Destination Love: Stateside Travel + Shein Dresses for Bridesmaids/Wedding Guests

Imagine a time when the leaves change colors, and it feels like love is everywhere. Well, that's what it felt like from October to December for me – a special time filled with weddings! I was able to attend weddings in Texas and out of state! Being a supportive friend and an excited guest at these weddings was so much fun! Lots of laughter and great memories in different places. And guess what? I didn't spend a ton of money on wedding guest/bridesmaid dresses! I found appropriate and perfect-occasion dresses on Shein that didn't break the bank. In this blog, I want to showcase these dresses and also tell you about the states and cities we traveled to for each wedding. Come along with me as we explore love, travel, and stylish clothes.

Wedding #1 - Hastings, Minnesota

The first wedding to kickoff the season was in Hastings, Minnesota for my boyfriend's host sister. Gorgeous farmhouse style wedding with beautiful views and even better weather.

I was my boyfriend's plus one and my wedding guest dress is linked here and received so many compliments all night! It was only $33 but felt as if it was worth so much more. Wearing a size small and had limited stretch. The details on this dress was perfect.

My backup dress is linked here and still a wonderful wedding guest dress!

For this three day trip, we rented a car to give us freedom to explore and found ourselves enjoying Minneapolis' local coffee shops and Mall of America.

Wedding #2 - Bishop, Texas

Wedding #2 was for my Kappa Delta Chi sorority sister and lifelong friend, Sam. The wedding was just a few miles away from my college town. Who knew Bishop, Texas was hiding this gorgeous country club inspired with gorgeous wooden pillars, venue?! The venue was secluded in it's own private area. You'd have to drives miles in to find it or even see it.

I was a bridesmaid in Sam's wedding and I found the most elegant and divine bridesmaid dress (fitting the emerald green color scheme) which is linked here. Throughout the night, I was asked a few times where I purchased this velvet dress! Would you believe me if I told you it was on sale for only $19 and is STILL in stock? Wearing a size small and had a lot of stretch. I actually did not have a backup dress so I am so glad this fit PERFECTLY. I didn't even have to get it altered. I am 5'4 for reference and with 3 inch heels, it was perfect. My rhinestone bow earrings are also from Shein linked here and are surprisingly, great quality!

Wedding #3 - San Antonio, Texas

The third wedding of the season was in San Antonio, Texas just a couple days before Christmas. This wedding meant the absolute universe to me because my lifelong childhood bestfriend and college roomie tied the knot and looked absolutely immaculate doing it!! The venue was a modern twist on an urban, rustic barn.

She made the decision to have no bridesmaids (to which I actually was a huge fan of) which meant that I needed the perfect "by bestie is getting married" wedding guest dress. This red bandage dress fit the occasion for a pre-chistmas wedding. The quality definitely felt more rich than the dress cost. This $34 dress can be found here and is a size small with no stretch or room. My chain detail clear strap nude heels are also from Shein and can be found here. The quality of these heels are great and extremely comfortable. I danced the night away in these with absolutely no pain.

Wedding #4 - Mesa, Arizona

6 years ago, I spent a few months in Kansas at an internship with a Kansas Collegiate League baseball team called the Wellington Heat. I became instant besties with the owner's daughter, Kylee. It was fate. We spent the summer at baseball games, looking for new coffee shops and exploring Kansas. I convinced her that one of the baseball players on the team had a crush on her and she needed to give him a chance. Fast forward to now and that chance turned into a beautiful wedding! The last wedding to close out the season was in gorgeous Mesa, Arizona where the sky always looks fake and there mountains are picture perfect and there are Saguaro Cactus everywhere you look. This boho wedding with desert landscaping was hands down, the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to.

Since I played matchmaker and destiny aligned for us to be besties, I was asked to be a bridesmaid. This modest navy dress is a size small, linked here and provided plenty of stretch and comfortability. For only $46, you can't go wrong for a classic bridesmaid dress to get it done on the big day. Again, I am 5'4 and wearing 4 inch heels here and it fit perfectly. I did not need alterations.

We rented a car for this three day trip and were able to explore more of the surrounding cities such as Phoenix and Scottsdale. If you ever get the chance, definitely rent a car to make the most out of your Arizona experience! These cities are not to far apart and each one has it's own twist and charm with neat things to do, tasty places to eat and beautiful scenery.

If you have any questions about how to style what to wear to weddings, reach out to me! I love helping out! I hope this blog has been insightful on affordable yet stylish wedding guest/bridesmaid dresses and the fun places we visited. If you want to know further details about the cool things we did in these different states, I've got some tips! Thanks for reading my blog – see you all next time!

XOXO,

Tess