These days, spring weddings can mean many things. It can involve jetting off to a sophisticated European destination, or spending a weekend in the countryside, or heading to a town hall before celebrating the nuptials in a pub garden. Whatever the event specifics may be, the combination of the change of season and toasting to new chapters makes spring weddings feel especially celebratory. And what better way to mark the occasion than with a new dress?
Finding a new dress to toast to the happy couple may be exciting, but it can also prove to be pretty daunting. That’s why I’ve done the work for you and pulled together some of the very best.
Here’s my thinking. Given the season, I’m picturing gorgeous colours and joyful prints, from spring-ready pastels to a thoroughly modern take on the classic floral design. This year, the coquettish aesthetic continues to stay on trend, meaning that you could also fully embrace the romance of the moment with a dress adorned with bows and frills.
But I’m also a firm believer that while a wedding is the perfect excuse to play dress up, you still want to stay true to your personal style. So if you’re more of an understated minimalist who typically veers away from colours, don’t feel like you have to go ultra-feminine just for the occasion. Forget the old rules—black is officially wedding appropriate, and you can still wear dark hues even on a spring day.
Plus, we know what British weather is like—temperamental, to say the least—so when it comes to silhouette and fabrics, you’re not bound to one in particular. That being said, my recommendation is to go for a more summer-appropriate dress that you can use for later weddings, and layer with a great jacket for cooler spring affairs.
Whatever the invite, whatever your personal aesthetic, I’m confident one of these on-trend-yet-timeless styles will serve you well.
1. Modern Slip
Style Notes: A slip is a wedding guest go-to, and for good reason. Incredibly versatile and undeniably chic, a slip can be styled with so many different accessories to create a fresh, gorgeous look.
Shop the Look:
REFORMATION
Aara Silk Dress
£348
This sky blue is so gorgeous, especially contrasted with this white lace.
LA LIGNE
Boudoir Open-Back Satin Maxi Dress
£365
Brown is a season-less colour, and this dress will serve you well all year long.
FAITHFULL THE BRAND
+ Net Sustain Santiana Lenzing™ Ecovero™-Satin Maxi Dress
£289
This could work for so many different wedding settings.
& OTHER STORIES
Slim Satin Midi Dress
£97
Barbiecore at its best.
ALICE + OLIVIA
Harmony Asymmetric Draped Satin-Crepe Dress
£390£215
The asymmetric hem is just so good.
GHOST
Chloe Satin Midi Dress
£175
Butter yellow is a top trending hue this year.
2. Fresh Florals
Style Notes: Florals for spring really can be groundbreaking if you embrace the modern look. From OTT graphic prints to vintage-inspired designs, these dresses do all the work for you.
Shop the Look:
RIXO
Emory in Fontainhas Floral Red
£525
RIXO always have a cool take on vintage-inspired looks, and I love the Seventies vibe of this maxi.
ANTHROPOLOGIE
The Fleur Strapless Satin Maxi Slip Dress
£128
This dress will have everyone talking.
REALISATION PAR
The Gia in Havana
£265
Tamara’s exact dress—it’s an influencer favourite.
RIXO
Pia in Bloom Black
£345
Style with black strappy sandals and some Art Deco-inspired gold earrings.
EMILIA WICKSTEAD
Adalina Strapless Floral-Print Taffeta-Faille Midi Dress
£1595
This dress is pure Carrie Bradshaw.
KITRI
Megan Pistachio Tulip Jacquard Maxi Dress
£215
Perfect for cooler spring days.
3. Pastel Hues
Style Notes: If ever there’s a time to wear pastel tones, it’s spring. These soft colours are appealing even for the typically colour-phobic (myself included). Keep things light by pairing with white or nude accessories, or go a bit edgier with black statement pieces.
Shop the Look:
CECILE BAHNSEN
Valentina One-Shoulder Bow-Detailed Cotton-Poplin Dress
£960
I’m such a fan of Cecile Bahnsen’s playful designs.
NOBODY’S CHILD
Yellow Ditsy Floral Bandeau Felicity Midi Dress
£89
This butter yellow, ditsy floral dress is such a dream.
MANGO
Satin Dress With Open Back
£250
The exposed back makes this high street gown look extra elevated.
REFORMATION
Tancy Dress
£178
Style with Mary Jane heels for a sleek retro look.
BARDOT
X Revolve Aradia Maxi Dress
£150
Such a romantic wedding guest dress.
VICTORIA BECKHAM
Gathered Midi Dress
£920
The dropped waist is so elegant.
4. Coquette
Style Notes: Where a few years ago everyone was embracing cottage-core, this year is all about the coquette aesthetic. Bows, frills and vintage-inspired floral and lace details are all the touches that nod to the look. Go all-out coquette by styling with ballet flats or block heeled sandals.
Shop the Look:
SALONI
Anais Ruffled Tulle-Trimmed Velvet Midi Dress
£595
Obsessed with this colour combination.
REFORMATION
Mayme Dress
£298
The most romanic dress—perfect for a wedding.
DÔEN
Tahlia Lace-Trimmed Floral-Print Silk-Charmeuse Midi Dress
£503
DÔEN are masters of elevating the coquettish look.
SELF-PORTRAIT
Taffeta Midi Dress
£340
This dress is a great entry point for the coquette aesthetic, with the voluminous skirt and miniature bow detail.
SELKIE
Selkie the Poet Slip Dress
£348
While you could style this with heels, it would also look great with black ballet flats.
BY ANTHROPOLOGIE
By Anthropologie Lacy Cowl-Neck Asymmetrical Midi Slip Dress
£148
The slip-coquette dress crossover.
5. Dark Romance
Style Notes: Yes, you really can wear black to a wedding—even a spring wedding. Keep it wedding and spring weather-appropriate by opting for elegant silhouettes and romantic touches. If you can’t get on board with black, there are other deep tones you can embrace, from plum purple to rich browns.
Shop the Look:
REFORMATION
Amaris Dress
£428
The polka dot pattern and lace trim make this more than appropriate for a wedding guest.
CHRISTOPHER ESBER
Triquetra Cutout Silk-Satin Maxi Dress
£865
Style with strappy heels and a box clutch.
REFORMATION
Casette Silk Dress
£348
The high neckline and exposed back makes this extra special.
GALVAN
Pandora Satin Halterneck Maxi Dress
£895
I’m such a fan of Galvan satin dresses —they fall so beautifully.
RIXO
Annina in Black
£295
As the styling here proves, this dress still looks elevated when paired with flats.
NOBODY’S CHILD
Black One Shoulder Katty Maxi Dress
£110
No one would believe this is a high street find.
6. Black-Tie Gowns
Style Notes: When the dress code is black tie, you can really flex your fashion muscle. Slinky or structured, soft shades or electric hues, the options are endless.
Shop the Look:
MANGO
Asymmetric Straps Dress
£100
I’m so impressed by Mango’s evening wear styles this season.
MAGDA BUTRYM
Floral-Appliquéd Satin-Jersey Dress
£2430
I love absolutely everything about this dress.
REFORMATION
Ronda Silk Dress
£598
This reminds me of Kate Hudson’s iconic dress in How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days.
COS
The V-Neck Linen Maxi Dress
£200
This bright orange linen gown is perfect for a destination black tie wedding.
SELF-PORTRAIT
Embellished Gathered Stretch-Tulle Gown
£595
If you want a little sparkle, this is the dress for you.
SALONI
Chandra Ruffled Plissé Silk-Georgette Maxi Dress
£795
Style with gold heels and jewellery for an outstanding outfit.
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