Spring Wedding Guest Dresses: What to Wear by Venue and Dress Code

The best spring wedding guest dresses are light silk and chiffon midis and gowns in soft colour and floral print, chosen to match the dress code and paired with a layer for the evening, since spring days are warm and nights are not. Our wedding guest dresses edit is the place to start, and the Ulla Johnson Pre-Spring 2027 collection has some of the season’s prettiest prints. For a dinner the night before, see rehearsal dinner dresses.

Key facts

• Spring wedding guests should match the dress length to the dress code: floor length for black tie, a midi for cocktail.
• White, ivory and cream solids read as bridal; a print on a cream ground is generally acceptable because the pattern reads first.
• Block heels suit grass and gravel venues, while flat sandals suit beach weddings.
• Ulla Johnson Pre-Spring 2027 includes silk chiffon gowns in wisteria, cosmos peach and the Jasmine print for formal spring weddings.

How do you choose a spring wedding guest dress?

Start with the invitation. The dress code decides length and fabric, and the venue decides shoes and layers. Then think about the weather: spring weddings run from March to June, and an April garden can be cold while a late May terrace is hot.

By dress code

• Black tie. A floor-length gown. In spring, chiffon and satin-faced silk feel lighter than heavy crepe. Our black tie wedding guest dresses guide goes further.
• Formal. A gown, though a dressy silk midi also works.
• Cocktail. A midi dress, and a smart mini with sleeves works too. See our cocktail dresses guide.
• Smart casual. A printed day dress, and a silk blouse with a pleated skirt is just as good.

By venue

A church ceremony suggests covered shoulders, so carry a jacket. A garden and vineyard mean grass and gravel, so pick a block heel. A city hotel and restaurant suit a sleeker midi and a heel. A beach suits a flat sandal and a dress that can take some wind.

Colour and print for spring

Spring is the season for pastel and floral, and both work well on guests. Pale lilac, peach, soft pink and powder blue are all flattering and photograph well in daylight. Florals read as spring straight away.

The one colour to avoid is anything close to the bride’s. White, ivory and cream solids read as bridal, especially in a long silk dress. A print on a cream ground is generally fine because the pattern reads first, but if the print is pale and sparse, choose a stronger colour. Champagne and very pale blush can also look white in photos, so check them in daylight before the day.

The picks: Ulla Johnson Pre-Spring 2027

1. Freesia Gown in Wisteria

The Freesia Gown in soft wisteria lilac satin-faced chiffon is ruched and micro-pleated with gathered tiers and a crisscross back. The answer to a black tie spring wedding.

2. Persephone Off the Shoulder Gown in Cosmos

The Persephone Off the Shoulder Gown in cosmos peach crinkle chiffon, with ruffles, an elastic waist and silver and gold Lurex. Crinkle chiffon also packs well for a wedding abroad.

3. Gossamer Gown in Jasmine

The Gossamer Gown in the Jasmine print, floral bouquets with mint lines, on silk crinkle chiffon with a pleated skirt. A formal choice with real spring colour.

4. Marina Dress in Primrose

The Marina Dress in the Primrose print, a rust and coral floral, is a long-sleeved silk crinkle chiffon midi. Sleeves make it a good church choice.

5. Mariam Flutter Sleeve Dress in Calla Lily

The Mariam Flutter Sleeve Dress is bias-cut in silk crepe de chine with coral calla lilies and green leaves, flutter sleeves and a pleated midi skirt.

6. Rory Dress in Azalea

The Rory Dress in the Azalea print, pink and red flowers, is a sleeveless silk crepe de chine midi with an asymmetrical ruffle. Bright enough for a garden ceremony.

7. Ethel Dress in Ballet

The Ethel Dress in ballet pink silk has a collar, long sleeves and a georgette slip trimmed with Chantilly lace. Pink is firmly guest territory.

8. Linnea Mini Dress in Peony

The Linnea Mini Dress in pale peony pink silk crepe de chine, with a collar, long sleeves and shoulder epaulettes, for a cocktail dress code.

9. Adeline Dress in Amaranthus

The Adeline Dress in the Amaranthus print, dark garnet and rose bouquets, with a peplum waist over a pleated skirt. Deeper colour for an evening reception.

The layer for cool evenings

10. Makila Knit Cardigan in Clove

The Makila Knit Cardigan from Fall 2026, in clove brown merino wool with a shawl collar, a cape overlay and pockets, sits easily over a silk dress once the sun goes down.

Our Ulla Johnson wedding guest dresses edit has more from the brand.

How to wear a spring wedding guest look

• Bring a layer. A cardigan, a cropped jacket and a pashmina all work over silk.
• Pick shoes for the ground: block heels on grass, flat sandals on sand, heels in the city.
• Tone the bag and shoes to one colour in the print rather than matching everything.
• Keep jewellery light on a busy print; go bolder with a plain colour.
• Check the forecast and carry a compact umbrella, because spring weather changes fast.

For more ideas, read how to style Ulla Johnson.

Sizing

Ulla Johnson cuts in US sizes and Coveti lists the UK equivalent: a US 0 is a UK 4, a US 4 is a UK 8 and a US 6 is a UK 10. Knitwear runs P to XL, with P listed as XS. The brand gives no advice to size up on any piece in this drop, so take your usual size. The full charts are in our Ulla Johnson size guide.

More to browse

For further browsing, Zimmermann, Johanna Ortiz and Rebecca Vallance are labels to look at for wedding season. Our brands like Ulla Johnson guide compares the group.

Frequently asked questions

What should you wear to a spring wedding?

A light silk and chiffon dress in soft colour and floral print, at a length set by the dress code, with a layer for the evening.

What colours should you avoid at a spring wedding?

Avoid white, ivory and cream solids, which read as bridal. Champagne and very pale blush can also look white in photographs.

Can you wear a floral dress to a wedding?

Yes. Floral prints are a natural choice for spring weddings, and a print on a cream ground is generally fine because the pattern reads first.

Can you wear black to a spring wedding?

Black is accepted at most modern weddings, especially in the evening, though pastels and florals feel more seasonal in spring.

What length dress for a spring wedding?

Floor length for black tie, a gown and a dressy midi for formal, and a midi and smart mini for cocktail.

What should you wear over a dress at a spring wedding?

A cardigan, a cropped jacket and a pashmina all work, because spring evenings turn cool quickly.

Read next: Garden party dresses, Black tie wedding guest dresses, What is crinkle chiffon?.

By Gemma Deeks, Coveti Fashion Editor. Updated 21 October 2026.