Long Evening Dresses For Weddings

After all the love we’ve given our WFH clothes lately, we seriously can’t wait to dress up for the many celebrations on our calendars this year — and cocktail dresses for weddings are at the center of our fashion dream boards.

With glamour as the go-to theme for recent weddings, many couples are opting for glitzy cocktail attire as their dress code. And we can see why! From the ceremony to the reception to, ahem, cocktail hour, a fabulous cocktail dress always brings the party vibes.

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Cocktail dresses for weddings are a classic for a reason — but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be modern, too! Whether you want to channel the opulence of decades past or switch it up with a funky new silhouette, there’s a cocktail dress for every style (and every style of wedding).

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To help you prepare for your next wedding toast, we’ve rounded up the cocktail dresses for weddings that we can’t stop gushing over. From breezy summer slip dresses to elevated LBDs, these picks are guaranteed to make a fashion statement at your next event.

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Party attire at its core, cocktail dresses are versatile, playful, and always stylish. They first landed a spot on the fashion trends lists over a century ago, quickly becoming a wardrobe staple for Flapper-era party animals. Since then, cocktail dresses have withstood the test of time — and today they strike the perfect balance between formal and semi formal dress codes for evening events and special occasions.

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While cocktail dresses for weddings do lean more on the formal side of dress codes, that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate some personality to your look. With no rigid rules, you’re free to play around with colors, prints, textures, and silhouettes. After all, the best cocktail dresses are equal parts classy and fun.

The answer is simple: YES! Weddings are the perfect opportunity to break out one of your favorite cocktail dresses and get glammed up. Plus, cocktail dresses for weddings can easily be dressed up or down with a few key accessories, making them perfect for everything from a black tie affair to a dressy casual beach bash.

However, it’s still important to check the dress code on your invitation before adding a new dress to your cart. If the dress code is anything less than semi formal, you may want to bench that cocktail dress until your next formal celebration.

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GWS Tip: If the dress code does allow for cocktail attire, pay attention to the season and the venue of the wedding to get a better idea about how to style your cocktail dress. Since cocktail dresses for weddings can fall on a spectrum of formality, it’s always best to dress for the event to nail the perfect level of sparkle.

Not all cocktail dresses for weddings are created equal — but most of our favorites are just a few clicks away! Our go-to places to buy cocktail dresses for weddings are Reformation, Lulus, and BHLDN.

From sustainable finds you’ll wear for years to come to affordable statement pieces you won’t want to take off, these online shops have you covered. Plus, they each have collections specifically tailored for wedding season, so you don’t have to worry about arriving in the wrong look.

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To keep you from going scroll-crazy, we’ve included our favorite ‘fits from these sites — as well as a few surprise looks from rad designers — in the list below. Let’s get into it!

We love summer weddings for SO many reasons — gorgeous outdoor ceremonies, dancing under the stars, and wildflower season, to name a few. But one of the best parts of a summer wedding has to be the fashion opportunities.

When choosing summer cocktail dresses for weddings, there are endless fashion-forward options that will help you stay cool all day and look good all night. Keep scrolling to see a few of our top picks!

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This summer, we’re all about bold prints and maxi dresses — especially when it comes to cocktail dresses for weddings. This romantic maxi dress has a fitted waist and leg slit for those outdoor summer ceremonies.

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We’re seeing this elegant summer cocktail dress EVERYWHERE right now, and it’s safe to say we’re obsessed with its wedding day potential! With endless color and size options, this silky number is universally flattering and perfect for any and every occasion.

Floral prints on summer cocktail dresses for weddings may seem overdone, but the embroidery on this gown adds some whimsy that feels fresh and fabulous. Talk about flower power!

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A little bit cottagecore, a little bit regencycore, this summer cocktail dress is sweet, stylish, and sure to turn heads. We are especially loving that structured corset – and the back has adjustable lacing. Did we mention all the ruffles on the bottom? Perfection.

We couldn’t create a roundup of summer cocktail dresses for weddings without including at least one gem from Reformation, and this dreamy blue halter dress is one of our all-time faves. It makes a statement with an open back and flirty side slit. And that flowy skirt is to die for!

The details take center stage with this feminine mini summer cocktail dress for weddings. With ruffles, pleats, and an unexpected one-shoulder neckline, this Lulus pick is redefining “pretty in pink.”

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Our favorite summer cocktail dresses for weddings can be worn all season long, and this cowl-neck slip dress is no exception. It’s perfect for going from Sunday brunch to romantic date night to wedding cocktail hour.

Here at GWS, we say the more ruffles the better! This nude summer cocktail dress fulfills ALL our ruffle needs, and turns the look up a notch with a sultry form-fitting silhouette. Pair it with these gorgeous champagne velvet heels, and you’re golden.

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Have more than one summer wedding on your calendar? We’ve got you covered with the trendiest wedding guest gowns for those hot summer nights!

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Is there anything more elegant than sipping an Old Fashioned in an opulent ballroom, draped in a timeless dress? We’re manifesting this for all of the winter nuptials we’re invited to — and these gorgeous winter cocktail dresses for weddings are here to make it happen.

This regal burgundy winter cocktail dress for weddings feels absolutely decadent. It’s giving us red velvet cake vibes, but with a sexy and modern twist.

Plus, it has not one but two deep V’s — one in the front and one in the back, for extra drama.

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A cold-weather celebration doesn’t mean you have to totally cover up! Bare some skin this winter with this moody and sophisticated winter cocktail dress with a plunging neckline and open back.

Made with super-soft and stretchy velvet, you’ll be ultra comfortable cozied up next to the fire or working up a sweat on the dance floor.

Although it comes in multiple flattering colors, we obviously had to choose a champagne hue for this stunning winter cocktail dress for weddings! Made with luxe satin, it’s flowy and relaxed, while still capturing those elegant winter vibes. Cheers to that!

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Vibrant winter cocktail dresses for weddings really bring the party spirit, and this jewel-toned magenta look will keep things bright long after the sun sets. Style it with metallic or sparkly accessories for an overall dazzling effect.

The green craze is here to stay — and while we love all the lime hues for warmer months, this rich olive is THE MOMENT for winter. With a sweetheart neckline and a wrap skirt, this winter cocktail dress combines retro refinement with today’s top trends.

It may not be a cocktail dress, but this sleek maroon jumpsuit is party-ready and totally appropriate for a cocktail dress code.

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If dresses aren’t your prerogative, or if you’re looking to keep your legs toasty during those chilly months, a cocktail jumpsuit is a modern and effortlessly cool option. This gorgeous jumpsuit is currently available in 4 different colors/prints.

This cocktail dress for weddings is a chic winter alternative to your favorite summer slip dress. The ruching detail on the sleeves is playful and flattering, and the cut-out in the back is super on-trend. What else can we say? It’s just TOO GOOD.

If you’ve been invited to an evening celebration or black tie optional reception, formal cocktail dresses for weddings will ensure you look the part.

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These picks are the elite of cocktail attire, with stunning fabrics and floor-length silhouettes that bring the drama. Because who doesn’t want to dress like they’re starring in a pivotal scene of

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Classic and sophisticated, this formal cocktail dress for weddings would be stunning for the mother of the bride (or the mother of the groom). The drapery around the shoulders adds a touch of opulence, and we love the little peek of skin on the shoulder.

It can be tough to find formal cocktail dresses for weddings that nail the balance between sexy and sweet, but this gown is here to play. With a sultry

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