What kind of evening bag should you wear as a wedding guest? Find out how to accessorize with the best clutch bags for wedding guests in this post. Subscribe for the latest advice + tips to your inbox.
You’ve already picked out the best wedding guest dress… and now it’s time to accessorize! Shoes are just one part of the fashion equation, but should you carry a purse? Yes!
An evening bag or clutch purse is the perfect finishing touch for any wedding guest outfit.
You don’t want just any bag, you want the best clutches to wear to a wedding and I’m your girl. I’ve been eyeing clutches to wear to an upcoming wedding and needed to find one to wear with the guest dress I selected.
So let’s tackle this fashion conundrum together. ;)
In this blog post, I’m rounding up the most stylish clutches for wedding guests and helping you decide what kind of bags to wear with what color dress you picked out. This will ensure you’re on the right fashion track.
Scroll to the bottom of this list for a bit more insight if needed including what to put in your evening bag so you’re stocked with the essentials.
Let’s get started!
Clutches for Wedding Guests to Wear
1. Navy Blue Beaded Clutch, $55
Go with a classic shade of navy blue with intricate beading on this bag. It fits a little more than the essentials, so it’s great if you like to put a lot in your evening bag.
2. + 3. Sequin Crossbody Bag, $90
This gorgeous, highly-rated crossbody bag is my new fave! It is beautiful in every color… I can’t pick which one I like the most! Shown below in blue and pink. See more here. From Anthropologie.
4. + 5. Crinkled Champagne Clutch Bag with Clasp, $75
Handmade with love by ANGEE W., this stunning champagne-colored clutch bag goes with everything for the ultimate guest accessory.
Also available in grey and pink (shown below).
6. Multi Floral Beaded Clutch with Gold Chain, $51
Three cheers for this clutch purse that is every bit as cute in person as it looks online! Highly-rated by customers. Get it here.
7. Hot Pink Satin Clutch Bag, $38
Channel your inner dreamgirl with this hot pink satin clutch with a bow. So fun!
8. Red Woven Clutch, $48
A stunning little red clutch that will work the room and look exceptional with your guest outfit! By designers Mali + Lili. Available here. More colors, too!
9. Pleated Faux Leather Clutch, $78
When you’re looking for an evening bag that goes with everything, choose this clutch purse in faux leather. By Anthropologie. Buy here.
10. Hot Pink Beaded Floral Bag, $58.99
This handcrafted beaded floral bag is one of my top picks for summer weddings. It’s so much fun to carry and looks amazing with so many different guest outfit colors. By TwineandLove.
11. Brocade Peacock Clutch Bag, $59
This handmade clutch bag features elegant and luxurious brocade fabric with a peacock inspired design and iridescent shimmer. By LostInTimeInc.
12. Sequin and Floral Clutch Bag with Chain, $57
This is the best evening bags for wedding guests to carry at a formal wedding when they want to complete the outfit. It adds a sparkling touch to any outfit and will be a true statement piece. Available here.
13. + 14. Black Vegan Leather Wallet Clutch with Chain, $29
Available in black or blush pink, this unique wallet chain clutch has exactly what you need for a wedding date and a night on the town. It’s versatile, so you’ll definitely use it more than just once.
15. Woven Light Blue Evening Bag with Chain, $80
The Frankie is a bag unlike any we’ve seen: it’s woven with a soft, shimmery blue color and a nice long chain to wear on your shoulder. By Anthropologie. I also love it in lavender!
16. Paisley Lace Navy and Black Bag, $75
Navy and black look so stunning together and when you pair it with lace, you have one of the best wedding guest bags to carry! Get it from ANGEE W.
17. Faux Leather Green Clutch, $78
This mini bag packs quite a punch of color! Love it in green. See more colors here from Anthropologie.
18. Japanese Knot Satin Evening Bag, $26
A unique Japanese knot evening bag, made with love by SenamonBoutique.
19. Hot Pink Straw Clutch, $68
Hey, summer guest: you’ll look so cute carrying this straw clutch bag in hot pink! Also lovin’ it in orange. By Anthropologie.
20. Hand-Sewn Beaded Clutch Bag in Gold, $58.99
A beautiful, one-of-a-kind handmade evening bag is perfect for wedding guests to carry and features a cute scalloped detail. By TwineandLove.
21. Beige Multi-Floral Clutch Bag, $54
Perfect for summertime, and exceptional for fall weddings, this beige multi-floral clutch bag is the best accessory to wear with your guest attire. I love the way it looks paired with this elegant color dress, too. Buy here.
22. Framed Grey Envelope Handbag, $29
A cute, handmade handbag that is perfect for a special occasion. Shown in grey; available in other colors here. By DSbagsdesign.
23. Bright Yellow Clutch, $35
If you’re bringing a bold, bright bag, go all in with this sunny yellow clutch purse! It’s perfect for summertime weddings.
24. Dark Pink and Red Floral Beaded Clutch, $49
Whether you pair this with a black dress or are wondering what kind of wedding clutch to wear with a red dress, you’ll love this beaded bag. It’s absolutely beautiful!
25. Broze and Gold Floral Brocade, $85
Make a statement as you carry this wedding guest clutch bag featuring bronze, black, and gold accents throughout. By ANGEE W.
26. Embroidered Red and Gold Clutch Bag with Chain, $58
The scalloped flap on this one is a favorite detail! It features beautiful floral embroidery, sequins, and gold beading. Love this one! The chain can be tucked inside the bag if you prefer to carry it as a wedding guest clutch instead.
27. Beige Floral Beaded Clutch, $49
Carry this beaded evening bag featuring elegant floral design that goes with everything! I especially like this as an accessory with a black dress or jumpsuit, as shown.
28. Dahlia Sequin Floral Dahlia Clutch Bag, $95
Get this stunning evening bag, handmade by ANGEE W., to wear to the wedding.
29. Pink Floral Clutch with Silver Chain, $45
For an evening bag that really pops, go with this floral clutch bag with silver metal chain that will add a fun touch to your outfit.
30. Chic Black Clutch Bag with Tassel, $39
For goes-with-every-outfit style, pick up one of these black clutch bags that you’ll use for all kinds of special events to come! It’s so sophisticated and stylish.
I’m including two photos of this insanely cute wedding guest clutch bag because I love it so. It’s the perfect summertime accessory and will go amazingly well with your casual wedding guest outfit.
32. Gold Beaded Clutch with Scalloping, $60
This is the best clutch to wear with your elegant wedding guest outfit and features intricate bead-work and scalloping on the flap. I love this one!
33. Designer Clutch Bag with Floral Print, $325
For a true designer quality bag, go with this beauty by Loeffler Randall. It’s stunning.
34. Retro Floral Bloom Bag, $46
I bet this evening bag will look adorable paired with a bright pop of color, like the green shade as shown here. It really draws your attention to the beaded floral pattern.
35. Evening Bag with Multi Beads and Sequins, $54
When you need an evening bag with many styles, go with this clutch purse: you can match nearly any wedding guest outfit to it. It’s the wedding clutch that goes with everything!
36. Cute Retro Floral Print Black Clutch, $49
This print is adorable! For a fun throwback look, pair your wedding guest outfit with this evening bag featuring beaded florals allover.
37. Blue Sequin Evening Bag, $39
There’s only one left of this amazing evening bag in shiny, shimmery metallic blue. Love this evening bag paired with a wedding guest outfit in black or navy.
38. Vegan Leather Beige Envelope Bag, $39
Made of premium vegan leather, this soft and sumptuous evening bag for wedding guests is an elegant accessorizing piece. It’s a versatile bag you’ll end up using more than just as a guest at a wedding. Brunch, anyone?
39. Velvet Green and Pink Evening Bag with Chain, $46
Go with this elegant evening bag when you want to dress to the 9’s! Love this velvety texture and the color combinations shown.
40. Gold Evening Bag with Elegant Beading, $35
Carry this pretty purse featuring shimmery bead-work and elegant sequins for a fantastic night out.
41. Beaded Bird Clutch Bag, $98
Are you the fun wedding guest? Carry this fashion piece and make a statement at the wedding featuring birds with feathered bead-work allover.
42. Green Fringe Bag, $78
This green fringe bag is so much fun and brims with modern boho style. Available in tan or black here.
43. Woven Satin Orange Clutch Bag, $88
There are many available colors on this woven clutch but I love it especially in the bright shade of orange here! See more on Anthropologie here.
First, let’s talk about whether you need a purse at all.
Should I bring a purse to a wedding?
Yes! Absolutely, 100%. You should definitely bring a purse to a wedding as a guest to hold your must-haves and have them close at hand. You don’t want to be leaving your phone and wallet at the table or asking your partner to hold alllll of your things. ;)
Now that you know you should bring one, what kind of bag you should wear to a wedding as a guest? That’s a bit trickier than a simple yes or no. But you’ll figure it out based on the formality of the wedding and the color of the dress you wear.
What kind of evening bag should a wedding guest wear?
This will depend on your outfit and the formality of the wedding.
Here’s a simple cheat sheet of what color bag to wear with what color dress.
What color bag to wear with what color dress
What Bag to Wear With Red Dress
A red dress goes with many different colors, but I recommend neutral, black, silver, or gold. If you opt for a multi-colored bag, it works best if there’s a pop of the same shade of red on the evening bag as your dress.
What Bag to Wear With Navy Dress
Wearing a navy wedding guest dress? Carry an evening bag that is black, beige, pink, or red for a pop of color. Truly, most colors pair beautifully with navy blue, so choose one you love and make sure it ties into the season nicely.
What Bag to Wear With Black Dress
It’s so easy to accessorize a black dress for a wedding with nearly any color of bag. You can choose a simple black bag with metallic adornments on it, a gold or silver chain, or go totally bold and bright with a colorful bag that will add that finishing statement piece.
What Bag to Wear With Pink Dress
A pink wedding guest dress can be worn with a silver bag, a colorful purse that borrows the same shade of pink as your outfit, or greens and blues.
What Bag to Wear With Orange Dress
An orange wedding outfit goes perfectly with a gold-toned evening bag. If you’d prefer, pair it with jewel tones, rich shades, or neutrals. Surprisingly, a pop of blue looks elegant as an evening bag with an orange wedding guest dress.
What Bag to Wear With Grey Dress
Grey goes with anything but I love it when it’s paired with a red evening bag, blush, hot pink, or purple. I also like a bold blue: think Royal Blue or Navy, paired with your grey dress.
How to Accessorize a Floral Print Dress
Instead of going busy with the dress print and the evening bag, choose one to focus on. If you’ve selected a patterned or floral print dress, carry an evening bag to the wedding that is a sold color to complement a tone of the outfit.
• If you’re wearing a patterned dress, carry a solid-color clutch.
• If you’re wearing a solid-colored dress, it’s fun to mix up your look with a patterned evening bag for the wedding.
What Kind of Evening Bag to Wear to a Wedding as a Guest
The most popular choice is a special occasion clutch bag, which is a purse without a chain or a strap and is carried by holding it with one hand. A clutch holds the essentials you need to have on-hand without being too bulky: your phone and wallet should fit inside perfectly.
Clutch purses for wedding guests vary in style, from extremely formal with elegant beadwork, rhinestones, and sequins to more casual and fun, like bright poppy colors and designs that will make a statement with your outfit.
Wedding vs Wedding Guest Clutch Bags
The wedding clutch a bride wears is significantly different than guests because, well, she’s The Bride.
The bride’s clutch will likely be formally decked out in rhinestones and classic pearls. The color of the clutch will be white or ivory to match her gown and will feature some type of bridal element: lace, chiffon, tulle, a feminine bow, pearls, crystals, a brooch, etc. It may even have a hint of Something Blue on the outside or on the liner itself to tie into the old adage.
Clutches for Guests at a Wedding
When it comes to wedding clutches for guests, avoid carrying one that is white or ivory, looks “bridal”.
Secondly, avoid a clutch bag that doesn’t offer the formality of the occasion, or go with the style of dress that you’re wearing.
Lastly, leave that giant handbag at home! You should see mine: a literal MONSTROSITY of a diaper bag filled to the brim with juice boxes and granola bars, wrappers, diaper wipes, etc. For a wedding, you don’t need to carry much, so keep it nice and light. The clutch is a finishing accessory that, when done well, will complement your guest outfit and finish your look perfectly.
What to Put in Your Evening Bag
Here is exactly what to put in your evening bag or clutch purse so you have the essentials every guest at a wedding needs. You can’t fit a lot inside an evening bag, but that makes it fun to pack because it’s just. the. essentials. :)
Leave that giant monstrosity (or in my case, the toddler/kids diaper bag with wipes, toys, fruit snacks, and wrappers) at home.
• Wallet: You’ll need to fit a wallet inside your bag, or at the very least, your ID card, a credit card, and some cash for tipping the bar.
• Lipstick: Bring along the shade of lipstick you’re wearing for touch-ups post-dinner.
• Breath Mints: A pack of breath mints is always nice to have and fits neatly inside an evening bag.
• Pocket Mirror: If you have the space for it, slide a compact mirror inside your bag to check your teeth after dinner (hello, spinach!) and your lipstick. It is also helpful to pack a mirror inside your guest clutch purse in case mascara is running post-ceremony. You said you wouldn’t cry, but you always do! ;)
• Tissues: If you can, fit a tissue inside the clutch purse just in case. Or if you have a husband like mine, he always brings a handkerchief. What a guy!
That’s it!
Oh, one last thing:
• The Wedding Card: The wedding card for the couple as a gift likely won’t fit inside your clutch. However, it’s good to note here so you don’t forget to bring it. ;)
Now that you know what kind of purse to wear to a wedding, it’s time to shop!
→ TO SHOP: To browse the best wedding guest clutches, scroll back up to the lick and click on a link or photo of the item to shop directly!
Which clutch bag in this list is going to be The One for you to wear? Tell me about it in the comment box below!
xo
Emma
