Long sleeve wedding guest dresses for church and reception

A half-circle skirt for the first dance

The band starts at nine and you plan to be up for every song. That’s when we’d put you in knee-length velvet with a half-circle skirt. It flares on every turn.

The emerald one has a round neck and long sleeves, and in January you can leave the bolero at home. Burgundy hides a little surprise. From the front it’s closed, round neck and cuffed sleeves, and then there’s a cutout on the back that only shows when you spin around in the middle of the dance floor with your cousins. Put your hair up for that one.

Mid-height heels last all night. Gold earrings look warm on both colors. The skirt is loose, so we’d size these two by your bust and waist.

Velvet to the floor for an evening ceremony

An invitation for six o’clock with dinner after usually means long. Our burgundy velvet gown reaches the floor. It has a round neck and long sleeves. A slit on one side opens with each step. Wear heels so the hem clears the ground, and carry a tiny bag with no rhinestones.

At the fitting, walk a few steps and then sit down. Do it in the shoes you’ll actually wear that day, because a floor-length hem changes with every inch of heel.

Prefer navy? Our mermaid gown stays close until the knee, where the skirt widens, and it looks great in evening photos. Silver earrings suit that deep blue better than gold. Pick the size by your hips.

Belted midis for church, satin for July

Church at noon, restaurant at four. A midi is the safe bet there, and the burgundy velvet midi has a slim belt, a shallow V-neck and a hem that covers your knees. Steady heels and skin-tone tights.

Summer weddings get satin. Our emerald satin wrap is a mini, and the long sleeves balance out the short length at a ceremony. It belongs to the summer line and comes back to the catalog each spring. Most of our wedding guest long sleeve dresses are velvet, though, and white or ivory stays with the bride. Always.

More hems with sleeves are on our page of dresses with sleeves. Invited in October? Look at guest dresses for an autumn wedding, or go straight to the longest gowns with sleeves.

Frequently asked questions

Is velvet too much for a daytime wedding?

Not in winter. For a noon ceremony, go with a midi or the knee-length half-circle and keep the jewelry small.

Will black look too somber on a guest?

At an evening wedding it looks festive. Gold earrings and a bright clutch do the rest.

What should I pick for a ceremony in church?

A round neck and a long sleeve wedding guest dress that covers the knees, like the belted burgundy midi or one of the floor-length gowns.