41 Wedding-Guest Dresses for Every Type of Wedding (2025)

FAQs

How many wedding dresses does the average person try on? ›

On average, brides try on about 4–7 dresses, but we recommend no more than 10. The more wedding gowns you try on, the more confusing things may get. When the bridal gown selection is too big, brides tend to get overwhelmed and struggle to remember what the first gown they tried on looked like.

Both pros agree: There's no hard and fast rule to follow when it comes to the number of wedding looks you can showcase. “I've had brides with as many as three wedding day looks (ceremony, reception, and after-party) but I've also had brides stay in one dress the whole day,” notes Hurwitz.

It doesn't have to be extra

Many brides only visit one store, try on 5-8 dresses, and bring along 1-2 guests.

The Average Cost of a Wedding Dress

In the bridal fashion world, prices are based on several contributing elements, which we outline below. Based on these factors, a dress might cost anywhere from $500 to $4,000 (though they can get much more expensive).

One rule of thumb suggests that brides allocate ten percent of their total wedding budget to their wedding dress. So, if you're planning to spend $10,000 or less on your big day, wedding dresses under $1000 fit that budget quite nicely (and maybe even leaves you extra for the honeymoon!).

The most common sizes sampled are bridal sizes 10 or 12, with outliers on either end. These samples sizes can be tried on by most, but rarely do they fit perfectly. You read that correctly; most of our samples are going to be a little big or a little snug on you, and that's perfectly normal.

According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, the average cost of a wedding gown is $2,000. While, of course, off-the-rack gowns may be priced lower, more luxurious gowns can sometimes fall in the $3,000 to $8,000 range. Customized dresses can even cost as much as $10,000.

Neutral shades are timeless options that won't detract from the wedding's formal atmosphere. For a more colorful look, consider wearing shades of blue, lavender, or pink to show that you're in the celebratory spirit. If the wedding is in a tropical destination, opt for colors like yellow, orange, and green.

Traditionally, the mother of the bride, sisters, and the closest friend (or friends) are involved in the dress hunt. Your future mother-in-law can be invited, too, if you're tight with her and you want her to take part.

Do you show anyone your wedding dress? ›

Anyone you want. But there is an element of surprise when seeing the bride. I would try to limit it to the wedding party, parents, and maybe just one or two very close friends/family members. We chose to do “first look” pictures before the wedding to save time after the ceremony.

Taking the Lead and Shopping Schedules

Traditional etiquette dictates that the mother of the bride takes the lead and shops for her wedding attire first; then, the mother of the groom can choose her dress. However, many modern women use this advice as more of a guideline than a strict rule.

Most brides should try on between four and seven gowns and shouldn't try more than 10, because it will lead to confusion. Often, a bride is trying on dress after dress because she's just enjoying the shopping experience and defers making a commitment.

We recommend allowing at least 2-3 hours for your visit so you can try on as many dresses as you like without feeling rushed. We encourage you to select 4 dresses of different styles initially and get a feel for what you like.

Versatility: Having two dresses allows the bride to wear a more traditional gown for the ceremony, followed by a fun or glamorous outfit for the reception. It's an excellent way to showcase different aspects of her style and personality without compromise.