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 listed in this post are 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!"
Promising review: "I want to say this was the best last-minute dress I’ve bought on a whim. I had a wedding yesterday that I had nothing to wear to and saw a TikTok of a girl showing dresses for weddings, and this one popped up. Saw that it was next-day shipping and it was here three hours before I had to leave. 😅 Needless to say, Amazon saved the day. About the dress: this is the perfect spring wedding guest dress — I got so many compliments all night! If you’re wondering if it’s worth it, I say this is your sign to buy it! GET THE DRESS!" —Amazon user
Get it from Amazon for $24.92+ (available in sizes S–XL and 42 colors).
2. 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 $38.99+ (available in sizes S–XXL and in 33 colors).
3. A 20-piece barrette and hairpin set so you can spice up your 'do without spending a $100 at the salon or burning the back of your head wielding a curling iron you only use on special occasions.
4. 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 cause 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 29 colors).
5. A floral satin wrap dress with a big, loud pattern that'll match your big, loud presence on the dance floor.
6. 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 $66 (available in sizes 0–14).
7. 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 loveeeee 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 41 colors/styles).
8. An acrylic clutch with room for your phone, keys, cards/cash, and Dior Lip Glow Oil cause TikTok has you in a chokehold and you *will* buy whatever the Gen Z influencers tell you to.
PS: Here's a $10 lip oil alternative with 4,500 5-star reviews!
Promising review: "I bought it for a wedding in Sedona to go with the theme! It ended up being so much more beautiful in person." —Vania
Get it from Amazon for $39.79 (available in two colors).
9. Or a floral clutch if you've opted for a solid colored outfit and could use a pop of texture and some embellishment.
Promising review: "Love this purse! Very beautiful and big enough for all my items. Bought this for a wedding, received tons of compliments! Has a cute strap that you can use or not use. Very versatile." —Danielle Zenn
Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in eight styles).
10. A pleated, frilly midi dress in a stunning cobalt shade sure to have you standing out in — no shade — a sea of florals.
Get it from Asos for $57 (available in sizes 0–14).
11. 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.
12. 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 Lulu's for $69 (available in sizes XS–XL).
13. 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 $41.99 (available in sizes S–XL and in 28 colors).
14. 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.
15. 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 $56.99 (available in sizes S–XL and in 18 colors).
16. A matching satin set in an oh-so-spring sage hue. While the pieces look killer together, you can also separate them to pair with skirts, jeans, and other pieces in your nonwedding wardrobe!
Mila Modish is a small biz based in New Jersey. They've got TONS of fashion-forward items, especially for special occasions!
Get it from Mila Modish on Etsy for $84.64 (originally $105.80; available in sizes S–L).
17. Espadrille wedges if you're after some height but don't have the balance necessary for stilettos — especially when you have plans to frequent the open bar. 👀
Promising reviews: "I love these wedges! I don't like wearing heels, so you already know I don't like uncomfortable. These wedges are comfy, wore them all evening for a wedding and received many compliments." —Silvia Melgar
"I bought a pair in black, and found they were very cute and comfortable, so I bought another pair in cream. I wear them a lot and get compliments each time! I wore them in Europe on vacation, and walked over 15,000 steps in a day in them!" —K Richardson
Get them from Amazon for $45.98+ (available in sizes 5–11 and 13 colors).
PS: If you're a Prime member, you can try before you buy!
18. A stylish two-piece suit should you be a bonafide a Pants Person™. This sharp set is just as appropriate and comes in 31 colors 🤯 so you don't have to stick to boring black if you don't want to!!
Promising review: "PERFECT, PERFECT, PERFECT!!!!! I wanted a suit for my graduation so bad! This one here killed it👌👌👌!! Let's talk about quality!!!! This one was beyond. I will definitely get another color soon." —Rachel
Get it from Amazon for $99.99 (available in sizes XS–2X and in 31 colors/patterns/styles).
19. 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 0–14).
20. 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.)
21. A split hem midi dress with a simple but 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 23 colors).
22. 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 $40.99 (available in sizes S–XL and in 23 colors).
23. An iconic jumpsuit outfitted with cape-like sleeves that will have you walking around with the confidence of a runway model.
Promising review: "I wore this to a wedding and received so many compliments. I felt confident and like a total bombshell in it! I will say sizing up may be a good idea if you have a long torso as it seems to be a bit short. 10 out of 10." —Kayla
Get it from Amazon for $54.99 (available in sizes XS—XXL and in 12 colors/styles).
24. And a pair of foldable flats you can slip on at the end of the night when the party is over but you're down to walk the three blocks necessary for a McDonalds nightcap. 😌
Promising review: "I really like these shoes. I love the pointy toe. They actually look like a high heel but are flats." —Amazon customer
Get them from Amazon for $22.95 (available in sizes 5.5–11 and in six colors).
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.