Choosing the perfect wedding guest dress can be a sartorial challenge on its own. But when that wedding takes place in a faraway destination, say, on a sun-drenched Mediterranean cliff or in a lush South American garden, the dress code suddenly becomes a bit more nuanced. It’s no longer just about finding something festive and flattering; your outfit has to match the mood, climate, and cultural feel of the destination, too.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Destination Wedding Guest Dresses
Destination weddings often call for a more playful, expressive approach to dressing. Think vibrant colors, painterly prints, and breezy, voluminous silhouettes that move effortlessly with every gust of wind or dance floor twirl (just make sure to consider grass- and sand-friendly shoes to complete your dress.) Whether you’re attending a barefoot beach ceremony, a countryside garden party, or a black-tie city soirée, the key is to let the destination guide your look.
Countryside
A countryside wedding calls for relaxed elegance: think romantic florals, soft colors, and silhouettes that feel polished but not overly formal. Few do countryside-chic quite like Antwerp-based Bernadette, known for its sculptural details and vivid prints. Dôen offers vintage-inspired charm at a gentler price, while J.Crew continues to excel at modern floral dresses with timeless appeal. Footwear tip: grass and gravel paths make block heels or pretty flats your best bet.
Euro-Summer
A wedding in a stylish European city be it Paris, Rome, or Madrid, calls for a look that’s polished, elegant, and just a touch fashion-forward. It’s your chance to dress up and have fun with elevated textures and standout details. Go for a sequinned number from Alémais, or lean into bold color with Saint Laurent’s lace mini. Dries Van Noten’s signature printed dresses always deliver effortless sophistication, and even high-street picks like this mirror-embellished lace number from Zara can hold their own with the right accessories.
Mediterranean
Weddings along the Mediterranean, be it on the Amalfi Coast, the Greek islands, or in the South of France, call for relaxed elegance with a dramatic edge. Bold colors like yellow, coral, or aqua blue set the tone, with standout pieces from Jacquemus or Kallmeyer. For evening affairs, a sleek satin dress like the one from Italian label The Attico delivers just the right amount of drama.
Summer Mountains
A summer wedding in the mountains might lend itself to darker, moodier florals with earth tones and heavier fabrics. Cara Cara nails this aesthetic with the perfect earthy florals, while Prada’s latest spring collection offers a slew of investment-worthy dresses to take you from best-dressed wedding guest in nature to a cocktail event in the city.
Tropical
For beach weddings, whether in the Caribbean or Bali, you’ll want a dress that can both handle and mimic the sun, sand, and sea breeze. Think lightweight fabrics like linen, cotton voile, or chiffon, and easy, unstructured silhouettes. Sunset hues and prints—Farm Rio does them particularly well—capture the mood perfectly. And if one style says “chic beach guest,” it’s the halter dress. Proenza Schouler and Johanna Ortiz both offer standout options.
South America
For weddings in South America, lean into warm tones and vibrant prints: florals, abstract patterns, and lively motifs featured in dresses from brands like Zimmermann, La DoubleJ and Cala de la Cruz all work beautifully. A flowy maxi dress is ideal: Isabel Marant makes a breathable, dramatic one that is made for movement (and humidity). Finish the look with statement earrings for a maximalist look.
City
For a minimalist yet chic city wedding, think elevated eveningwear—long satin dresses like this halter maxi from Massimo Dutti will do the trick, as would a modern black-tie silhouette like Toteme’s black scarf-dress. Accessories make all the difference, choose refined heels, a structured clutch or evening bag, and the right amount of understated jewelry.
