Fall wedding season is upon us, and if you’ve got multiple invitations on your calendar, you may be stressing about what to wear to all of them. It’s a magical time of year, but fluctuating temperatures and confusing dress codes can make it hard to get your outfit right.
Don’t fret: With rich jewel tones like emerald and burgundy, luxe textures like velvet and silk, or even a little bit of sparkle if you’re looking to shine, there are plenty of photo-worthy options for every autumn wedding. With inspiration from this fall’s top trends, we put together this collection of outfit options, from formal gowns to velvet pantsuits to pleated jumpsuits. Whether you're attending a vineyard wedding at golden hour or a romantic candlelit affair, here are 24 outfit ideas that will make you the best-dressed guest.
What to Wear to a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner as a Guest
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Dark Florals
Dark florals are a perennial fall favorite. On a co*cktail dress silhouette, they’re just right for a wedding reception.
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Classic Black
Yes, you can wear black to most weddings, and for a fall wedding in particular, you can’t really go wrong with a quintessential little black dress.
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A Formal Groutfit
Gray outfits — or “groutfits” (sorry) — are going to be everywhere this fall, perhaps as a counterpoint to the Barbiecore that dominated summer. It’s a perfect choice for a fall wedding if you want a neutral tone that’s a touch less harsh than black. Try combining it with another fall trend like a turtleneck.
Priyanka Chopra Paired Her Cozy Groutfit With a Pamela Anderson-Inspired Updo
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Velvet Suit
Be the most glam guest with an elegant velvet suit. The luxe material is perfect for fall, and a suit is fresh and unexpected.
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Ruched Floral Midi
A tea-length dress is another great option if you want the smooth, warm texture of velvet in a more classic wedding style.
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All Red
Tomato Girl Summer is becoming Tomato Girl Fall, as head-to-toe red styles are still going strong into the new season. It’s a dramatic look for a wedding.
Break out of the dress habit! Pants are a great wedding option as long as they’re formal enough to be appropriate for the dress code. Sequin pants in a rich color palette should do the trick for a co*cktail attire celebration.
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Velvet Gown
For an autumnal black-tie affair, a gown like this has everything: a seasonal jewel tone, a sumptuous texture, and unique sculptural details in the collar.
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One Shoulder
Try a striking asymmetrical neckline to stand out in a crowd. With this one, you’ll enjoy a little more warmth than a sleeveless gown.
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Sparkly Plunge
A sexy, sparkly co*cktail dress is the way to go when you know the wedding reception is going to be a true party.
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Silk Gown
If the dress code calls for a full-length dress, a silky floral gown will do nicely. Just add some heels and a pair of dangly earrings.
For a wedding with disco vibes, you can’t find a better outfit than a pleated jumpsuit.
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A Sheer Overlay
For a fashion-forward fall wedding where a simple sheath won’t do the trick, feel free to mix it up with unexpected shapes and layering, like this sheer overlay on top of a long-sleeved dress.
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Burgundy Backless
If you’re comfortable showing a little skin, a backless gown in a rich fall color like burgundy is just the bombshell style for you.
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Fringe
Got a wedding where you know the dance floor will be busy? Find a dress with some textured fringe to swing around with you all night long.
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Pumpkin Spice
Don’t fight the seasonal dominance of pumpkin spice — embrace it for the warm, cozy, autumnal vibe. An orangey hue is lovely for a fall wedding.
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Silky Wrap Dress
While we’re thinking about our warm, seasonal drinks, a café au lait-inspired shade is another solid choice. A wrap dress silhouette can work for practically any venue, from a rustic barn wedding to a more formal church setting.
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Strapless and Sequined
This sweet and sparkly little dress would be perfect with a wrap around your shoulders for an autumn wedding. The T-strap Mary Janes are so on-trend at the moment, or you could pair it with a simple pump for a more classic look.
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Brown Leather
Leather is big this fall. In a streamlined and sophisticated shape, it can absolutely work for a wedding guest, particularly at a trendy city wedding reception.
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Purple Floral
Make a statement in a bold gown, be it a rich shade of purple, an oversized floral detail, or both!
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Off the Shoulder
Tops and dresses with off-the-shoulder necklines are trending this season. It’s a sexy but not-too-revealing cut that would work in multiple venues and for varying levels of formality.
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Fall Sunset Vibes
Why pick one fall color when you can choose them all?
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Peplum
Yes, peplums are back this season. Done right, it can be an eye-catching detail for a special occasion.
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Bow
Another trend from the fall runways that’s just begging to go to a wedding? Bows! Try a dress with an oversized one for maximum effect.
"Look into where the ceremony and reception will be taking place because that's the best indicator of determining the level of formality you can plan for." While you might opt for a casual sundress with a denim jacket, or go tieless for a backyard wedding, an evening soirée at an upscale hotel would require a more ...
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.
Colors tend to be moodier: wine, plum and midnight abound. A long-sleeve dress is perfect for outdoorsy venues, especially if the night air is chilly. Stilettos and pointy toes can be tricky on grass, so a block heel or platform is the safest bet.
The weather starts to cool down during the fall, so you should wear darker, more neutral colors. Avoid vivid and light colors such as whites, pastels, and neons. The colors that are most suitable for fall are: Dark colors, such as burgundies, navies, and plums.
When it comes to deciding what to wear to a wedding with no dress code, think about what time of year the wedding will take place. If it's a fall date, chances are a strapless, short dress is not the ticket. Opt for something with more coverage, such as a tea-length dress.
We would recommend opting for a closed toe shoe or a classic court shoe. Fall weddings can be either outdoors or indoors. During the colder fall months, opt for a pair of closed toe shoes. While open or open toe shoes can be cute and classy, they tend to work better in warm-season weddings than fall weddings.
“This is not the time to wear a gala gown or a short mini skirt.” During the day, think natural colors and fresh styles. In the evening, feel free to utilize darker hues and embellishments such as sequins or feathers (so long as your dress doesn't sweep the floor).
In your 70s, all bets are off—you've aged out of arbitrary rules and have license to wear whatever the heck you want. This is the perfect time to experiment with arty styles like tailored sweater coats, wide-leg pants, unusual clutches, and colorful patterns. You've got all the confidence you need to pull this off.
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 Season. 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.
While blue is of course a super popular spring/summer colour, it doesn't mean you can't keep wearing it through autumn, particularly to an occasion that calls for a suit, like a wedding.
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.
If you're looking for an incredibly easy yet polished outfit, let this be your guide: trench coat, white T-shirt, crossbody bag, black straight-leg jeans, and black mule flats. The structured fit of this trench coat makes it a top pick. I will never not love a pair of black mule flats.
Rust. This deep, reddish-orange hue is synonymous with the changing leaves that create a stunning tapestry of colors. Rust is a warm and inviting color that adds a touch of coziness to your fall wardrobe. It pairs beautifully with neutral shades and complements the natural beauty of the season. Olive Green.
The Season. 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.
If you don't like dresses or your legs are not your best feature, pants are totally acceptable, so long as you keep the time of day and venue in mind. I've had a lot of requests lately for what to wear to a wedding, so I've updated this post with ideas about how to wear pants to a wedding with confidence.
Women wedding guests should wear a full-length dress, be it a ballgown, a sheath or an A-line style. High heels are strongly recommended. Feel free to accessorize with opulent jewelry and even elbow-length white silk gloves.
Introduction: My name is Corie Satterfield, I am a fancy, perfect, spotless, quaint, fantastic, funny, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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