Maternity Style: The Best Bump-Friendly Wedding Guest Dresses for Every Style and Season (2024)

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Size Range: 0-4 | Colors: Indigo, Sky Blue | Material: Viscose

Simple, sweet, and understated, this navy blue maternity dress can do no wrong. The best part is that it's both pretty and practical. It features a nursing-friendly placket, under-the-bust smocking, and an empire waist so you're comfortable and prepared for the evening ahead.

Size Range: 2-12 | Colors: Red Floral | Material: Polyester

Off-the-shoulder necklines flatter most body types and take a subtle approach to showing a glint of skin. This style uses a cold-shoulder silhouette for a whimsical effect. Softly draped fabric highlights the shoulders and arms, while the satiny fabric has a bright floral design. Replete with a dainty drape and a charming tie, the back is best shown off while twirling on the dance floor at the reception.

Size Range: XS-XL | Colors: Mango, Black, White | Materials: Cotton, Polyester, Rayon

Comfort and head-turning style don’t always go hand-in-hand, but this midi dress has both. The peppy hue brings a festive pop of color to any reception, and the off-shoulder puff sleeves are also perfect for a party. The skirt has a roomy, relaxed fit, while the smocked back is elasticized for extra comfort and give. Depending on the wedding’s dress code, you could make this a bit more soignee with a chignon and some statement jewelry. Or, pair it with beaded sandals for a relaxed destination wedding on the beach.

Size Range: 0-4 | Colors: Black | Material: Rayon, Spandex

When the dress code is black-tie, something long, sleek, and dark fits the bill every time. This versatile take on formal attire has a leg slit and an asymmetrical neckline to give it a bit of edge —but its fit is disarmingly comfy. Made from stretchy, soft jersey, the ankle-grazing dress is easy to wear, and to jazz up with formal footwear. For a black-tie wedding, shoes in a fancy texture such as velvet or leather are always a nice touch.

Size Range: 2-14 | Colors: Purple Floral | Material: Silk, Viscose

Florals for spring might not be groundbreaking, but they are a classic choice for bringing sweet, seasonal flair to a springtime event. With a roomy empire waist, this silky maxi dress would be perfectly at home at an elegant garden ceremony or twirling on the dance floor at a tented reception. It was designed for use before, during, and after pregnancy, so you can store it for several springtime weddings to come. To highlight the dress’s fresh feel, opt for a soft beauty look with a touch of shimmer.

Size Range: S-L | Colors: Black, Pink, White | Material: Polyester

With a short, swishy skirt and polka dots on its sleeves, this dress embodies gamine wedding-guest style. Ruffles add more whimsy to the party dress, and its empire waistline leaves plenty of room for a burgeoning belly. The dress comes in three colors. The black version —which puts an elegant, nighttime-ready spin on the look—is the most versatile. This dress can be worn before and after pregnancy. And, speaking of gamine, it would pair beautifully with leather ballet flats for some Audrey Hepburn-style flair.

Size Range: XS-XXXL | Colors: 20 | Material: Polyester

Though not technically classified as a maternity dress, this dreamy, flowy dress falls under Baltic Born’s “bump-friendly” category. With a dark floral pattern and a floor-skimming maxi skirt, the dress is made for a laidback wedding with a bohemian flair. Pair it with a soft beauty look and whimsical accessories with a natural touch. A flower crown, for example, would cap off the look in a perfectly free-spirited way.

Size Range: XS-XXL | Color: Cantaloupe | Material: Satin, Polyester, Spandex

In a poppy hue with a satiny gleam, this long-sleeved style has a throwback appeal. Its poet sleeves and built-in neck scarf give it a touch of retro glamour, while its loose, flowing fit will keep you relaxed and comfortable during the ceremony and through to the last dance. A sleek chignon will play up its party-ready appeal, and a bronzed beauty look would pair nicely with its beachy hue.

Size Range: 0-4 | Color: Jade, Rosewood | Material: Polyester

A simple slip dress is a comfortable option for a wedding with a more casual dress code —and it oozes ‘90s nostalgia. (After all, the era’s iconic bride Carolyn Bessette wore a slip dress on her wedding day.) This bias-cut style by Hatch has a breezy silhouette and is available in a Jade color that lends some jewel-hued glam. Add some festive shoes to give the dress more of a special occasion feel. And if the ceremony is in a church, bring a shawl to cover your shoulders.

Size Range: S-L | Color: Pink | Materials: Cotton

If there’s any setting that calls for tiers, tie sleeves, and a pattern that’s as bright as a tropical-fruit mocktail, it’s a beach wedding. This floor-grazing—or should we say sand-grazing?—style is extra comfortable. It has an empire waist and a stretchy smocked top for a breezy, relaxed fit. Play up its brightness with a bold beauty look: This is your moment to play with a coral or bright pink lip.

Size Range: XS-3XL | Color: 24 | Materials: Viscose, Polyester

The sartorial equivalent of a lush, wild rose garden, this dreamy dress oozes fairytale appeal. Its embroidered pattern puts a textured twist on a more typical floral look and its floaty sleeves are covered with delicate vines. With a roomy elastic waistline, the dress has a crossover top that makes it friendly for nursing. Such an eye-popping pattern speaks for itself, so this look plays best with simple accessories. Consider a classic ballet flat and a dewy beauty look that melds with the dress’s storybook-chic aesthetic.

Size Range: 4-20 | Colors: 6 | Material: Polyester, Elastane

The beautiful blush hue and an elegant off-the-shoulder neckline are at once romantic and sophisticated. And the uniquely structured sleeves add an eye-catching touch. Is pink not your thing? Opt for one of the six other color options available.

Size Range: 0-6 | Color: Black, Pink | Material: Polyester

If you’re hunting for an easy, versatile dress then this floral mini is a smart pick. It would go with just about any handbag or footwear pairing, and the earthy florals make it perfect for a fall ceremony.

Size Range: 0-14 | Colors: Navy, Sky Blue | Materials: Viscose, Elastane, Polyamide | Length: Floor

If you’re going to a more formal ceremony, this floor-length gown option is a no-brainer. We especially love the lace back with keyhole detailing. Add in low-heel metallic sandals for a pop of texture.

Meet the Expert

Tiffany London is the founder and creative director ofTiffany Rose Maternity–a British brand specializing in maternity occasion dresses and bridal wear.

FAQ

• What are the most maternity-friendly dress silhouettes?

  Some universally flattering and bump-friendly silhouettes are empire waist dresses, wrap dresses, A-line, and body-skimming dresses. However, finding the right maternity dress is all about choosing a silhouette that flatters your body type and makes you look and feel your best.

• What dress fabrics are the most comfortable for pregnant wedding guests?

  "The comfiest fabrics are those with soft stretch and are also breathable," says London."The stretch makes it kinder and softer on your growing curves so they can be accommodated without restriction.During pregnancy, your temperature can fluctuate with many women claiming they feel warmer than usual, so it’s beneficial that any figure-hugging styles are made with breathable fabrics like a viscose/elastane blend."

• Can I wear a non-maternity guest dress?

  "It is completely fine to choose a non-maternity dress, but word of warning, it can sometimes be more trouble than it’s worth–so you just need to be prepared for that," London advises. "My advice would be that if you want to be the best-dressed guest, choose a style that has been specially designed for pregnancy by a reputable brand/designer.Otherwise, you will run into fit problems further down the line, and then the dress will be wearing you, not the other way around."
  She notes that it’s easy to forget that it’s not just your bump that will grow, your bust size will increase and your rib cage will expand.

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