'This spring wedding guest dress got me more compliments than anything I've ever worn.'

It's a tale as old as time: a wedding invitation, a looming event, and absolutely nothing to wear.

It was Monday morning, and I had to attend a wedding on Saturday. Well, not to toot my own horn, but I wasn't just attending — I was also the MC and the celebrant. If there was ever an occasion to have pre-planned an absolutely killer outfit, it was this wedding. 

Except, of course, I hadn't planned anything. Between work, parenting, and preparing for my role in the wedding, I had nothing going on in the wardrobe department. Less than a week out, I was in danger of missing the online shopping delivery window altogether, and staring down the barrel of attending the wedding in my pajamas if I couldn't get my sh*t together. 

Which is how I found myself at 11am on a Monday, wandering Pitt St Mall and, if we're being honest, panicking.

Watch: How to find an affordable tailor (wedding edition). Post continues after video.

After an aborted attempt at David Jones, totally overwhelmed at the prospect of choosing between 100,000 dresses, I walked into Sheike, bringing an energy I can only describe as "cornered rabbit about to be eaten by a fox." 

"Can I help you?" The delightful woman at the counter asked. 

"I need a REALLY good dress!" I yelled. 

"Okay," she replied, presumably bemused as to why I was treating shopping like a national emergency. "I think we can help with that."

I have to give a shoutout here to the staff at Sheike MidCity, who were some of the most helpful, friendly women I have ever encountered (nobody paid me to say that, I just had a really good time there). 

I am often guilty of ordering clothes online and skipping interactions with real people altogether, but this experience reminded me why that isn't always a better option. The staff were so engaged with my shopping journey that each time I exited the change room, I felt like a main character in a 90s romcom makeover scene. 

When I suggested, in a fit of insanity, that I might wear a shiny beaded pink mini-dress — which I'll probably go back for later, mind you — I was gently course-corrected.

"You said this is for a wedding? That's a great dress for a party. Do you have any parties coming up?" (Subtext: "Has this absolute idiot never attended a wedding before in her life?"). "Now, can I show you this one we've just got in? I think you'll really like the vibe." 

And lo and behold, with full credit to her, I loved this dress as soon as I laid eyes on it. 

This blue dress is so perfect for a spring wedding. Image: Supplied.

As aforementioned, I was momentarily tempted to wear a mini dress to this wedding, so I love the vibe of a shorter skirt with the lace overlay. 

The seashell lace is such a gorgeous touch, but most of all, I am obsessed with the colour. Armed with advice on accessories (gold, not silver, nothing too distracting, a white shoe is fine as long as it isn't too chunky), I marched out of the store feeling significantly better about my life choices. 

Ella lace maxi dress. Image: Sheike.

Cut to the wedding day, the bride and I were getting dressed together. She was a very low-key bride, and I am a very high-key person, so I was about as excited about my blue dress as she was about her wedding dress. 

Now, it's obviously hard to compete with a bride, but when I say I have never received so many compliments on an outfit, I am not exaggerating. It was like being a minor celebrity.

Zoe wearing the Sheike Ella lace maxi dress. Image: Supplied.

I can't recommend this dress enough to anyone with a wedding approaching. 

At $270, it's on the pricier end, but the fabric feels luxe and built to last. The sizing goes up to an 18, although I recommend trying it on in-store if you can, because I ended up sizing down to an 8 (I'm normally a 10–12).

Zoe wearing the Sheike Ella lace maxi dress. Image: Supplied.

If spaghetti straps aren't your style, I love the below alternatives with sleeves from Montique and Runway Goddess.

For a more formal event, this option from Lucy In The Sky would be my pick — and if you want to lean into a full mini-dress situation, this one from ShowPo is so much fun.

My only regret is having another wedding in two weeks and coming to terms with the fact that it is too soon for a re-wear — but you best believe you can catch me pulling this one back out of the closet for a fancy lunch or work Christmas party ASAP.

Shop our best wedding guest dresses edit.

Sheike Ella Lace Maxi Dress, $269.99.

Ella lace maxi dress. Image: Sheike.

Showpo Cassia Mini Dress, $99.95.

Cassia mini dress. Image: Showpo.

Montique Reece Sky Blue Embroidered Dress, $399.95.

Reece sky blue embroidered dress. Image: Montique.

RUNWAYgoddess Flora Boho Midi Dress, $99.99.

Flora boho midi dress. Image: RUNWAYgoddess.

Lucy In The Sky Lace Off-Shoulder Maxi Dress, $69.90.

Lace off shoulder maxi dress. Image: Lucy in the Sky.

JJ's House Lace Floral Prom Dresses With Sequins, $309.

A-line Scoop Floor-Length Lace Floral Prom Dresses With Sequins. Image: JJ's House.

Witchery Ruffle Maxi Dress, $279.

Ruffle maxi dress. Image: Witchery.

Self-Portrait Blue Fine Midi Dress, £400 (approx. AUD $822).

Blue fine midi dress. Image: Self-portrait.

& Other Stories Smock Maxi Dress, $169.

Smock maxi dress. Image: The Iconic.

M.N.G Sky Embroidered Strapless Dress, $219.95.

Sky embroidered strapless dress. Image: The Iconic.

Asos Mimi Lace Cut Out Midaxi Dress, $321.

Never fully dressed mimi lace cut-out satin midaxi dress. Image: Asos.

ROTATE Floral Embroidered Mesh Maxi Dress, $680.

Floral embroidered mesh maxi dress. Image: Mytheresa.

Feature image: Supplied.