Before you start shopping, it’s essential to understand the dress code. The wedding invitation often specifies if the event calls for cocktail attire, formal evening wear, or something else.

For a formal affair, a classic evening dress may be the best fit so look for full length maxi dresses.

Cocktail attire on the other hand, can be more playful. Knee-length skirts are more typical for cocktail dresses, and becoming increasingly popular, are cocktail pants suits for ladies wedding attire.

The venue can significantly influence your outfit choice. An indoor wedding at a luxury hotel typically requires more formal attire, such as a chic evening dress or elegant cocktail dress.

Conversely, an outdoor beach or garden wedding calls for more relaxed options. For these settings, consider a wrap dress, separates or a stylish pant suit that accommodates the casual atmosphere.

Also consider the practical requirements like footwear with heels that won't sink into soft ground; or a jacket that protects from the sun or wards off the evening chill.

Outfits For Day Weddings vs. Outifts For Evening Weddings

The time of the wedding also affects your outfit choice. Evening weddings, especially those held late in the day, often have a cocktail party vibe. Even if the dress code isn’t specified, opting for evening wear or cocktail attire can be a stylish choice.

Taking inspiration from the location of the wedding is the best way to ensure that as a wedding guest, you arrive looking en pointe.

For a garden wedding, think about wearing a floral print dress or separates that complement the venue's natural beauty. It needn't be as literal as floral prints, think of all the pretty shades and pastel tones that can bloom together.

For a beach wedding, opt for wedding guest dress with a midi hemline or above. Maxi dresses can collect sand and become cumbersome. Instead, look for wedding guest dresses, skirts or culottes with calf/midi hemlines. And if you want to channel that boho vibe, go for a ruffle hem instead of a full length skirt.

The colourful Rainbow Zebra print of the Portia Dress (pictured) is a great option for outdoor weddings. Its pretty shades and vibrant print are perfect for the upbeat wedding mood. A functioning wrap dress, its stretch jersey fabrication is comfortable for all-day wear. Plus, this wrinkle resistant fabric makes it an easy dress to pack if you have to travel to the wedding.

Floral prints are a perennial favourite for wedding guest outfits. They really are an easy shortcut to creating a wedding-ready outfit! They capture the celebratory spirit of a wedding and can be an excellent choice for both cocktail and formal settings.

Whether you prefer bold, oversized florals or delicate, pastel patterns, there’s a floral print dress to suit every taste.

If you prefer plain colours or usually go for graphic prints, then craft your wedding outfit with oversized floral prints in bold colours like those of the Vintage Rose print on the Bettina Reversible Dress. The bigger the flowers, the more abstract and contemporary they become.

If you’re the mother of the bride or groom, you’ll likely want to stand out while still complementing the wedding’s formality.

A good mother-of-the-bride/groom outfit should reflect your personal style as much as your status.

Don't feel restricted by traditional notions of mother-of-the-bride dress styles. The wedding dress code and style of venue as well as your own personal style should be higher considerations.

Look for fabrics that will make you feel both beautiful and comfortable. A wedding can feel like a long day if you're constrained in restrictive clothing. Jersey fabric with its stretch qualities can be a good alternative.

There's plenty of printed, plain and even shimmer jersey options available, and they are not restricted to dresses either. Separates and pant suits make good mother of the bride and groom outfits too, again consider the stretch factor for easy all-day wear.

The crepe texture of our Scuba Crepe (see Jacket pictured) fabric is a great example of how sophisticated stretch fabrics can look. Pair with a printed wrap dress like the Emori Dress in Blue Hana or create a full suit look - the Benni Jacket pairs with the Aaron Midi Skirt, or as a pant suit with the Corbin Pant for versatile style options that you can wear beyond the big day.

If you're searching for plus size wedding guest outfits and are feeling disappointed with what you're seeing, change up your search. Try shopping for 'size inclusive' wedding guest dresses or outfits instead. Often this turns up more sophisticated results.

At L&F for example, we don't talk about our clothing as being 'plus size,' we have one inclusive size range of 8-24. Regardless of your body's curves, we treat women as people and not figures on a plus or minus scale. And our clothes actually fit!

You can read more about our size inclusive vs. plus size fashion here, but if you're simply shopping for wedding guest dresses for curvy figures then our Event Dresses are a great place to start.