The Ultimate Wedding Season Guide of 2025
You have a wedding coming up and you need something to wear. Fortunately, and unfortunately (LOL), I know weddings.
It’s officially January, which means wedding season is just around the corner. I remember the age when everyone I knew started tying the knot; being Middle Eastern, that phase came a lot earlier than the Western average. I had to quickly figure out how to make dresses work: which venues called for which levels of formality, and which brands offered the best value so I could re-wear dresses without feeling like I was on repeat. It’s almost as if my degree is in dresses and making ensembles work over and over again. As challenging as it is, I think it taught me some great lessons and insight in the world of evening-wear… it also made me prone to always having two or more closets just for dresses that I never throw out.
On bit of advice is to always have a classic black dress or something formal in your closet you can whip out last minute.
Navigating this as a guest can be overwhelming, especially if you’re a higher-tier invite like a sibling or favorite cousin. And let’s not even get started on weddings that are way out of your budget (yes, it happens). Bridal party duties can make it even trickier, but fortunately, in my community, we keep it simple. Bridesmaids aren’t expected to do much beyond showing up on time for photos, and yes, they can even wear white (it actually looks stunning in photos).
But I digress.
Below, you’ll find the ultimate guide for Spring 2025 wedding season dresses—minus the wedding dress. From iconic brands to timeless classics you can wear for multiple seasons, I’ve done the heavy lifting for you.
Let’s dive in.
The Hero Brands
I am going to start with the Hero dress, or as some would call a “Season to Season” dress - these are dresses that you can wear to multiple events and are worth the splurge. They are the perfect wedding guest labels. These brands consistently carry great dresses for wedding season.
Alexia Maria
The first brand I would start with is Alexia Maria. Known for their entire collection consisting of faille dresses, they have been a go-to every single time I have worried about what to wear. Their simplicity and range of colors and silhouettes make it a very easy choice. Additionally, because they are so feminine and classic, you can style them multiple ways and wear them over and over. My favorites are their simple pieces like the column gown or maxi skirt.
You can find this brand on their site, or Saks.
Sid Neigum
Sid Neigum is basically the opposite approach to Alexia Maria. Their dresses are super comfortable in knit or other lovely fabrics and exude a sexy and modern vibe. I like to add this option because I feel like Alexia Maria is a very specific aesthetic, and this counters that. My favorite option is the classic triple loop dress, or the triple slit dress.
You can find this brand on their website, Fwrd, and Revolve.
Acler
Acler is a more architectural option. Their prices are amazing for the quality that you get, and I mean… amazing. Some of the most beautiful and original items I own are from this brand whether it be a suit or a gorgeous skirt. They have a full range of categories but their best by far are their dresses. They also have beautiful styles for a day wedding, which I feel like are hard to come by.
You can find this brand on their website, Neiman Marcus or Revolve.
Other great wedding guest brands include:
Rebecca Vallance is a very feminine line of dresses, and always consistent in array of prodicts. You can find them on their website, Net-A-Porter, Saks, & Mytheresa
The New Arrivals Ilkyaz Ozel, a very elegant line of dresses varying in multiple styles. The prices are great too. You can find them on Moda Operandi and Revolve
Khaite is for the modernist gal. The silhouettes are extremely simple and clean. I would say these dresses are the epitome of investment dresses as you end up with multiple ways to style them. You can find them on their website, Net-A-Porter, Elyse Walker, Neiman Marcus & MyTheresa
Taller Marmo is a new brand I discovered that has tons of chic oversized silk kaftans and evening-wear. It’s also an amazing brand if you’re a mom and need something to to your son’s bris. You can find them on Net-A-Porter & MyTheresa
Aje is another very feminine brand, but still a bit more architectural so it feels ultra luxurious. You can find them on their website, Revolve, and Net-A-Porter
Zimmermann is a classic, and I feel like most already know this. I have so many dresses from them, counting back 8+ years that still feel current and beautiful. It doesn’t hurt to invest in this brand. You can find them at their website, Net-A-Porter, & Bergdorf Goodman
Solace London makes amazing gowns, especially this insane work of art. You can find them at Net-A-Poter
Johanna Ortiz is the perfect brand for a tropical wedding. From evening gowns to beach cover ups, there’s enough options for a full weekend. You can find them on Revolve, Net-A-Porter, and Neiman Marcus
Silvia Tcherassi is also an amazing brand to wear to a tropical wedding. They have the most amazing prints. You can find them at Neiman Marcus, Moda Operandi, and Revolve
And last but not least, Ronny Kobo, who always has such great options that feel current and cool. You can find them on their website, Revolve, or Bloomingdales
Guest of Honor
The guest of honor is usually for the family of the bride and groom. This usually means attire is a lot more formal, almost to the same level as the bride. Here are some of the best brands for the mother of the bride & groom or family.
Oscar de la Renta
Oscar de la Renta is my number one choice. As my first job in their Madison Avenue location, the number one customer we would get for evening gowns was always a mother of the bride. It’s ultra-feminine, and the service is amazing for tailoring as the house is right here in New York. I also think they have the best jewelry in the game.
You can find this brand on their website, Net-A-Porter, & Neiman Marcus
Carolina Herrera
Another amazing brand for family of the bride. Similar to Oscar, it carries classic and elegant styles that are timeless and you never regret looking at them in family photos.
You can find this brand on Moda Operandi and Neiman Marcus
Some of my favorite retailers for elaborate evening gowns are:
The Formal Shoe Edit
I feel like a lot of the confusion for getting ready for a wedding can be in the shoe. I have had many instances where I had an amazing dress and got stuck without a shoe. This is not a predicament you want to be in… so here’s my top luxury shoes that I feel go from season to season and never out of style.
The first is a basic black Manolo Blahnik pump, whether in suede or silk. This goes with almost all dresses, especially when the weather is a bit chilly. Either way, you should have BB 90MM pump in your closet because it can be worn to the office, a casual lunch, or a wedding.
The second is a sexy wrap sandal from Rene Caovilla is an amazing piece to have especially for shorter dresses. I feel like there’s a bit of a stigma against shoes like this… but the reality is, it makes the legs look amazing and it can spice the heck out of a very basic dress.
The next is a little sparkle, a little glam, and this time coming from Aquazzura. It comes in nude and metallic silver, personally I like the nude. This shoe should be worn as a neutral for a dress that needs a bit more glam to change the formality or add some detail.
A platform is really necessary especially if you get a gown last minute and need a little height because you can’t hem it - short girl problems here. I picked a pair from Jimmy Choo because I always find them to be comfortable. This one looks like it has a lot of support and the bow area is probably cozy. It also comes in silver.
The kitten heel is for someone who doesn’t want to take their shoes off but knows they’re there to be the life of the party… or you just had a baby, you had too many babies, you hurt your back, or you’re on your fourth wedding of the season and you just don’t care anymore. I personally don’t think it’s less casual to wear a kitten heel with a dress, and with an a-line skirt it’s stunning (another option here). Here is a gorgeous pair from Fendi, and I also love this black pair from Saint Laurent which I feel is a great investment piece.
And last but certainly not least… jewelry.
Dorsey Hastings lab yellow sapphire ring
Lizzie Fortunato green plaza pearl earrings
Sophie Bille Brahe grand ensemble ocean wave 18K yellow gold diamond ring
Dorsey james bezel graduated sapphire riviere necklace
DEZSO BY SARA BELTRÁN 18K yellow gold crystal citrine earrings
L'Atelier Nawbar Bloop Moon 18K Gold Diamond, Malachite Earrings
Lizzie Fortunato Torre black enamel and crystal Earrings
Dorsey lab white sapphire tennis bracelet
Dorsey lab white sapphire ring set in gold
Dorsey lab white sapphire drop earrings
Dorsey lab white asscher cut earrings
Ok, I’m tired now. Hope you enjoyed!