What to Wear to a Wedding the French Way

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m getting married in June this year (although if you’ve been reading me for a while, you probably know I tend to be quite discreet about my private life). I thought, what better occasion than to share a selection of beautiful dresses if you’re invited to a wedding this year, or even for any special event.

Many of you often ask me what to wear to a wedding, and early April felt like the perfect moment to put this together, whether you’re attending a wedding in May, June, July, or even September. Choosing what to wear to a wedding can be surprisingly complicated: the fear of making a faux pas, of being too dressed up, or, on the contrary, not dressed up enough.

In this selection, I wanted to share a French approach to wedding guest style, staying chic and elegant without effort, and never feeling overdressed. I also focused on dresses that you’ll likely be able to wear again for other occasions.

PS. Over the past few weeks (and months), I’ve also spent quite a bit of time saving pieces for my own wedding, white pieces, in this case. If you’d like, I could also put together a “white edit” for those of you getting married this year or next, or even for a summer white party. Let me know in the comments if this is something you’d enjoy.

A French Approach to Wedding Guest Style

Here are a few guidelines I’ve naturally developed over the years, through the weddings I’ve attended and my own personal experience.

First, don’t overthink it. The star of the day is the bride, so the idea is to be well dressed, but without trying to do too much. This usually means avoiding ultra-tight dresses, very short lengths, deep necklines, or overly revealing silhouettes. Of course, this is just my personal perspective, but I tend to gravitate toward softer, more fluid shapes that feel elegant without effort.

When it comes to colors, I’ve slightly changed my mind about black. I once wore a black tweed dress from Sandro (very Chanel-inspire) with a beautiful crystal necklace integrated into the neckline. It felt very chic. But while black remains elegant, if many guests wear it, the atmosphere can quickly feel less festive. In hindsight, I don’t find it the most joyful option for such a happy occasion. So what colors should you choose? I personally avoid all shades of white, including off-white, cream, and ivory. Instead, I recommend soft tones or refined, vibrant colors that complement your complexion. And of course, always refer to the dress code shared by the couple.

Short or long? Here too, my perspective has evolved. I now find that midi (above the ankle) and long dresses tend to feel more appropriate for weddings. They naturally look more elegant and formal, whereas shorter dresses can sometimes feel slightly less refined.

Another tip I always follow is to prepare two or three options ahead of time. Weddings often depend on the weather, the setting, or simply how you feel that day. Having a few alternatives allows you to decide at the last minute, and choose what feels most effortless.

So without further ado, here is my selection of wedding guest dresses.

Some links in this article are shared with compensation from Net-a-Porter and Reformation. It’s not sponsored, all writing and choices are my own. If you choose to buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission, always at no extra cost to you. Merci.