The Best Winter Wedding Guest Dresses for Cold-Weather Destinations (2024)

FAQs

What do you wear to a winter destination wedding? ›

Winter weddings are likely to take place indoors, so you'll want to choose an outfit that's just warm enough once you take off your coat. A dress with sleeves, a maxi dress, or even a fancy jumpsuit are great ways to dress for the occasion. Take advantage of fabrics that look stylish while keeping you warm.

When it comes to style for a winter wedding, you'll often see dark colors or jewel tones, crushed velvet dresses, and even some long-sleeve gowns.

Popular colors to wear to a winter wedding are deep or darker colors like navy, hunter green, plum, black, deep brown, maroon, etc. For a more formal event consider metallics like silver, gold and copper or a little sparkle.

Opt for dresses or suits made from heavier fabrics such as velvet or wool to provide warmth in cooler temperatures. Consider long sleeves or layers for added insulation. For a wedding in Florida or other warmer coastal locations, you can still embrace the winter theme with lighter fabrics in deeper colors.

Wedding Guest Dresses: Formal/Black Tie

Darker colors and richer fabrics are nice for winter weddings, but there are lots of nice pastels and muted shades available this time of year as well. In the formal outfit above, I selected a beautiful shade of cocoa, but that dress also comes in navy, burgundy, and black.

It may not seem traditional, but pants can actually be an elegant option for a winter wedding. Just opt for a tailored pair that have an elegant look, and pair them with a statement top. For a winter wedding, pants in a dark color, such as black, are an ideal option.

"I have beautiful brides wearing black wedding dresses," said Anastasia Stevenson, a destination wedding planner with Coastal Creative Weddings in Tybee Island, GA. "It is perfectly acceptable and chic to wear black to evening, black tie, and winter weddings."

Just because you've chosen to be a winter bride doesn't mean you have to wear a long-sleeved wedding dress. Some brides prefer a sleeveless look to showcase their best features as they walk down the aisle. Others might have indoor ceremonies with effective heating systems planned.

It gives your outfit the smart factor, adds elegance AND keeps you warm. I really feel the cold and simply cannot endure cold legs and feet for hours, so when it comes to winter weddings I would always try and have my legs covered.

Winter florals

Florals have always been a fail-safe option for weddings; there's something beautifully romantic about nature-inspired prints and, with the right styling, they needn't be the preserve of summer nuptials.

Can you wear purple to a winter wedding? ›

Typically, the perfect colours for a wedding at this time of year are more toned down and darker compared to summer, using tones such as red, green, gold, black, blue, purple and berry. Purple – a Royal colour associated with Advent which makes it a perfect colour for a Winter wedding.

Well, a casual dress code is usually for weddings inside and beach casual is for, obviously, the beach. Women can wear breezy and lightweight sundresses and men can opt for breathable short sleeve button-ups with shorts. No matter what, the dress code will be as laid-back as the wedding.

Accordingly, if you're a wedding guest at a winter wedding, you need to follow a certain dress code. Most men wear a tuxedo or full suit (jacket and dress pants) in darker colors, such as black, navy blue, and brown, whereas ladies don maxi dresses made of velvet or other opulent fabrics.

Start with a sweatshirt or long sleeve tee as your base layer and throw on a zip-up pullover, windbreaker, or quilted jacket. Knit accessories are also a great way to keep warm in fluctuating beach temperatures.

Formal: While slightly less fancy than black-tie, guests will still be expected to wear nice dresses and suits with appropriate accessories. co*cktail (Semi-Formal): This dress code gives guests additional options to choose from. Women can consider knee-length or midi dresses; men can consider alternative suit colors.

It should LOOK like you're wearing stockings. So if your legs are toned, tight and tan, sure go barelegged. Of course, you're still going to want to use a nice tinted moisturizer or leg makeup just to make sure everything is nice and even.

Those strappy, open toe heels may not be the best choice for a winter wedding so explore your options. Pointed, rounded and closed-toe footwear or some stylish boots will be your best bet. Whatever you choose, make sure they're comfortable, walking in heels in the snow can be a real challenge!