What to Wear to a Wedding as a Guest: Daytime Dress Ideas

Being asked to a wedding is lovely. Deciding what to wear is the harder part. Most wedding events are not the main ceremony: they are the haldi, the mehendi, the engagement lunch, the family get-together and the daytime function. For those, you want something festive but comfortable that you can sit, eat and dance in for hours. Here is how to choose, with a few picks from our collection.

A quick note: our dresses are easy, feminine day dresses, not formal evening gowns or occasion wear. They suit relaxed and daytime wedding events best. For a formal evening reception, you may want something dressier.

1. Choose a colour that does not compete with the bride

Skip white, ivory and anything close to bridal red. Soft pastels, lavenders, blues, sages and warm florals look festive and are always safe. Lavender is a good example: it feels dressy and gentle at the same time.

Try: The Wisteria Embroidered A-Line Midi Dress in Lavender, a lavender cotton linen dress with all-over floral embroidery and a cotton lace hem. It pairs well with gold jewellery and neutral flats.

2. Pick a floral for a daytime function

A floral midi in a flowy fabric looks right at a daytime event and photographs beautifully. Look for a fitted waist, a swingy skirt and sleeves that cover your shoulders.

Try: The Magnolia Floral Fit & Flare Midi Dress in Beige, a chiffon dress with three-quarter balloon sleeves and a frilled hem. Add nude strappy heels and delicate gold jewellery.

3. Go for a bold print at a casual or garden-style event

For a mehendi or an outdoor lunch, a bright garden print feels cheerful and fits the mood.

Try: The Zinnia Floral Flutter-Sleeve Tiered Midi Dress in Multicolour, a chiffon dress in a bright floral print with flutter sleeves and a tiered hem. Wooden bangles and block heels finish the look.

Practical tips for wedding guests

• Think about the venue. Grass or sand does not suit stiletto heels. Block heels or flat sandals are easier.
• Choose a length you can sit and move in. A midi is comfortable for sitting on the floor, dancing and climbing steps.
• Plan the shoulders. Sleeves are helpful for temples and traditional ceremonies, and you can add a light stole.
• Look for pockets if you want your phone close by.
• Check the fit with our Size & Fit Guide well before the event, so there is time to exchange if needed.

Related reading: What to Wear on a Date Night and How to Style a Floral Dress: 5 Easy Looks

Browse more in our Midi Dresses collection or the full Dresses collection.