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One of the best parts of attending a wedding (besides celebrating the couple's love, of course) is getting a new dress to wear for the event. You might have a vision of your ideal wedding guest look—dreamy garden floral prints, a sleek little black number, or a floaty maxi dress for a beach wedding. From waist-accentuating wrap dresses with sleeves to tiered midis and body-skimming tea-length silhouettes, there are plenty of flattering styles for plus-size curves.
Color choice is important when you start shopping. "Remember wearing white, black, or red is a no-no," says Oprah Daily's Creative Director, Adam Glassman. "You never want to be too 'look at me' or sexy, as this day is for the bride to be feted. This summer think about softer shades of pink, yellow, blue or green, or bright bold colors. Prints always work as well. The most joyful are floral and polka dots." If you normally wear black for events, Glassman recommends trying a navy alternative.
And if you aren't sure just how dressed up you should be for a particular event, always go a little fancier than you think. "I always believe it’s better to be overdressed than under," adds Glassman. "A long gown always works. Saturday evenings are black tie, so this dress can be formal, while day weddings lend themselves to softer, flowy maxi dresses."
Whether you're invited to a daytime ceremony or formal black tie soirée, we sorted through the selection from retailers to find the best looks for your function. Now all you have to do is RSVP.
This dark blue dress is a bit of a splurge, but you'll be able to wear it to all your events this summer. Pair with a cute shrug or cardigan to make it more casual, or dress it up with your favorite stilettos for a nighttime affair.
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Doubles as a Vacation Dress
By Anthropologie The Odetta Ruffled V-Neck Dress
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Doubles as a Vacation Dress
By Anthropologie The Odetta Ruffled V-Neck Dress
This beautiful floral gown works for a daytime or evening wedding, and it's also a perfect addition to your summer vacation wardrobe. With bold flowers, a plunging neckline, and a tiered skirt, this maxi is doing the most.
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Perfect for Dancing
Lulus Light Up the Night Sequin Dress
5
Perfect for Dancing
Lulus Light Up the Night Sequin Dress
Make the whole place shimmer in this shift dress that's made for a party. It's great for a function where you want to dance the night away, as this roomy mini will give you lots of room to move.
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Machine-Washable
ASOS Coral Textured Pleat Mini Dress
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Machine-Washable
ASOS Coral Textured Pleat Mini Dress
This mini is a fun fit for a daytime wedding or for a less formal evening affair. The bold coral color is accented with feathery textured details while the cinched-in waist is a great way to show off your angles.
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You can never go wrong with toile; the distinctive blue and white is always timeless. This maxi is ideal for casual afternoon nuptials, and you can get your money's worth by pairing it with flats and wearing it to work.
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Stretchy Fabric
Xscape Evenings Scuba Crepe co*cktail Dress
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Stretchy Fabric
Xscape Evenings Scuba Crepe co*cktail Dress
Wear this fun, fuschia number to an evening semi-formal event. The scuba fabric is stretchy so you'll be able to dance, and it's forgiving, which is great if you tend to fluctuate in weight. The floral sleeve is bold enough that you can skip a lot of jewelry.
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Perfect for a Beach Wedding
Buxom Couture Floral Voluminous Maxi Dress
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Perfect for a Beach Wedding
Buxom Couture Floral Voluminous Maxi Dress
Got a destination wedding in a tropical location? This tiered, printed dress is the perfect look to wear with sandals or even barefoot as your loved one strolls down the sand.
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Makes Your Waist Look Smaller
Nmoder Flared Wrap Dress
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Makes Your Waist Look Smaller
Nmoder Flared Wrap Dress
The fit and flare style is timeless for a reason. This flattering shape makes waists look smaller, and this one comes in multiple colors and patterns. As a bonus, this stretchy fabric is comfortable while sitting or dancing.
This flowy casual look is tailor-made for an afternoon event, and you can also wear it to all of the other bridal or engagement parties you get invited to. The blue and red floral design will stand out without detracting from the guest of honor.
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Works in Every Season
Giffniseti Sequin Formal Maxi Dress
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Works in Every Season
Giffniseti Sequin Formal Maxi Dress
This floor-length formal look is one you can wear year-round since it has three-quarter-length puff sleeves. It still works for summer, as the off-the-shoulder neckline will keep it from being too warm. Note that the sequins make this fabric a little less forgiving than some others on this list, so double-check the measurements before ordering.
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Comes in 20 Colors
Ever-Pretty Off-Shoulder Chiffon Dress
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Comes in 20 Colors
Ever-Pretty Off-Shoulder Chiffon Dress
Show off those shoulders with this dreamy lilac dress. The formal look can fit everyone from Gen-Z to mother-of-the-bride, and it comes in 20 other colors so you can find your favorite.
The A-line shape and puffed sleeves give this patterned dress a romantic feel, which is exactly what you want for a wedding. The ruched top makes it stretchy and comfortable so you can wear it all day without feeling pinched.
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While you don't want to go too sexy for a wedding, you can still have a little fun with this flattering dress that hugs your curves. The scoop neck top and draped fabric at the hips keep this from being a skin-tight look.
Paula Lee
Freelance Fashion Editor
Paula Lee is a freelance Fashion Editor. Off duty, she can be found day-tripping around the tri-state area, hanging around farm animals, or browsing the library stacks.
Angel Madison
Commerce Editor
Angel Madison is a commerce editor for Hearst, covering LEGOs, trending products, toys, plus-size fashion, wellness, home, tech and more. Previously she covered entertainment, pop culture, and parenting for a variety of publications. When she's not at her desk you can find her hanging with her daughter and cat, finding offbeat roadside attractions, or doing crafts.