with a pair of strappy sandals in a rich jewel tone.
Shop Similar: Christopher Esber Crochet Fringe Strapless Dress, $522 (Originally $870)

Try Earth Tones

Orange is the number-one trending wedding guest color right now, and we couldn't be happier to see it. Rich orange plays nice with all skin tones. Trust us, you just have to find the right shade: Once you've landed on the shade of orange that brings out your inner glow, be it ochre, marigold, tiger's eye, clay, or tangerine, follow it to your fave silhouette and call it a day.
Shop Similar: Peony Tie Back Midi Dress, $440

Play with Corsetry

Corset styles are here to stay, and we love the way boning can elevate and break up a floral print. If you're hoping to rock a corset to your next spring wedding, we recommend sticking with the dark floral theme and opting for a tropical floral print that features black, navy, or deep green heavily throughout.
Shop Similar: Lulus Symphony Black Floral Satin Strapless Bustier Dress, $79.

Mix Prints

If you prefer a shorter hemline, try picking out a bold, patchwork print. Elevated mixed prints are an art form unto themselves, so be sure to keep the accessories neutral for this spring wedding dress style: White, silver, or nude shoes and accessories will make the whole thing pop.
Shop Similar: Zimmerman Clover Floral Patchwork Mini Dress, $750

Go for a Vintage Vibe

Another floral look we can't quit is a vintage-inspired print in a midi silhouette. If the print is bright and busy, try to pair the dress with nude pumps — a trending color, according to Google Trends — and a Barbiecore pink handbag.
Shop: Caroline Herrera Off Shoulder Floral Print Midi Dress with Belt, $2,290

Show a Little Leg

We all love showing off a bit of leg, but there's a tasteful way to put some skin in the game, as it were. One way to add a layer of wedding-appropriate gravitas to a dress with a thigh-skimming slit is to look for one edged with delicate, feminine touches like embroidery or beading.
Shop Similar: Oscar de la Renta Floral Sequin Embroidered Gown, $8,990

Elevate a Sultry Fave

The slip dress is timeless for a reason, and a spring wedding is a perfect time to slip on a shawl and get your slink on. This is another wedding guest dress style that benefits from a longer hemline — midi or maxi length is ideal. We recommend looking for contrasting details in lace along the neckline and bodice, and unexpected shades (in other words: You don't want to look like you're actually wearing lingerie). Vibrant citrus hues like chartreuse or lime are vivid and delightful, but deeper tones like ocher and aubergine are equally refreshing. For accessories, opt for contrast courtesy of a metallic clutch and pendant jewelry.
Shop Similar: Victoria Beckham Lace Panel Column Cami Dress, $1,790