12 Best Cocktail Dresses for Wedding Guests

12 Best Cocktail Dresses for Wedding Guests

December 23, 2022
By Katerina Katakalides

Read more and get $30 OFF our dresses with a FREE Queenly account

Wedding season is here and it’s time to build your wedding guest closet! Cocktail attire is one of the most common dress codes you’ll find at any celebration, so making sure you have cute cocktail dresses on hand is one of the best things you can do. Even though you might already have a few dresses hanging in your closet, wedding guest style is slightly different than your average outfits. Of course, you’ll want to avoid anything white, but there are a few other things you’ll want to keep in mind when picking out your cocktail dress.

Always remember, weddings are formal events. Unless the invitation specifies otherwise, you should dress to impress. Couples typically put a lot of time, effort, and resources into planning their dream wedding, so you want to make sure you show them respect through your attire. Rather than stick out like a sore thumb in an outdated, informal outfit, you’ll want to wear an outfit that is cohesive with the overall wedding theme. This means it’s time to ditch that casual cocktail dress and step into something a bit more formal!

Other things you’ll want to consider when choosing a wedding-appropriate cocktail dress are the silhouette, length, and style. While a figure-hugging bodycon might be perfect for a night out on the town, it might be too much of a “club vibe” for a wedding guest. Although cocktail attire means you’ll be wearing a short skirt, you should refrain from showing too much skin, as weddings are still formal, elegant events.

Overall, the cocktail dress you wear as a wedding guest should be exactly that: a wedding-appropriate cocktail dress. While you might have cute dresses in your closet that are perfect for clubbing, brunch dates, and casual parties, you’ll need to amp up the elegance when attending a wedding. Even if you forget what you wore years down the line, the married couple will see you in their wedding photos for decades to come. So don’t shy away from that classy cocktail dress you see listed on Queenly. You, and everyone in attendance, will thank us later!

Now that you know how to choose the perfect cocktail dress to wear as a wedding guest, it’s time to start your search! These twelve dresses are ideal options for any cocktail attire weddings you’ll be attending. Once you find your favorite, snatch it up before it’s gone! Wedding season is in full swing, so you’ll want to be ready for all the invitations that will pile up at your door!

Hot Pink Satin Cocktail Dress
This Ashley Lauren cocktail dress is the perfect option for a springtime wedding guest. While it’s common practice to avoid colors that are too bright, such as neon shades, this bold shade of fuschia is eye-catching without being distracting. The deep-v neckline and peplum silhouette make this dress the perfect combination of trendy and elegant- the ideal balance for any wedding guest!

Black Strapless Cocktail Dress with Ruffled Skirt
This strapless cocktail dress by Jadore is one of the trendiest we’ve seen yet! The modified sweetheart neckline sits on top of a structured bodice to give it an alluring silhouette. The skirt is absolutely covered in intricate ruffles that add a layer of dimension to the overall look. In combination with the knee-length cut, these ruffles make this skirt have the structure of a look we all love: ball gowns.

Black Off the Shoulder Boho Cocktail Dress
Bohemian-themed weddings are a popular choice for free-spirited brides who want a laid-back, but beautiful wedding. This off-the-shoulder cocktail dress features a lace neckline, criss cross spaghetti straps, and sheer sleeves, which will add so much fun movement as you hit the dance floor. You better be ready to shake it in this minute cocktail dress!

Blue Floral One Shoulder Cocktail Dress
There’s no denying that this Mac Duggal dress is unique, but you can be certain that nobody will be wearing anything like it! This one-of-a-kind, navy lace dress features intricate floral embroidery, a ruffled sleeve, and a rhinestone belt. There’s no other piece like this one, so this is the perfect cocktail dress to wear to a wedding like no other!

Metallic Red Off the Shoulder Cocktail Dress
Don’t worry about sacrificing elegance in a cocktail dress! The silhouette on this metallic red cocktail dress includes a deep-v neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves, making this a high glam look. The subtle vertical banding and ruching at the waist gives the illusion of a structured silhouette without making this dress feel too stuffy.

Black A-line Cocktail Dress
A Little Black Dress, better known as an LBD, is something every woman should have in her closet! This classic choice can be worn to many occasions, but it’s an especially popular option to wear for cocktail attire weddings. This LBD features three rhinestone belts and delicate banding across the entire dress, making it anything but simple. Even though you’ll be in an LBD, your dress is sure to stand out!

Long Sleeve Gold Sequin Cocktail Dress
Shimmer and shine all night long in this completely sequined cocktail dress designed by Mac Duggal. This metallic fabric is both elegant and eye-catching, which makes it the perfect balance for a wedding guest dress. Although this dress features a figure-hugging silhouette, the long sleeves and asymmetrical design add just enough elegance to make it ideal for an evening wedding.

Black One Sleeve Cocktail Dress
This black Ieena for Mac Duggal cocktail dress is a chic choice for any wedding where “cocktail attire” is required. The asymmetric, one-shoulder neckline features a single puff shoulder long sleeve. This, in combination with the all-over rhinestone embellishments, make this look glamorous, yet sophisticated.

Navy Blue Strapless Cocktail Dress
Two words: delicate elegance. This navy blue Jadore cocktail dress features a strapless, sweetheart silhouette and three-dimensional floral embroidery. The unique floral overlay and high-low skirt make this gown eye-catchingly elegant and the perfect pick for a classy cocktail reception.

Gold Asymmetrical Cocktail Dress
Asymmetrical designs are the best way to stay on-trend while staying unique. This gold Terani Couture cocktail dress has a metallic, geometric design on one side and a sheer overlay with a rhinestone belt on the other. This unique style will stand out from every other wedding guest look, so don’t be afraid to go for this high-fashion take on asymmetrical designs.

Black Cocktail Dress with Rhinestone Belt
Cocktail attire doesn’t have to be over the top! This black cocktail dress is a timeless style that is simple, but beautiful. The deep-v neckline and rhinestone belt add eye-catching details to this silhouette that make it formal enough for a wedding without being too distracting.

Navy Blue One Shoulder Cocktail Dress with Feathers
Feathers have been one of the most popular trends of 2022 and it's about time you incorporated them into your wedding guest wardrobe! This one-shoulder cocktail dress has eye-catching feathers along the neckline, adding an element of Hollywood glamor to the overall design. Just think about how much fun you’ll have dancing around while your feathers are bouncing around.

Get the app.

One girl's dress is another girl's treasure.

Apple App Store LogoGoogle Play Store Logo
Get the Queenly app on iPhone or Android
Contact Us
880 Harrison St Suite 204
San Francisco, CA 94107
Mon-Fri 9am-8pm PST
Sat-Sun 11am-5pm PST

Contact Us
Terms of ServicePrivacy PolicyReturn PolicyCookies PolicyCopyrightShipping InfoPayment Methods Accepted
DMCA.com Protection Status