Last year I went to a countryside wedding in Essex, a city one in London and headed to the South of France for a destination wedding. And yes, It was a busy summer. This year, I only have one to go to in Ireland, but again, it's a totally different vibe in a stately home. With all types covered within a matter of months, I would say I've mastered the art of wedding guest dressing. And considering it's one of my most-asked questions as a stylist, I'm always on the lookout for new guest trends that are set to dominate wedding season. Turns out, high street hero Marks and Spencer has them all checked off. And yep, as you can imagine, none of them will cost a fortune—something we can all appreciate considering weddings can be pretty expensive, especially when you have a few in the diary.
Let me show you some of the trends that I, a fashion editor of over 12 years, believes everyone will be shopping from M&S this season.
Top of my list is satin. I wore an olive green Reiss gown to the destination wedding last year (similar to Vanessa's £100 M&S style, above) and I felt like royalty. There's something about the fluid fabric that feels luxe, and it makes any dress silhouette look 100x fancier. Then there's prints. Florals will always be relevant, polka dots are still huge news, and I say a firm yes to the dress when it comes to animal-inspired styles.
Add to this the tiny detail that's making a huge impact, plus the key colours of the season, and M&S has made choosing a wedding guest dress super simple this summer. Now all you have to do is RSVP.
Best M&S Wedding Guest Dresses
1. Liquid Satin
Vanessa's actual dress is naturally selling out fast.
A good slip dress has never, and will never fail, and this burnt orange style proves it.
The asymmetric hemline and sleeves makes this butter yellow midi look so expensive.
Petrol blue is the unexpected colour I'm backing this season.
Just layer on the jewellery stacks with this one.
I always love this rich colour teamed with pastel pink.
Lace details are key—more on that later.
I keep seeing this one all over Insta and it deserves a wedding invite.
2. Make It A Mini
This dress feels very Ganni, but for £23!
3D flowers makes this high street mini fit for a fancy ceremony.
I imagine this is something Alexa Chung would rock up to a London wedding in.
I've worn red to a wedding and it always makes an impact.
3. Prints Please
If you don't want to consider taking a blazer or jacket, this long sleeved floral dress is the answer.
I'm all for animal print at a wedding, and this zebra dress gets my vote—just add kitten heels and a cute little bag.
The arty print is different to other classic floral print dresses—I'm into it.
Drop waist, polka dots—M&S is ticking off all the trends with this one.
Scarf dresses have been a wedding guest favourite for a few years now, and the love is still going strong thanks to iterations like this.
You'll end up digging this back out for so many events.
Yes to another animal print option.
This is very destination wedding coded.
4. Taste The Rainbow
Summer weddings call for pretty necklines and voluminous silhouettes.
I love this bubblegum mini for a registry wedding in the city.
There's no escaping cobalt blue this summer, so I predict it'll be a wedding guest favourite.
This, plus a sunny day.
This berry shade is one you'll be able to get away with wearing all year round.
I'm seeing so much icy blue at the moment and it looks so effortless with silver jewellery.
Because butter yellow isn't going anywhere soon.
For a wedding on the beach, just add strappy sandals and a raffia clutch.
5. Touch Of Lace
Yep, you can wear black to a wedding.
I would probably add tonal accessories and gold layered jewellery with this one.
The tiered detailing makes it so light and easy to waft around the venue in.
I would wear this with an unexpected shoe—maybe a sleek ballet flat or retro slingback.
Monochrome always wins, no matter the occasion.
6. Black Vs Brown
This is one of those dresses you'll buy for a wedding, and wear a thousand times afterwards.
Simple, yet so effortless.
It's the neckline and drop hem that sets this above the rest.
So pretty for countryside nuptials.
We all know an LBD can never fail.
Tactile textures are huge news for summer 26.
As someone who is 5'4", I appreciate that this comes in four lengths—petite, regular and tall.
One you'll wear to the wedding, but also do every upcoming summer soirée from then on.