Fall weddings are so gorgeous – alive with color and cozy vibes, and nearly guaranteed not to be too warm on the big day. 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.
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.
Don’ts of What To Wear To a Fall Wedding
You probably already know the basics of wedding guest outfit etiquette: Don’t wear white, be mindful of required dress codes, and of course choose something you can dance, eat, and socialize in. But what are the rules for fall weddings specifically?
Do…
- Choose something with medium to full coverage to keep you warm
- Choose dark colors, jewel tones, and rich fabrics
- Add glam with accessories
Don’t…
- Wear super-short skirts
- Choose lightweight fabrics for outdoor weddings
- Forget to bring an extra layer
Quick Tips for Dressing for a Fall Wedding
While spring and summer weddings call for more colorful, statement-making dresses, darker colors and solid fabrics are more appropriate for fall weddings. What makes dressing for a fall wedding extra fun is the opportunity to accessorize! Extra layers help you stay warm and add to your outfit, and statement jewelry, gorgeous shoes, and unique bags won’t feel like too much against a more subdued palette.
Bring a Jacket or Wrap
After the sun goes down, autumn nights can get quite chilly. Keep yourself comfortable through the full event by bringing a cute jacket or a wrap. We like the look of a leather jacket over a formal dress since it adds a touch of edge to a sophisticated look.
Don’t Be Afraid To Accessorize
Just because you’re wearing a deep-toned dress doesn’t mean you can’t show off with your accessories! Bring on the rhinestones, beads, sequins, and standout details–it’s time to have fun with the extras!
Wear Shoes that Can Handle a Little Rain
Even if the wedding you’re attending isn’t outside, you’ll still need to walk to and from the venue. Be sure to choose shoes that can handle the usual autumn showers and won’t leave you with freezing toes!
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. Seasonal wedding fashion is 50% weather preparation and 50% about fulfilling the couple’s vision, which is why we’ve broken inspiration down by wedding “theme” and dress code.
Black-Tie/Formal Fall Wedding
Black-tie and formal weddings mean you can opt for a full-length evening gown or a fancy co*cktail dress. This is especially helpful if you live in an area with a temperate climate. 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. Think satin, sequins, jacquard, floral burnout, lace, and velvet dresses–paired with heels and some 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 and cozy vibes of chillier weather. 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. Helpful hint: When deciding what to wear to a casual fall wedding, think of how you’d dress up for your significant other’s family holiday or a relative’s milestone birthday party: respectable, a little dressed up, but not overly fancy.
Must-Have Fall Wedding Accessories
Accessories can make or break your fall wedding outfit, especially for more formal events. Since fall wedding dresses should typically be deeper colors with fewer patterns, your accessories are where you can really show your personality.
Jackets, Shawls, & Sweaters
Dual purpose, bringing a jacket, shawl, or cardigan can complete your outfit and keep you warm on a chilly fall evening.
Glamorous Shoes
Fall shoes are so cute, and a fall wedding is a perfect excuse to pull out your most glamorous pair of booties, platforms, or bold-colored heels perfect for a Halloween wedding.
Unique Handbags
A simple clutch or handbag gives you a place to keep your essentials and can be an essential part of your fall wedding look.
Statement Earrings
We love a pair of statement earrings for a fall wedding look, especially if you are wearing a dress with a high neckline or an off-the-shoulder style. Feel free to go as big, long, or glitzy as you want– there are no rules against being glam!
We want to see your fall wedding guest dresses! Show us onInstagramorTikTok @lulus using #lovelulus–and shop more styles from co*cktail to formal in our Wedding Guest Shop!
This post was originally published in 2019 and has been updated with new content.
