9 autumn wedding guest dresses you'll want to wear on repeat (2024)

FAQs

What should a female guest wear to a fall wedding? ›

A chic jumpsuit with flats feels dressed up and ready for hours on the dance floor. Adding a few shiny flourishes like rhinestone earrings or a sleek blazer makes it evening appropriate. For a daytime affair, a wrap dress always looks put together and lovely with some bold jewelry.

You can also take color inspiration from the changing leaves and go with an autumn orange, mustard yellow, or deep maroon. Want a more muted look? Opt for a charcoal or caramel gown, or even consider a sophisticated black dress (that's right, you can wear black to a wedding). The options are truly limitless!

Not only will a long-sleeved midi or maxi dress keep you warm and chic on the big day, but they can also be dressed down with boots throughout the rest of the season.

And don't be afraid to go sleeveless (we like a ribbed-knit dress from Staud); it will pair well with an elegant shawl or capelet. To see all the glorious fall wedding guest dresses on our radar, keep scrolling.

A dress with a waist-cinching feature is best for women over 60 because women tend to gain weight on the upper body and lose the natural waist as they get older. A waist-cinching dress gives the eye the illusion that there is a waist.

Jewel tones, like emerald green, cranberry red, amethyst and navy blue, are often used interchangeably for late fall and early winter wedding color palettes. For color schemes that include airier, lighter tones, we'd suggest adding a darker accent hue, like black or smokey gray, to bring dimension and contrast.

You can also wear boots or open-toe heeled shoes to a fall wedding if that's more your style. But again, Lee urges to "think about where you'll be walking." "Open versus closed-toe heels are simply a style choice and matter of personal preference," says Walsh, but they're generally better suited to indoor events.

The color black isn't limited to a certain time of the year, but it usually makes more sense to sport the shade at a fall or winter wedding since it matches the dark, moody weather.

I love an elegant maxi dress in a subtle print (like a small floral or polka dot) and you can absolutely look at a darker color palette than you'd normally go for in the Summer (navy is forever an easy color to accessorize).

Rich, darker colors like deep emerald green, black, navy, and burgundy are all appropriate options, but hues like rose, blush, and lavender can make for stunning fall wedding guest options, too–as long as your dress feels, well, dressy.

Can you wear chiffon to fall wedding? ›

Women may prefer floral prints, softer tones, or lighter fabrics like chiffon or silk. Daytime weddings are typically less formal, meaning guests can choose semi-formal or co*cktail attire for more casual looks.

Fall wedding guest attire is most notably associated with jewel tones and rich fabrics like silk and wool, and this won't change any time soon.

Bold orange and deep red

This color palette works together flawlessly, and these shades really fit with any pumpkin/fall leaves decor you might wanna incorporate. Also, these are some great color options for bridesmaids' gowns and groomsmens' accessories. Hey, if you're going for fall wedding vibes, why not go all in?

Velvet was practically made for fall. It's the ideal fabric choice for the season, and it's no mystery why as it's oh-so-cozy. If you're headed to an outdoor event, especially taking place in the fall or winter seasons, you'll certainly appreciate the warmth that a velvet dress brings.

Consider The Season

If the wedding is outdoors, it simply may be too hot to wear black. Skip a black dress for a cooler color that will reflect the sun. In fall or winter, darker colors like black are more appropriate.

Outdoor venues: Casual chic or co*cktail attire may be suitable for outdoor fall weather. Consider the possibility of temperature changes so you're prepared. If the wedding is at a garden or vineyard, opt for floral dresses or earthy tones to match the location.

Women wedding guests should wear full-length dresses, be it a ballgown, a sheath or an A-line dress. High heels are strongly recommended. Feel free to accessorize with opulent jewelry and even elbow-length white silk gloves.