• M&S £189
• John Lewis £189

Ro&Z pintuck floral dress

This corset-style maxidress toes the line between classic floral romance and modern minimalism. Its sunlit palette feels effortless in garden settings, while the structured bodice lends a flattering shape without being suffocating. Keep accessories simple: a small clutch and delicate sandals leave this dress as the hero of your summer wedding look. 

• Asos £110
• Nobody’s Child £110

Nobody’s Child pink polka dot dress

A wedding during peak summer heat calls for a dress that’s practical and stylish, and this one from Nobody’s Child is just that. The structured top complements the flowy skirt, and the cotton fabric won’t leave you overheating. It can be worn either with straps or without, and you won’t be worrying about pulling it up every few seconds thanks to the soft grip along the top seam. 

• Sika £239

Sika Finch dress

Handmade in Ghana from 100% cotton, this dress brings a more directional feel. The asymmetric cut shifts away from traditional occasion wear, opting for neons and stripes above wedding cliches such as florals or pastels. The lightweight nature of the fabric makes it ideal for outdoor ceremonies, too.

• Asos £110

Lace & Beads Plus tulle dress

Sunny yellow florals across layers of tulle give this maxidress an ethereal, playful air. With flowing balloon sleeves and a deep neckline, it’s the perfect balance of sweetness and formality. The length is also practical, allowing for flat shoes – often the smarter choice on grass.

• Mango £49.99

Mango flared cotton dress

This dress is all about the cut. The crisp, cotton fabric holds the shape of the skirt without collapsing, and the slightly flared waist nods to a corseted style without the restriction. In a soft green hue with a low back, it’s pared back but perfectly summer-wedding appropriate. Don’t be scared to wear statement accessories: a pair of chunky silver earrings would complement the cool green perfectly – this dress can take it. The size range (UK 6-14) is disappointingly small, however.

• M&S £48

M&S bubble hem dress

Available in petite, regular and tall, this warm olive dress is begging to be worn for a summer celebration (and beyond). Spending on occasion wear can feel silly if you’ll wear it only once or twice, but this dress is easily dressed up or down, so it won’t need to sit in the back of your wardrobe for the rest of the year.

• Kemi Telford £175

Kemi Telford belted dress

Made from a cotton poplin, this Kemi Telford dress offers a sharply tailored shape that’s balanced by its playful patterns. There’s the bonus of pockets, too. The black-and-white colour palette begs for a pop of colour in your accessories, and the structured shape means you can opt for a more casual flat without feeling underdressed.

• Reiss £158
• Next £158

Reiss satin asymmetric dress

Reiss excels at polished simplicity. This dress’s expensive-looking fabric and clean drapes are great for a more formal wedding. The muted olive tone feels considered, and the asymmetric draped sleeve introduces just enough movement to soften a rigid silhouette.

• Asos £225
• Revolve £265

For Love & Lemons taffeta dress

A classic, this black-and-white dress from For Love & Lemons is made from a crisp taffeta – the type of fabric that will froufrou as you walk. The monochrome is far from boring, with a deliberately sweet contrast from the bow detail at the front. It’s structured but not too serious – exactly the right balance for a civil ceremony.

• Dress £97.50 at Monsoon Monsoon £97.50
• Jacket £52.50 at Monsoon Monsoon £52.50

Monsoon fit and flare dress

Monsoon puff-sleeve bow jacket

A classic fit and flare will never fail. Comfortable, flattering and classic, the kind of dress that definitely won’t cause any last-minute outfit crises. In a radiant orange, the dropped waist detail and bubble hem subtly add a point of interest. Even better, you can also get a matching smart jacket.

• Abercrombie & Fitch £90

Abercrombie & Fitch drop-waist dress

The LBD (little black dress) championed by Coco Chanel in the 1920s remains a wardrobe staple for good reason. Eternally fashionable, this longer version from Abercrombie sits off the shoulders but comes with a practical built-in bra with removable padding. If you don’t want to make a statement but still want something that feels as special as the occasion, this dress fits the bill.

• Rixo £245
• Net-a-Porter £315

Rixo satin dress

This dress from Rixo has a vintage feel in a rustic rose hue. The delicate satin catches the light, but the blushed floral lace trim keeps it joyful. It’s reminiscent of a lingerie slip, but it transforms into a sleek staple paired with the right accessories. Combine with a black bag to contrast the softness of the dress.

• Reformation £278

Reformation silk dress

This sky blue shift dress has an airy elegance. It’s beautifully pared back while retaining the formality needed for a wedding, in a silk charmeuse with a monochromatic lace trim. Pair it with minimal jewellery and let the fabric do the talking.

• Free People £98

Free People midi dress

You may have heard of bubble skirts, but maybe not bubble sleeves. This midi is a down-to-earth green, a shade aptly named “avocado oil”. The dramatic sleeves work well with the circle skirt to accentuate your waist. Completed with a playful bow at the front, this dress feels carefree, made for dancing into the evening.

• House of CB £199

House of CB sundress

House of CB knows how to do occasion wear that brings the occasion. The brand’s signature ditsy floral prints feel at home in the countryside. The structured square neckline keeps it modern, contrasted by the billowing skirt. Additionally, House of CB offers the option to customise the cup size to achieve the perfect fit.

• Whistles £229

Whistles chocolate ruffle maxidress

Earthy tones work wonders outdoors, and this chocolate brown polka dot dress from Whistles proves it. Tiered ruffle details keep the silhouette playful, while the lightweight fabric means it won’t leave you feeling uncomfortable by the end of the night.

• Rat & Boa £275

Rat & Boa Giada dress

When you think of black tie, this is the type of dress that might come to mind. In a timeless halterneck, the fluid fabric falls in a long, uninterrupted line. Crafted from a plant-based silk alternative made from wood pulp, it doesn’t feel overly glossy. It’s the kind of dress that works just as well now as it will in a few years’ time. Take a leaf out of Schiaparelli’s book and pair this with gold accessories for maximum impact.

• Wolf & Badger £240

Lamide Sadipe Celestia dress

Nigerian designer Lamide Sadipe nails occasion wear that isn’t shy to experiment with colour. The aqua blue is a welcome break from the usual sea of dark tones at a black tie event, while the twist-front detail adds shape without overcomplicating things. With a removable mesh panel, you can tweak the style to suit your mood, too.

• Omnes £110
• Asos £110

Omnes Arles dress

Party-ready and planet-friendly, this dress from Omnes is made from recycled fabrics in a soft-gloss satin. It has a classic twisted-neck halter and is available in multiple colours, so there’s something for everyone. The skimming cut means it won’t cling on to anything you don’t want to accentuate, either.

• Club L London £135

Club L London high-neck jumpsuit

Classic with a twist, this jumpsuit’s take on black-tie is slightly more playful. The asymmetric cape detail is effortless, but the clean crew cut means it’s not overly fussy. It’s slightly unexpected, which is often exactly what works in a room full of dresses.

• Topshop £65
• Asos £65

Topshop ruffle slip

This maxi green slip mixes fabrics and ruffles to add subtle personality. The fluid cut is relaxed but still polished. With a matching necktie, jewellery is optional here, giving you one less thing to worry about on the day.

• Zara £35.99

Zara dress with ties

An airy cut in a dress signals cool comfort. This bright red midi has a casual but still elevated charm, keeping it stylishly informal. The pop of colour gives it just enough presence to still feel like you’ve made the effort.

• Asos £48.50
• & Other Stories £97

& Other Stories wrap dress

In breathable linen, the waist-tie detail of this dress adds structure, while the rest of the dress stays relaxed. It’s polished enough for a wedding, but won’t feel out of place at a more casual event.

• Top £97 at John Lewis John Lewis £97
• Trousers £122.50 at John Lewis Traffic People £122.50

Traffic People top

Traffic People wide-leg trousers

Separates come into their own when a dress code is laid-back. This flowy set from London brand Traffic People has a relaxed shape, but the shine from the fabric snaps it back to life. The wide leg brings wedding-level drama, but the monochromatic matching blouse keeps it grounded.

• M&S £30

M&S ruched tea dress

A tea dress brings an easy elegance. The gentle ruching adds shape, while the midi length adds a touch of formality. It reads comfortable, wearable, and with the polka dot print, reliably stylish.

• Asos £169

Bardot drop-waist skirt co-ord

For a more casual affair, a statement skirt can hold its own just as much as a dress. The dropped waist gives it a relaxed, vintage ease, complemented by the soft hue. Paired with a plain blouse or crisp shirt, it will feel intentional without tipping into formality.

• Never Fully Dressed £129
• Fenwick £129

Never Fully Dressed abstract dress

This dress manages to feel relaxed without veering into casual. The silhouette is loose and fluid, so it won’t cling to you in heat, but the subtle gold flecks catch the light, giving it just enough of an occasion feel. It’s ideal for settings where the line between beach and formal is blurred.

• Pink City Prints £180

Pink City Prints neon peacock dress

Designed to bask in the sunshine, this cotton dress from Pink City Prints is meticulously block-printed by hand. The empire cut gives it shape while the busy print carries the look, meaning you can keep everything else pared back.

• Asos £100

Daska chiffon cowl neck maxidress

Long sleeves may not scream destination wedding, but the flared mesh sleeves on this dress add extra coverage without adding extra heat. With a subtle cowl neck, the tiered frills create soft movement in a relatively simple cut. The relaxed fit makes it particularly suited to beach or outdoor ceremonies.

• Asos £42

Asos Design halterneck maxidress

This maxi leans into sunset hues that work perfectly for an evening ceremony abroad. The beaded straps add an ounce of occasion, while the fit means you can dance with no restriction all night long.