We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Unless otherwise specified, all sizes in this post are listed in women's.
1. An off-the-shoulder ruffle dress in which you can really get down to Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" — an absolute wedding banger.
Here's what BuzzFeed editor Ciera Velarde has to say:
"I wore this to a wedding this summer that had an outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour in 90-degree heat, and even though it's maxi length, I didn't get too hot or sweaty. I was really pleased with how the pleated tiers fell on my body...I just felt very dainty and romantic and confident in this dress! I also loved that I could wear it on or off the shoulders. And no joke I had at least a dozen people compliment me on this dress! And no one believed what I spent on it! I might just have to buy this in many other colors now!"
Get it from Amazon for $37.60+ (available in sizes S–XL and 40 colors/patterns).
2. A one-shoulder tiered midi if you're looking to dip your toe into one of 2023's most on-trend designs. Cold shoulder? Nooooo, thank you. One shoulder? Always.
Promising review: "I absolutely looooove this dress!!!! It is beautiful and flowy and perfect for vacation! The one shoulder is so on trend right now! And the color is stunning!!" —Emad Abdelrahman
Get it from Amazon for $24.59+ (available in sizes S–XL and in 38 colors/styles).
3. A short puff-sleeve dress sure to have you feeling like a Disney princess with its Jasmine-esque bodice and sleeves.
Promising review: "Bought this as a last-minute dress to wear to a wedding and it was perfect! I liked that it wasn’t see through or sheer by any means because I often find that dresses I buy online are super thin. The quality was pretty good and I was overall very satisfied." —Brooke
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in sizes XS–XL and in 30 colors).
4. An "infinity" dress you can wrap in a bajillion different ways (AKA at least 24 ways) so you can get away with wearing it to every wedding and no one will be the wiser.
Bohochick Brides is a NY–based small biz that sells all sorts of wedding apparel from guest and bridesmaids dresses to matching PJ sets and robes.
Promising review: "This dress was gorgeous, and the color was perfect. I really like how customizable the wear of the dress is (there's so many different tutorials out there)." —Ashley Abigail
Get it from Bohochick Brides on Etsy for $52.49+ (originally $104.99+; available in One Size (fits 0–16) and Plus Size (18–24) and in 34 colors).
5. A high-low dress with some much-needed clearance in the front so you don't trip over yourself in a rush to the dessert buffet.
This is another favorite of BuzzFeed editor Ciera Velarde. Here's what she has to say:
"This is the perfect summer dress for any fancy activities you have! It's ultra-breathable and thin, so you can wear this even when it creeps up to 100+ degrees outside! I've worn it to a wedding last year and then to a rehearsal dinner this year, and I will keep this in my regular rotation to break out any time I need to look cute!"
Promising review: "Love, love, love this dress! It fits perfectly and is lightweight enough for the heat wave we are experiencing in LA." —Sweet Serenade
Get it from Amazon for $42.99 (available in sizes S–XXL and in 35 colors).
6. An A-line mini bubble dress one reviewer says gives "Little House On The Prairie pillowcase REALNESS in the best way possible." And idk about you, but that sold me.
Promising review: "I am OBSESSED with this dress! I bought it for my cruise to Bermuda that I just came back from and it was a HIT! Fits true to size. It is sooo cute and so perfect for spring and summer. You can dress this up with sandals or dress it down with sneakers. It’s so versatile and is my new go-to dress!" —Alexis
Get it from Target for $38 (available in sizes XS–4X and in four colors/prints).
7. A batwing swing dress that will have you waving your arm around to Beyoncé in such a dramatic fashion, you'll look like you're in high school color guard.
8. A maxi dress with a porcelain-esque print I could see being a *major* hit at beach and vineyard weddings alike.
Get it from Boohoo for $24 (originally $48; available in sizes 12–24).
9. A cowl-neck abstract plisse maxi if you're not one for solids — especially when you have an excuse to dress up.
Get it from Pretty Little Thing for $29 (originally $58; available in sizes L–5X and in six prints).
10. A one-shoulder bodycon you can absolutely dress up with heels but also use post-wedding by pairing it with your chunkiest platform sneakers and your tried-and-true jean jacket because who doesn't love a versatile piece.
11. A sleeveless ruched maxi with a big ol' bow on one shoulder if you often find yourself jealous of babies who get to wear those [comically] large bow headbands.
Promising review: "Purchased this dress for a semi-formal wedding and let me tell you... It is amazing! The bow detail on the shoulder is so cute and I had compliments all night long. This wedding was in New Orleans and I was even comfortable during the second line parade. Do not hesitate...the quality is amazing!" —Jennifer Longo
Get it from Amazon for $57.99 (available in sizes S–XL and in 18 colors).
12. An asymmetrical satin cocktail dress that gives me human tulip vibes and I kind of love that??
Promising review: "This is the perfect wedding guest dress! Very elegant while still being fairly priced. I could’ve potentially sized down for a more fitted look in the chest, but I’m not sure if I would’ve run into more problems doing that. Love that this dress comes in so many colors, too! My only issue with the dress is the belt. I thought it was attached to the dress. A part of me wished it was but I felt like it looked silly when I tried to tie the belt around so I opted for the beltless look." —Felicia
Get it from Amazon for $42.99 (available in sizes S–XL and in 28 colors).
13. A floral satin wrap dress with a big, loud pattern that'll match your big, loud presence on the dance floor.
14. A pleated jacquard midi in a stunning emerald green if you're looking for an excuse to go wild with a color you aren't brave enough to wear in your everyday life.
Get it from Asos for $56.50 (originally $66; available in sizes 0–14).
15. A smocked long sleeve dress that comes in an array of arresting prints and — the real clincher — you don't even have to shave your pits! (Not that you have to anyways, but if you're self-conscious about that type of thing.)
16. A beautiful high-neck mermaid-style gown you can wear to all future formal events if you're looking for a piece that's not just wedding appropriate, but also homecoming/graduation/cruise ready.
Promising review: "LOVE LOVE LOVE this dress. You can see why it's a bestseller — which tempted me not to buy it because who wants to show up in the same dress and I felt a little self-conscious with the fit. But after ordering numerous dresses (and everyone I showed the images picked this dress) I finally decided to just own it and I'm glad I did. I helped at the venue before, during and after the wedding and it was super comfortable for hours. Slipped bathing suit pads in the top for coverage with no problem with them being visible due to sheerness. Wore biker-type undergarments on the bottom. Order this one." —Kris G. Morris
Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in sizes S–XL and in 11 colors).
17. A light blue tea-length dress covered in darling 3D butterflies that would simply look incredible at a garden wedding.
Confetti Boutique is a woman–owned small business located in Owensboro, Kentucky.
Get it from Confetti Boutique for $65 (available in sizes M and L).
18. A halter midi dress with a flirty side slit and an A-line silhouette that'll make you feel like a salsa master even if you can barely move to the beat of your favorite song. 🙈
Promising review: "I bought this dress last minute for a wedding this summer. I wasn't sure how it would look because there weren't any reviews yet, but I'm so glad I bought it! I received a bunch of compliments and it's super comfortable to dance in." —Aubrey T.
Get it from Lulus for $69 (available in sizes XS–XL).
19. A 100% chiffon tie-back mini dress that'll have you feeling blissfully unencumbered as you do the Macarena and then start a conga line.
Promising reviews: "It’s soooo cute and I got so many compliments at the wedding we went to. I am a bigger-chested girl and it fit just right. I’m a shorty and it wasn’t too long. So comfy too. It’s a must-get! May get it in a few other colors eventually." —Emily Tomas
"I LOVE IT!!! The waist part of this dress is everything. I’m an absolute sucker for poofy sleeves. I love that they’re gauzy and translucent. Dress has a slip attached inside for the body part. I can wear this any day my mood needs elevated!" —R
Get it from Amazon for $39.49 (available in sizes XS–XXL and in 21 colors and prints).
20. A sleeveless A-line dress with adjustable straps so you don't have to babysit your boobs all night and isn't that what we're all after??
21. An off-the-shoulder maxi dress in sunset-like ombre shades that'll photograph SO beautifully at any outdoor weddings you have on your cal.
22. A dreamy halter neck number with a floaty overlay sure to dance in the breeze — even if you don't — at any outdoor wedding.
Get it from Nordstrom Rack for $69.97 (originally $148; available in sizes 2–14).
23. A simple square-neck dress that won't one-up the bride but will earn you endless compliments all the same.
Promising review: "Beautiful fabric, great fit, love it!" —Momma RayRay
Get it from Amazon for $44.99 (available in sizes S–XL and in 23 colors).
24. A split hem midi dress with an effortless, elegant silhouette so you can accessorize to the moon and back.
Promising review: "This was a the perfect wedding guest dress. It is so stretchy and comfortable but still formal for an event. I got the brown color." —Jessica Fee
Get it from Amazon for $33.99 (available in sizes XS–XL and in 25 colors).
25. A ribbed, one-shoulder cutout dress so simple but stunning, all of the other guests with 10+ spring wedding invites *will* be asking where you got it so they can order one ASAP.
26. A sweet little open-back dress outfitted with long but lightweight lantern sleeves and dreamy ruffles that'll have you twirling your way to your designated reception table.
Promising review: "This is such a beautiful dress! The medium was a little loose in the body but perfect length-wise. Still was very comfortable. I got a lot of compliments! It was made with a good quality material. The under-skirt was nice and thick so you couldn't see through it. I wore short black shorts underneath in case it was windy at the wedding. I paired it with knee-high boots also from Amazon!" —Noel Cossaboon
Get it from Amazon for $39.98 (available in sizes S–XL and in 32 styles).
FYI, if you have Amazon Prime Wardrobe you can give this a spin before you buy it!
27. And a shimmering cowl neck number sure to have you shining like a disco ball when you take to the dance floor.
J Lux Label is a woman—owned small business based in LA.
Get it from J Lux Label for $89.90 (available in sizes S–XXL and in three colors).
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.