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Somewhere between the save-the-date and the RSVP deadline, every wedding guest ends up in the same place: 11 browser tabs open, hunting for a dress that’s elegant, definitely not white, and hopefully not the same as 3 other guests or the bridesmaids.
The good news is that some of the best brands to shop at for weddings are partnered with Refundid, which enables fast, easy returns or exchanges whilst you’re still deciding. Between them, they cover a wide range of wedding themes. The trick is knowing which brand to go to for which wedding.
Here are some brands worth knowing in 2026, roughly ordered from investment pieces down to dresses that won’t hurt the bank as much if you end up only wearing them once.
Aje
Aje has become the go-to brand for the Australian garden wedding and for good reason. The label’s signature is sculptural volume: exaggerated sleeves, bows, raffia trims and full skirts that feel like an event in themselves.
If the invitation says “formal” or “cocktail” this is a great brand to look at. Aje also has the widest price spread on this list. Simpler cotton and linen pieces sit around $400–$600, while the sculptural gowns climb into designer-tier pricing. It's not cheap, but Aje pieces hold their resale value unusually well, and the quality means you'll likely wear one again at the next few weddings on your calendar.
Best for: garden and daytime weddings, winery weddings, black tie — anyone who wants a statement without sequins.
Price range: $300–$1,000
Camilla
Camilla has built a reputation as a global print powerhouse through its ready-to-wear and resort lines. With a focus on their vibrant, hand-illustrated signature prints, the label's approach goes well beyond simply avoiding white — each piece is built around intricate designs inspired by global travels, historic textiles, and botanical motifs, so you're rarely blending into the crowd. Dresses are made from natural fibres like silk, linen and cotton, which gives them a weight and drape that reads as considered and elegant.
It sits at the pricier end of this list alongside Aje, but the payoff is versatility. A bold Camilla print works just as well for a vineyard lunch as it does for an evening reception, so it tends to earn its keep across more than one wedding season. The brand also holds B-Corp certification, so if sustainability credentials are important to you, this is a plus.
Best for: Garden, outdoor, coastal, or cocktail wedding receptions — anyone who wants to be remembered for their print, not just their dress
Price range: $400–$1,000+
Bec + Bridge
Bec + Bridge has built a strong reputation across both formal wear and elevated everyday pieces, which makes it a very strong pick for wedding guest dresses. The brand leans heavily into one-piece dressing, with colourful knit midi dresses and silky slip styles as core offerings. These tend to be easy to wear and low-maintenance shapes rather than overly structured or fussy. Many pieces are timeless in style so you'd reach for them again well beyond a single wedding season.
The brand describes itself as grounded in style, strength, and confidence. Expect bold prints and metallics, flirty and trend-driven pieces that skew slightly younger than others on this list, with more of a fun, party-ready feel.
The brand has also spoken publicly about its efforts toward ethical fashion, including donating end-of-line stock to organisations like Thread Together rather than letting it go to waste.
Best for: evening and reception-style weddings, black tie — fun, trend-driven, party-ready
Price range: $240–$450
Shona Joy
Ask a bridesmaid what she’s wearing and there’s a decent chance the answer is Shona Joy. The brand is known for timeless, elegant silhouettes with a fresh, understated edge. They are great for weddings, whether it's a breezy destination affair or a polished cocktail celebration. And for anyone dressing a bump, Shona Joy's thoughtfully designed maternity styles make it an easy, stylish choice.
Best for: Black-tie or formal reception, Cocktail
Price range: $250–$450
Dissh
Dissh is your most accessible and affordable option here, with simple, flattering silhouettes — Think slip dresses and wrap styles that don’t require too much overthinking. Their linen dresses, bow details, and lighter fabrics suit outdoor, warm-weather settings really well
Best for: Daytime, garden, cocktail receptions or coastal weddings
Price range: $150-$300
Sheike
Sheike has been dressing Sydney for engagement parties and weddings for decades, and it occupies a genuinely useful middle ground: more structure and polish than a fast-fashion boutique, meaningfully cheaper than a designer label. Expect corsetry, pleating and colour. It’s also one of the easier labels to shop by dress code because the range is built around occasions rather than trends.
Best for: cocktail weddings
Price range: $140-$230
Billy J
Billy J is a bit more of a niche, indie label — feminine, often floral or textured, with a bit an editorial edge. The range shifts season to season more than most, but they often have a stunning collection of wedding guest dresses.
Best for: Outdoor, Cocktail, something a bit different.
Price range: $70-$150
Sorting an outfit for your plus-one while you're at it? Our guide to the best perfume for men in 2026 covers the fragrance side, from a small-batch Sydney house to the biggest names in niche.
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