Categories: fashion & styleways to wear

17 Last Minute Wedding Guest Outfit Ideas (Without Spending a Fortune)

Although it’ll be August tomorrow, we’re still in wedding season. And if, like me, you’ve had a last minute wedding invitation, you may find you get a bit stressed about what to wear. I find that with plenty of notice I tend to build up to the big day – I know it’s not my wedding but I still get excited about what I’m going to wear – and like to plan ahead. However, a last minute invite is enough to make even the most hardened wedding-goer resort to panic mode.

I’ve put together 17 outfits (I could have done more to be honest!) that are all from my outfit archives that I think are great last minute wedding guest outfit ideas. It’s not so much about copying the outfits exactly (though of course you can recreate them if you wish), but this post is really providing some clever ideas on how to make things that you already own work for you.

I always maintain you should borrow accessories or shoes if you can, rather than buy new, or else buy things – but only if you know you’ll wear it again.

I’ve also shown the same dresses twice in some of them to show you how you can wear the same dress you bought to wear to that wedding in June to another wedding in September… it’s all in the accessorising!

Let me know if you find these tips useful – and if you still have a wedding to go to this year, what are you planning to wear? Let me know!

1. Accessorise a solid-colour dress

Original posts, L-R: 1, 2, 3

I know that my dresses are pretty much an identical style but two different colours, but this works for any one-colour dress: Dress it up with really bold accessories. Take a plain dress you already own and either borrow a bold belt, clutch or shoes from your sister, friend, etc. or simply go sale shopping and grab yourself a bargain.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get great-looking accessories. My top picks of retailers that sell reasonably priced accessories are , Asos, New Look, River Island and Forever 21.

Shop great clutches (all under £40):

2. Choose a basic skirt and top and add great accessories

Original posts, L-R: 1, 2, 3

This is probably the easiest wedding guest outfit to put together at the last minute: Take one skirt and one top, add shoes, a clutch and a fabulous necklace or hairpiece/hat – and you’re done.

Although the middle outfit is actually a dress, it shows that a really pretty top with a skirt that has some interesting detailing to it – in this case a ruffle – works beautifully as a wedding guest outfit. Depending on the weather you may or may not want to add patterned tights. A plain top dressed up with a statement necklace will always look fabulous, and don’t be afraid to create the illusion of a dress by wearing a top and skirt in similar colours.

It’s the same principle as wearing a solid colour dress but it saves you buying something new.

Shop great necklaces (all £20 or less):

3. Let an all over bold print dress do all the talking

Original posts, L-R: 1, 2, 3, 4

This is an easy choice (and probably the most popular) for a wedding: A bold all-over print dress. There’s not much you need to do to dress it up, but here are a few ideas.

Add a statement necklace and wear your hair in a fancy up-do or braid instead of wearing a hat. A statement necklace always adds some glamour.
DIY some plain shoes to make them co-ordinate with the colour of your dress better.
Depending on the weather, add a shrug (fur if it’s winter), patterned tights, and/or DIY a hairpiece or fascinator.
Add a contrasting bag to a neutral-coloured dress (this yellow one is a bit too big for a wedding but you get the idea).

Shop great hair accessories and fascinators:

4. Creative evening reception outfit options

Original posts, L-R: 1, 2, 3, 4

Evening receptions are a little easier to dress for. You’re not going to church or a town hall – you’re basically there for the party, so dress accordingly. Skip the hat and wear something that you can dance all night in.

The maxi skirt/cardigan outfit on the left is one I actually wore to an evening reception a few years ago and it was thrown together at the last minute. If you’re going for a skirt and top combo add lots of interesting textures and details with contrasting fabrics and accessories.

In two of these outfits I’ve worn a dress layered over trousers – a big no-no for an invite to the whole day but I think it’s perfectly acceptable for an evening-only invite. If you’re not keen on showing your knees but your friend has the perfect short dress you can borrow, layer it with a pair of smart trousers (cropped ones work best). Add heels and a necklace and you’re done.

Shop great heels:

5. Wear vintage to avoid wearing the same as someone else

Original posts, L-R: 1, 2, 3

The great thing about wearing vintage to a wedding is that there’s no chance of you turning up in the same dress as someone else. I’ve styled my fruit-patterned midi with brightly-coloured accessories – including some flower corsages in my hair (instead of a hat) – and then with a simple belt and fabulous chandelier earrings.

The black poppy-print dress was originally a maxi but I cut it to a midi length. Unless you’ve bought an Ossie Clark, don’t be afraid to alter vintage clothing to suit you. I usually scour eBay for vintage dresses (read my tips on how to shop for vintage on eBay) and I love The House of Pandora and Beyond Retro for curated pieces.

Shop great belts:

6. Go maxi with a floppy hat for a casual or beach wedding

Original posts: L, R

Instead of wearing the same dress twice you can always wear the same hat twice – and a big floppy sun hat is perfect for a beach or casual summer wedding. Wearing your simple maxi dress and a big hat is always stylish and the addition of accessories such as bold belts or bags always add a little extra something.

Shop great floppy hats:

Hope these outfits have given you some ideas – let me know what you think in the comments!

P.S. Some of these outfits are “missing” bags but that’s because they weren’t worn for a wedding at the time. I’d always add a fabulous clutch for both practical and style reasons.
P.P.S. Like this post? You might also enjoy my Wedding Guest Outfit series I did a little while back!