When we receive a wedding invitation the surge of joy we feel for the bride and groom is quickly followed by a sinking sense of dread at the realisation we're going to have to go shopping for a suitable outfit.
Now, we're not suggesting that as guests we're under quite the same level of pressure to find the perfect dress as the bride herself, but none-the-less it is a shopping minefield.
You need something elegant, but not stuffy; comfortable but not frumpy; hot but not sweaty; attention grabbing, but not try hard; and in which you're going to feel and look wonderful from day-to-night.
In short, it's a tall order!
The worst possible thing you can do is panic buy - you'll only end up spending the entire day trying to slink to the back of all photo ops.
So to make life easier we asked fashion buyers to provide us with their insiders' guide to what to wear to a summer wedding this year:
Buyers Recommend: Summer Wedding Guest Outfits For Women
River Island(01 of08)
Sam Parsley, womenswear buying manager at River Island:
"The key to picking your wedding guest outfit is all about choosing simple shapes with this seasons necklines, whether that be in a bright, eye catching coral or a to-die-for floral print. Layer with this seasons must have item, a white blazer, and you can slip from day to dance floor in one outfit. Add a cute bag to keep all your necessities in and a pair of statement heels, and your good to go”.
1. Blue floral print skater dress, £65.
2. White ruched sleeve blazed, £55.
3. Light blue snake print bow bag, £20. (credit:River Island)
"The key to picking your wedding guest outfit is all about choosing simple shapes with this seasons necklines, whether that be in a bright, eye catching coral or a to-die-for floral print. Layer with this seasons must have item, a white blazer, and you can slip from day to dance floor in one outfit. Add a cute bag to keep all your necessities in and a pair of statement heels, and your good to go”.
1. Blue floral print skater dress, £65.
2. White ruched sleeve blazed, £55.
3. Light blue snake print bow bag, £20. (credit:River Island)
REISS(02 of08)
Katya Drummond, head of buying and merchandising at REISS:
“Go for relaxed glamour with a touch of colour in a printed maxi dress. Soft prints photograph well and create an impact without over shadowing the main event. Add a touch of shine with a mirrored clutch.”
1. Arleta, flora-print maxi dress, coral, £225.
2. Portia, mirrored box clutch, silver, £95.
3. Claude, cuffed T-bar sandals, nude, £135. (credit:REISS)
“Go for relaxed glamour with a touch of colour in a printed maxi dress. Soft prints photograph well and create an impact without over shadowing the main event. Add a touch of shine with a mirrored clutch.”
1. Arleta, flora-print maxi dress, coral, £225.
2. Portia, mirrored box clutch, silver, £95.
3. Claude, cuffed T-bar sandals, nude, £135. (credit:REISS)
Net-a-Porter(03 of08)
Sasha Sarokin, buying manager at Net-a-Porter:
"It’s important to choose carefully-considered and easy-to-wear pieces that can be dressed up with accessories rather than wearing a statement gown as you don’t want to risk upstaging the bride or bridesmaids. Never stray too far from your own style; if you don’t usually wear dresses then try a jumpsuit or separates so that you look and feel relaxed. A final tip is don’t wear super high heels or anything too tight that you can’t walk or dance in."
1. Marni raffia appliquéd cotton and silk-blend top, £900.
2. Givenchy pleated lace culottes, £2,340
3. Saint Laurent monogramme leather clutch, £935.
4. Valentino crystal-embellished metallic leather sandals, £870. (credit:Net-a-Porter)
"It’s important to choose carefully-considered and easy-to-wear pieces that can be dressed up with accessories rather than wearing a statement gown as you don’t want to risk upstaging the bride or bridesmaids. Never stray too far from your own style; if you don’t usually wear dresses then try a jumpsuit or separates so that you look and feel relaxed. A final tip is don’t wear super high heels or anything too tight that you can’t walk or dance in."
1. Marni raffia appliquéd cotton and silk-blend top, £900.
2. Givenchy pleated lace culottes, £2,340
3. Saint Laurent monogramme leather clutch, £935.
4. Valentino crystal-embellished metallic leather sandals, £870. (credit:Net-a-Porter)
Urban Outfitters(04 of08)
Katie Stockdale, womenswear own label senior buyer at Urban Outfitters:
"A wedding is a great opportunity to experiment and be creative with your style. Everyone wants to stand out from the crowd so do something unexpected. Try mixing in vintage items and consider layering with soft tailored pieces, a biker jacket is also a great way to toughen up your look."
1. Little White Lies Chiara Lace Top in sky blue, £85.
2. Little White Lies Cindy Lace Skirt in sky blue, £90.
3. Hide Biker Jacket with fringe in black, £340.
4. Senso Verity Padded Crossover Mules in white, £135. (credit:Urban Outfitters)
"A wedding is a great opportunity to experiment and be creative with your style. Everyone wants to stand out from the crowd so do something unexpected. Try mixing in vintage items and consider layering with soft tailored pieces, a biker jacket is also a great way to toughen up your look."
1. Little White Lies Chiara Lace Top in sky blue, £85.
2. Little White Lies Cindy Lace Skirt in sky blue, £90.
3. Hide Biker Jacket with fringe in black, £340.
4. Senso Verity Padded Crossover Mules in white, £135. (credit:Urban Outfitters)
TOPSHOP(05 of08)
Maddy Evans, fashion director at TOPSHOP:
‘We have a wide range of trends at TOPSHOP to see you through the upcoming wedding season, soft summer dresses in premium laces and sorbet shades create a romantic feel, or work paired back separates; midi skirt’s, soft wide leg trousers and cami tops for a more minimal look. Co-ords are a strong trend for spring summer 2015, try bold retro florals to create a key 70’s look.’
1. Sleeveless Duster, £68.
2. Wide leg trousers, £50.
3. Rebecca Feather Sandals, £49.
4. Snake Effect Zip Clutch, £26. (credit:TOPSHOP)
‘We have a wide range of trends at TOPSHOP to see you through the upcoming wedding season, soft summer dresses in premium laces and sorbet shades create a romantic feel, or work paired back separates; midi skirt’s, soft wide leg trousers and cami tops for a more minimal look. Co-ords are a strong trend for spring summer 2015, try bold retro florals to create a key 70’s look.’
1. Sleeveless Duster, £68.
2. Wide leg trousers, £50.
3. Rebecca Feather Sandals, £49.
4. Snake Effect Zip Clutch, £26. (credit:TOPSHOP)
Primark(06 of08)
Primark's buyers:“This burnout lace prom dress is delicate, romantic and feminine and easily accessorised to add a touch of glam; perfect for a summer wedding.”
1. Burnout Lace Prom Dress, £15.
2. White Caged Block Heel, £18.
3. Snake Trim Wallet, £6.
All available at Primark. (credit:Primark)
1. Burnout Lace Prom Dress, £15.
2. White Caged Block Heel, £18.
3. Snake Trim Wallet, £6.
All available at Primark. (credit:Primark)
New Look(07 of08)
Renée Goinden, New Look junior buyer for the going out department:
"Wedding guest dressing just got exciting! This season it’s all about the brights. We are loving the citrus colours, especially this lovely washed neon coral. The newest detailing off the catwalks is the neckline, so keep up with the trends with this bardot bodycon dress in gorgeous lace. Perfect paired back with metallic accessories and shoes."
1. Coral Lace Bardot Neck Dress, £29.99.
2. Gold Frame Clutch, £15.99
3. Gold Leather Ankle Strap Heels, £34.99. (credit:New Look)
"Wedding guest dressing just got exciting! This season it’s all about the brights. We are loving the citrus colours, especially this lovely washed neon coral. The newest detailing off the catwalks is the neckline, so keep up with the trends with this bardot bodycon dress in gorgeous lace. Perfect paired back with metallic accessories and shoes."
1. Coral Lace Bardot Neck Dress, £29.99.
2. Gold Frame Clutch, £15.99
3. Gold Leather Ankle Strap Heels, £34.99. (credit:New Look)
Selfridges(08 of08)
Lydia King, Selfridges womenswear buyer manager:
"Self-Portrait is the label to know this season, you can find the perfect dress in beautiful lace fabrics and jumpsuits with modern prints that can be worn over and over again.
"French labels such Sandro and Maje have a great assortment of skirts and feminine dresses, pair them with high heels for an elegant look and wear them again in the office with flat shoes for every day comfort."
1. Self-portrait Lucille geometric-trim mesh dress, £250.
2. Karen Millen ankle cuff heeled sandals, £125.
3. Roland Mouret leather envelope clutch bag, £495. (credit:Selfridges)
"Self-Portrait is the label to know this season, you can find the perfect dress in beautiful lace fabrics and jumpsuits with modern prints that can be worn over and over again.
"French labels such Sandro and Maje have a great assortment of skirts and feminine dresses, pair them with high heels for an elegant look and wear them again in the office with flat shoes for every day comfort."
1. Self-portrait Lucille geometric-trim mesh dress, £250.
2. Karen Millen ankle cuff heeled sandals, £125.
3. Roland Mouret leather envelope clutch bag, £495. (credit:Selfridges)
Best Wedding Guests
The Still-Married Octogenarians(01 of10)
A couple who has celebrated 50 years together gives you something to aspire to with your marriage.Photobooth props you'll want to havePhoto by: Lissa Anglin on Oh Lovely Day via Lover.ly
The Sleepy Flower Girl(02 of10)
Flinging flowers is a tiring job...which is why so many flower girls fall asleep mid-ceremony.Browse beautiful wedding bouquetsPhoto by: Craig Paulson Photography on Craig Paulson Photography via Lover.ly
The Too-Cool-for-School Ring Bearer(03 of10)
There's nothing cuter than a little man rocking a sweet suit as he brings the rings down the aisle in style.Creative ideas for ring bearersPhoto by: Kim Le Photography on Bridal Guide via Lover.ly
The Up-For-Anything Older Brothers(04 of10)
The older brothers and cousins who love to have a good time are the most likely to plan a great surprise for the couple, pose for hilarious photos, and generally keep everyone laughing all night.Wedding looks for every guy's stylePhoto by: Lilli Waters of I Got You Babe on Polka Dot Bride via Lover.ly
The Perfect-Toast-Writing Bridesmaid(05 of10)
A BFF who can give the perfect speech -- equal parts funny and touching, with at least one embarrassing story -- is one of the highlights of the reception.Find the perfect bridesmaids dressesPhoto by: Nick Tucker on Bridal Musings via Lover.ly
The Emotional Dad(06 of10)
Most guests (and couples) can hold it together...until the dad starts crying.Pretty personalized hankies to giftPhoto by: Scobey Photography on The Brides Cafe via Lover.ly
The Finally-Cutting-Loose Mom(07 of10)
After stressing out trying to make sure everything's perfect for the wedding, we love seeing a mother of the bride or groom having a glass (or three!) of champagne and letting go.Great dresses for momsPhoto by: Scobey Photography on Southern Weddings via Lover.ly
The Bustin'-A-Move Best Man(08 of10)
Someone needs to get the party started, and having a best man who is willing to be first on on the dance floor means you're sure to have an awesome reception.Photo by: Beautiful Day Photography on Inspired By This via Lover.ly
The Dancing Grandma(09 of10)
We love when older generations hit the dance floor to show the young ones how it's done.Fun dance floor photos from real weddingsPhoto by: Choco Studio on Bridal Guide via Lover.ly
The Posh Pooch(10 of10)
We can't help but love dogs in bow ties, so we love the fact that more and more couples are including their best friends in their weddings.More wedding-ready petsPhoto by: Patricia Lyons on Easton Events via Lover.ly