My calendar is packed with excitement, as I have five weddings to attend this year alone. While I look forward to basking in the joy of celebrating love, I get even more excited about shopping and wearing a new outfit for each event—I’m just a girl, after all. Still, with the help of some wise advice from a financial advisor, I’ve made a conscious decision to limit my clothing budget to $300 per celebration.
Finding the perfect outfit on a tight budget can be a challenge, but after some careful research, I’ve identified some great options at popular stores like Zara, Mangoes, Shop, NordstromAnd Swing. When putting together my look, my strategy is to invest in versatile, minimalist-friendly dresses that offer a variety of styling options and can be worn across a variety of seasons and occasions. Plus, because they are carefully chosen jewelry And hand bag Being able to pull off affordable fashion pieces, I make sure to choose the best accessories that can elevate my look with ease.
To show you what I did, I’ve presented seven wedding guest outfit ideas under $300 and my styling process for them below. Whether it’s beach wedding or a formal ball, these dresses are designed to help you look like you’re wearing high-end pieces, even on a budget. Happy wedding season!
Beach Wedding Dress Ideas
(Image Source: Revolve, J.Crew, Source Unknown)
When shopping for a beach wedding, Look for a flowy, airy dress in a soft, casual color, like Bardot’s Lilah dress. The midi length is perfect—it won’t drag on the sand—and the delicate floral pattern adds a touch of glamour. The dress flatters your figure beautifully with its fitted bodice, and the large straps provide ample support, allowing you to go bra-free. While you can take your shoes off when you hit the sand, you’ll still want to choose shoes that are both stylish and practical. I recommend heels like the Strap Stiletto Sandals from Source Unknown. They come in a timeless tan, with thin straps and a modern square-toe design, making them both stylish and durable.
Buy the costume for $299:
Bardot
Light purple corset midi dress
Unknown source
Stiletto Sandals
J.Crew
Large Metal Ball Stud Earrings
Cocktail Wedding Party Attire Ideas
(Image source: Revolve, Mango, Zara)
ONE cocktail party dress code This means that women can choose from dresses ranging from short to midi and even floor-length. This gives wedding guests a wide range of options to fit their budget. I’m a fan of Norma Kamali, a brand that offers affordable dresses for all types of weddings. The strapless ball gown from the brand’s collection is an ideal choice because of its classic silhouette. The strapless design features a fitted bodice that flows into an A-line skirt, giving it a timeless look. What makes this dress even more special is its versatility—it can be worn for a variety of occasions and paired with a variety of shoes, including knee high boots, ballet shoesAnd sport shoesFor a wedding, I envision pairing the Norma Kamali dress with elegant pointed toe high heels.
Buy the $300 outfit:
Norma Kamali
Strapless flared dress
little moments
Terrain Hoop Earrings
European Summer Wedding Dress Ideas
(Image Source: Shopbop, Mango, Nordstrom)
Attending a European wedding in the summer can be a strain on your budget, but the stunning backdrops and picturesque landscapes will make it all worth the perfect Instagram shot. To capture every moment, you’ll need the perfect outfit to compliment the beauty of the landscape. decorated with roses A dress, like this chic striped design from Moon River, is a great way to achieve that. Then, complete the look with simple accessories like strap sandalsa petite girl bagand delicate gold earrings.
Buy the costume for $270:
Moon River
V-neck satin midi dress
Elizabeth Cole
Perly Earrings
Opened it
Taytum Ankle Strap Sandals
Black-Tie Wedding Attire Ideas
(Image Source: Wewhorewhat, Revolve, Source Unknown)
When the dress code says black tie outfitGuests are expected to wear formal, elegant outfits crafted from luxurious fabrics. A black dress is a timeless and safe choice for the occasion, especially if you are the third person. So consider the WeWoreWhat Lace Slip Maxi Dress. This stunning dress features a seductive V-neck, intricate lace detailing and sumptuous satin fabric that exudes sophistication. Pair with open heel high heels and declare stud earrings to complement this sophisticated look.
Buy the $300 outfit:
What we wore
Plain Lace Maxi Dress
Unknown source
Open heel mesh high heels
Casual Wedding Dress Ideas
(Image sources: Shopbop, Anthropologie, Nordstrom)
Even if the dress code on your invitation is casual, you should still dress a little more formally than the word implies. Instead of wearing a formal outfit, opt for something a little more casual, incorporating fun colors, patterns, and simple fabrics. You can elevate your outfit by adding metallic heels and beautiful jewelry. Remember to consider the time of year, location, and the couple’s preferences when interpreting the meaning of the word “casual” for this event.
Buy the costume for $273:
Escape from the label
Luna Midi Dress
Anthropology
Ribbed bracelet
Jeffrey Campbell
Fluxx Slippers
Formal Wedding Attire Ideas or Black Tie Options
(Image sources: Revolve, Nordstrom, Mango)
Formal wedding attireor black tie option, encourage people to choose formal attire Maxi dress made of luxurious fabrics. I came across a gorgeous printed dress from Revolve’s Superdown collection that fit the bill perfectly. This modern dress features a floor-length hem, a stylish halter neck, and a sexy open back. The animal-inspired print adds a playful touch without being too flashy. To enhance the modernity of the dress, I’d pair it with a shoe style that’s on trend right now—high heel flip flops—and decorated evening bag.
Buy the costume for $253:
Opened it
Tori Kitten High Heels
Nadri
Large Cubic Zirconia Cleo Earrings
