What to Wear to a Fall Wedding

BY SONJA HENRIKSSEN

Image via Brooke W

As a guest at a fall wedding, you want to dress both for the occasion and the season, which means finding the right combination of coverage and style.

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Image via Sierra S.

Since many people get married in spring or summer, it can be tricky to figure out what to wear to a fall wedding. This guide shares tips, tricks, dos and don’ts, and inspiration for the perfect fall wedding fit.

Image via Sydney W

Don’ts of What To Wear To a Fall Wedding

Don’t… -Wear super-short skirts -Choose lightweight fabrics for outdoor weddings -Forget to bring an extra layer

Do… -Choose something with medium to full coverage to keep you warm -Choose dark colors, jewel tones, and rich fabrics -Add glam with accessories

Image via Brooke W

Fall Wedding Guest Dress Inspiration

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing your dress is what kind of wedding you are going to. We’ve broken inspiration down by wedding “theme” and dress code.

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Black-Tie/Formal Fall Wedding

A full-length evening gown or a fancy cocktail dress in rich, darker jewel tones, or elegant hues like rose or blush make for stunning fall wedding guest option–as long as your dress feels, well, dressy.  Think satin, sequins, jacquard, floral burnout, lace, and velvet dresses–paired with heels and sparkly jewelry, of course.

Black-Tie Optional Fall Wedding

Black-tie optional is exactly what it sounds like: a formal event where going full black-tie is optional!  If black-tie attire isn’t in your comfort zone, feel free to wear something formal that features a beautiful color, or a more whimsical silhouette.

Semi-Formal Fall Wedding

Semi-formal is usually the dress code you should adhere to if the wedding invite doesn’t include any details about the theme.  We love a simple flowy wrap dress, sleeves to keep you warm in fall weather, and shimmery jacquard to make the look feel extra celebratory.

Boho Fall Wedding

Autumn is arguably one of the best seasons for a boho wedding since you can take advantage of the incredible changing colors. Whether the wedding is more boho chic or full-on cottagecore, you can’t go wrong with a gorgeous floral dress, jewel tones, and maxi dresses.

Outdoor Fall Wedding

For outdoor fall weddings, long sleeves are a must! Even if you’re showing a little leg, it’s important to keep the top of your body warm so you have the energy to party all night long!  Sweater dresses are a cozy and chic option, but we also love a layered look.

Backyard/Casual Fall Wedding

Casual often means a low-key venue like a backyard, rustic barn, or even a restaurant.  This dress code gives you a decent amount of wiggle room, but unless super-casual options like jeans are specified as acceptable, a pretty, laid-back dress or jumpsuit is a wedding-appropriate choice for guests. 

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