A wedding is one of life’s great celebrations - a day filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. And whether you’re attending as the proud mother of the bride, the elegant mother of the groom, or a much-loved guest, what you wear plays a big part in how you feel on the day.
At Scarlett & Jo, we understand that choosing the right plus size wedding guest dress can feel like a big decision. The dress needs to reflect the joy of the occasion, flatter your figure, and keep you comfortable from the ceremony right through to the last dance. It’s a lot to expect from one dress!
That’s why our collections are designed to celebrate curves, blending timeless elegance with thoughtful details that help you feel your confident best, whether it’s a beachside wedding in Cornwall, a Cotswolds country celebration, or a stylish city affair in London. This guide explores the most popular styles, colours, and prints to consider for a wedding, along with seasonal styling advice and tips for different roles in the wedding party.
What Makes the Perfect Plus Size Wedding Guest Dress?
When you’re dressing for a wedding, you’re not just choosing something beautiful: you’re choosing an outfit that supports you through a long, emotional, and exciting day. Here are the essentials to keep in mind:
Comfort: Weddings often last all day, so breathable fabrics and well-cut silhouettes are key. This cannot be the sort of dress that you can only bear to keep on for a few hours before slipping into something more comfortable!
Confidence: The right dress highlights your favourite features and never makes you feel restricted.Occasion-appropriateness: Choosing a dress to attend a wedding is always a bit of a balancing act: it needs to be an occasion dress worthy of the occasion, without overshadowing, and elegant without being overly formal - unless the dress code calls for it.
Versatility: The ideal dress feels right for the ceremony, the photographs, the meal, and the dancefloor.
When you’ve found the right piece, you’ll know instantly: it’s the dress that lets you focus on the people and the moments, rather than worrying about how you look.
Plus Size Wedding Guest Dresses
Our Plus Size Wedding Guest Dresses collection was created to take the stress out of wedding dressing. These gowns strike the perfect balance between celebratory and refined, offering prints and colours that feel timeless, elegant and sophisticated without ever stealing the spotlight from the bride.
Florals for Romance
Floral prints, such as the Isabelle Bottle Green Cream Float Sleeve Maxi Dress, are a classic choice for weddings, and with good reason. They feel joyful, photograph beautifully, and work especially well for spring and summer ceremonies (a popular choice for weddings, for obvious reasons).
Smaller, delicate prints feel timeless and subtle, while larger blooms make a bolder statement. For outdoor weddings, florals often blend harmoniously with the natural setting. Consider the Isabelle Pink Flower Float Sleeve Maxi Dress for a spring wedding, or the Verity Navy Floral Print Gown for a winter wonderland.
Jewel Tones for Evening Elegance
https://www.scarlettandjo.com/collections/velvet/products/elizabeth-wine-velvet-maxi-gown?variant=55983907144062
Weddings that stretch into the evening – or those set in grander venues – often call for a more dramatic look. Jewel tones such as those seen in our luxe Velvets plus size occassionwear collection include tones of emerald green, sapphire blue, and ruby red to bring richness and depth. They flatter a range of skin tones, look striking in photographs, and feel instantly sophisticated.
Floaty Sleeves and Draped Details
Sleeves can make all the difference. Floaty, sheer sleeves add graceful movement while providing coverage for the arms. Angel sleeves, with their flowing cut, add a touch of drama and elegance. Draped waistlines or wrap-effect bodices enhance curves without clinging, ensuring you feel supported and confident throughout the day.
Plus Size Mother of the Bride and Groom Dresses
While the stars of the day are always the bride and groom, few roles at a wedding are as important as being the mother of the bride or groom. It’s your child’s big day, and you should be able to enjoy it at its fullest! Scarlett & Jo’s Mother of the Bride and Groom Dresses are carefully cut to flatter, softly tailored for elegance, and designed with comfort at the heart.
Soft Neutrals and Blush Tones
Blush pinks, taupes, and silvery greys remain timeless favourites. These shades are flattering in daylight, understated enough to let the bridal party shine, and elegant in photographs. They’re also endlessly versatile – easy to pair with metallic accessories and subtle jewellery.
Rich, Regal Colours
For mothers who want a little more impact, regal shades such as navy, deep berry, or plum bring a sophisticated edge. They work especially well for autumn and winter weddings, adding depth and richness to the day’s palette. These colours also look striking against darker backdrops, such as candlelit receptions or evening celebrations.
Structured Yet Comfortable Silhouettes
The perfect plus size mother of the bride dress or plus size mother of the groom dress combines structure with softness. Gently fitted bodices, wrap-style tops, and flowing skirts create balance and elegance, while breathable fabrics ensure comfort through a long day of hugs, tears, and dancing.
Plus Size Occasion Dresses
Sometimes, the most versatile option comes from a collection that spans every type of event. Scarlett & Jo’s Plus Size Occasion Dresses were created to take you seamlessly from milestone birthdays to formal weddings, from garden parties to gala dinners.
Statement Solids
There’s nothing like a bold, single-colour dress to command attention without fuss. And of course, without going as far as upstaging the bride! Think of a sweeping red gown, a classic navy maxi, or a vibrant emerald. Solid colours allow you to experiment with accessories, perhaps adding a sparkling necklace or a dramatic fascinator to complete your look.
Romantic Pastels
Soft pastel shades such as lavender, powder blue, or mint green create a dreamy, romantic aesthetic that feels especially fitting for summer ceremonies. Pastels reflect light beautifully, making them particularly flattering in outdoor photography.
Subtle Sparkle
A little shimmer can take your look all the way from simple to special. Dresses with sequin detailing, metallic thread, or a lace overlay with a hint of shine catch the light beautifully during evening receptions, adding glamour without overpowering.
Seasonal Wedding Style
Choosing the right dress also means thinking about the season in which the wedding takes place. It can entirely change the mood of the wedding, the location (outdoor wedding receptions are unlikely in February!) and the weather - all things to keep in mind when choosing the perfect dress!
Spring: Pastels and florals are natural choices, echoing the freshness of the season. Lightweight fabrics keep you comfortable as the weather warms. A neutral clutch and nude heels complement these shades perfectly.
Summer: Bright shades, sleeveless or float-sleeved dresses, and breathable fabrics are ideal for staying cool during outdoor ceremonies or sunlit receptions. Pair with sandals or wedges that won’t sink into the grass at garden parties!
Autumn: Jewel tones like garnet, sapphire, and deep forest green are great options to echo the richness of the season. Long sleeves or heavier fabrics provide both warmth and elegance. Layer with a shawl in a coordinating tone to carry the look from day to night!
Winter: Luxurious textures - velvet, lace, or subtly embellished fabrics - suit the drama of a winter wedding! Darker hues such as navy, burgundy, or even black (styled with metallic accessories or at least a few splashes of colour) create a sophisticated evening look. Don’t forget a tailored coat for outdoor photographs!
Accessories and Finishing Touches
There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to accessories, but in some cases less is more - a few well-thought-out accessories will always be a better choice than a Christmas tree look! The right accessories elevate your look without overwhelming it!
Shoes: Choose comfort as well as style! Block heels, wedges, or chic flats ensure you can stand, walk, and dance with ease.
Bags: A slim clutch or fold over bag keeps things elegant and practical, while oversized bags tend to disrupt the silhouette.
Jewellery: Match your neckline – a pendant for a V-neck, chandelier earrings for higher cuts. Bracelets or cocktail rings complement floaty sleeves beautifully!
Layering: A bolero or shawl is perfect for cooler evenings or religious ceremonies that require more coverage.
Headwear: For mothers of the bride or groom, a fascinator or small hat frames the face and adds polish. Guests may choose simpler hair accessories for a lighter touch.
Confidence is the Best Accessory
At Scarlett & Jo, we believe the most important thing you can wear to a wedding is confidence. That’s why all of our dresses are designed to celebrate curves, made in the UK with breathable, carefully chosen fabrics, and available in sizes 10–32.
Every woman deserves to find a dress that makes her feel beautiful, no matter her size, shape, or age. Our mission is to ensure that when you slip on your Scarlett & Jo gown, you feel comfortable in your own skin, proud of your body, and ready to embrace the joy of the occasion without worrying for a moment about how you look!
Weddings are about love, connection, and celebration - and your dress should reflect that spirit. Whatever the tone of the occasion or your own personal taste, there’s a perfect dress waiting for you. Explore our wedding guest collections to discover a piece that feels truly yours.
When you feel comfortable and confident, you’ll enjoy every moment of the big day - and that’s what matters most.