Let’s talk fall wedding guest dresses! Fall is one of our favorite seasons — not just for the stunning autumnal weddings (hello, warm color palettes!), but also for the fashion!
As much as we love the carefree vibes of summertime, no one can resist the feeling of slipping into something knit, velvet, or floor-skimming. And with so many stunning fall wedding guest dresses to choose from, we’re counting down the days to colder temperatures and pumpkin-hued nuptials!
Whether you’re looking for fall wedding guest dresses to wear to an outdoor September wedding, a cozy October ceremony, or even a chilly November event, we’re rounding up the styles that we’re currently falling for.
Oh, and a major bonus? You can wear all of these dresses over and over again (not just to a wedding!). Keep scrolling for our complete fall wedding fashion guide!
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Guest Attire FAQs – Complete Guide To What To Wear To A Fall Wedding
We get it: with new fashion trends, unpredictable weather, and seemingly endless options, it can be a struggle to decide what to wear to a fall wedding. But that’s where we come in! Below, we’re sharing all the best fall wedding guest dresses for each month, from September to November — plus some trendy styling tips to help you win the best dressed guest award. Let’s get into it!
Key Factors To Consider When Deciding What To Wear To A Fall Wedding
Choosing the best attire to wear to a fall wedding goes beyond finding a cute fall wedding guest dress. (Although this is an important part!). To help you pick a style that’s comfortable, photo-worthy, and dress code appropriate, here are a few factors to consider first!
- The Venue: If the wedding is being held outdoors, you’ll want to wear fall wedding guest dresses that can withstand the elements. Think: long sleeves, breathable fabrics, and comfy heels. For an indoor wedding, you have more options, so choose something that reflects the vibe — such as an evening gown for a hotel wedding or a cute midi for a barnyard ceremony.
- The Month: Fall weather can quickly change from hot and sunny in September to cold and stormy in November, so it’s important to wear a fall wedding guest dress that reflects the time of year. You can also use the month as inspiration for your wedding guest attire — like a chic orange dress for October or darker jewel tones for November.
- The Climate: To help you stay comfy from the first kiss to the last dance, think about the climate and changing temperature of the wedding. A September wedding in southern California will have very different weather than an October ceremony in the Colorado mountains — and your fall wedding guest dress should follow suit!
- The Time of Day: Speaking of changing temperatures, fall weather is notoriously unpredictable, with sweltering hot afternoons and freezing cold evenings. Pay attention to the timing of the ceremony to choose a gown that will keep you looking AND feeling your best. While a chic midi dress may be fine for a mid-day wedding, you may need more layers for an evening event!
- The Dress Code: This is the most important factor to consider when choosing what to wear to a wedding — and fall celebrations are no exception! Choose fall wedding guest attire that matches the dress code on the invitation, such as a dark floor-length gown for a black tie optional event or a flowy wrap dress for a semi-formal wedding. If the invitation doesn’t state the dress code, you can also use the formality of the venue as a guide!
- The Season: Last but not least, don’t be afraid to channel autumnal vibes with your fall wedding guest attire. ‘Tis the season for earthy colors, luxe fabrics (like velvet), and allll the cute boots. After all, what better time to wear your favorite fall fashion items than a wedding?!
Our Favorite Layering Attire – What To Wear Over Fall Wedding Guest Dresses
As we mentioned above, fall weddings can feature a range of different temperatures — and that means wearing strategic layers to stay cute and comfy for the entire ceremony. Below, we’re sharing the best layering attire to wear over your fall wedding guest dress, depending on the month, climate, and venue of the celebration. Scroll on for our top tips (and fave items)!
- A lightweight shawl: Headed to a warm September wedding or daytime October ceremony, and need something lightweight to wear over your fall wedding guest dress? A flowy shawl is your perfect plus one. It gives you just the right amount of coverage for when the breeze picks up — plus, it’ll add an elegant touch to any gown. Win-win!
- A chic blazer: When you need a little more coverage but still want to look polished and classy, a stylish blazer is a no brainer. Choose a neutral color like black or beige, and opt for a trendy oversized fit or cute cropped style that won’t overshadow your dress.
- A cozy wrap: If you’re looking for cute outwear to wear for a chilly October or November fall wedding, a faux fur wrap is the perfect addition to your wedding guest dress. Not only is it super warm and toasty, but it’ll also give your ensemble a glamorous Old Hollywood vibe. Cocktail hour just became your personal red carpet!
- A classy jacket: For those super crisp fall weddings (such as a mountaintop ceremony or an evening affair in November), a simple wedding guest dress won’t cut it. Add some warmth with a classy jacket, like a timeless wool coat or a trendy leather trench.
GWS Pro Tip! The type of outerwear you choose will also depend on how formal the wedding is and whether it’s indoors or outdoors. For inside celebrations, you’ll probably check your jacket, so it doesn’t have to perfectly match your ‘fit. But for outside bashes, you may want to look for something chic that you’ll be happy to wear all night long (like a trendy blazer!).
Our Go-To Fall Guest Dress Attire Colors To Wear To a Fall Wedding
While no colors are technically off-limits for your fall wedding guest attire, there are a few dreamy autumnal hues that we love to wear to a fall wedding. When in doubt, use the fall landscape as your inspo — from foliage-inspired hues like orange and burgundy to earthy tones like green and brown. They’re classics for a reason!
If you want to add a dose of glamour to your attire, you also can’t go wrong with fall wedding guest dresses in metallic colors, such as copper and bronze, and jewel tones, like emerald and sapphire. Timeless and elegant, these colors are perfect for a formal dress code or evening event.
Another easy hack? Think about the month when choosing what colors to wear to a fall wedding. We love light and earthy colors for a September fall wedding, warm and rich hues for October, and darker wedding guest dresses for November. Black is also a fool-proof choice for any month — after all, there’s nothing more timeless than an LBD!
Where to Buy Fall Wedding Guest Dresses
Whether you’re a boho babe or a minimalist at heart, here are the best places to buy fall wedding guest dresses!
- Anthropologie: For the best fall wedding guest dresses with a modern boho edge, look no further than Anthropologie. They’ve mastered the art of autumnal florals, flowy skirts, and dramatic sleeves. Plus, they also carry dresses from BHLDN (Anthro’s wedding line), which is known for wedding-ready fashion!
- Lulus: Our affordable favorite, Lulus is your one-stop shop for gorgeous fall gowns under $100. They have endless fashion-forward options to choose from, with too many autumnal colors, prints, and silhouettes to count. We’re also big fans of the accessories at Lulus, great for weddings and beyond!
Now let’s get into our favorite finds for fall!
Fall Wedding Guest Dresses With Sleeves
Embrace the autumnal vibes with these cozy fall wedding guest dresses with sleeves! As the days get shorter and the temperatures get lower, you need a gown that can withstand the elements — and look good doing so. And nothing does the job better than a statement sleeve!
With loose, flowy, and versatile silhouettes, these dresses will give you the coverage you need for colder weather, without making you overheat when the sun peeks out.
So whether you’re attending an outdoor ceremony in September or a frosty soirée in November, these are the best wedding guest dresses to wear to your next fall wedding. Keep scrolling for our faves!
4: “Something Blue” Fall Wedding Guest Dress
Who said you had to stick to an autumnal color palette when choosing fall wedding guest attire? This blue velvet gown will help you stand out from a crowd of muted earth tones, dark prints, and metallic hues. And with a sultry silhouette and a plunging neckline, it’s a statement dress in more ways than one.
Plus, we love anything that channels “something blue” for a wedding, even if you’re not one of the soonlyweds. SO cute for a beach bash or destination celebration!
6: LBD Fall Wedding Guest Dress With Sleeves
A great LBD is the only plus one you’ll ever need! Versatile and classic, little black dresses have your back for any and every occasion, and this fall wedding guest dress is no exception.
We especially love all the small details that make this gown stand out, from the chic twisted neckline to those statement oversized sleeves.
Wear it with trendy heels for a formal September wedding or chic boots for a casual October ceremony — with such a timeless look, it’ll carry you through the entire fall wedding season (and beyond!).
Looking for the perfect accessory for your fall wedding guest attire? Don’t miss our list of the best fall nail designs — aka, the most important finishing touch to your look!
8: Elegant Green Fall Wedding Guest Dress With Sleeves
We were obsessed with bright greens for the warmer months (Brat Summer, anyone?), but now that cozy season is starting we’re all about dark and earthy tones. Enter: this olive green fall wedding guest dress!
With a one-shoulder silhouette and chic mock neckline, this gown will keep you cool during sunny fall afternoons and warm when the sun goes down. Plus, that olive green hue is one of our favorite colors to wear to a fall wedding — best paired with a dirty martini!
Fall Formal Wedding Guest Dresses
This year, one of the biggest themes for weddings is all-out glamour, and we couldn’t be more on board. After all, when else do you get to wear a gorgeous evening gown in public?!
To help you show up in style, we’ve rounded up the best fall wedding guest dresses to wear to a formal or black tie optional wedding. Think: floor-sweeping hemlines, luxe fabrics (like velvet and satin), and the trendiest fall silhouettes. Because a formal dress code shouldn’t stop you from showing off your personal style!
Get all dressed up this season with fall-ready metallics, unexpected silhouettes, and maybe even an on-trend mini or two. Keep scrolling for our faves!
13: Leg-Baring Fall Formal Wedding Guest Dress
Formal doesn’t ALWAYS have to mean floor-skimming! If you’re not ready to retire your warm weather look, this one’s for you.
The key to rocking a mini fall formal wedding guest dress is to balance the leg-baring skirt with a modest neckline. It also never hurts to add an element of drama to keep it from looking too casual!
This gown checks off all the boxes with a high neck, cape-style sleeves, and a playful ruffle hem. It’s dressy, flirty, and fun — you could say we’re obsessed!
14: Shimmery Navy Formal Fall Jumpsuit
Dazzle the dance floor with this metallic fall wedding guest attire! We’re happy to announce that sparkles are IN for fall, and this shimmery ‘fit understood the assignment. With a glittery navy fabric, it’ll help you stand out under the disco ball.
You also can’t go wrong with wearing a jumpsuit to a fall wedding — because extra warmth and comfort is never a bad idea! Style this one-and-done wonder with some platform heels and a slicked-back bun for the perfect dance-ready ensemble.
15: Feminine Floral Fall Formal Wedding Guest Dress
Want to impress that person on the guest list you’ve been waiting to see? Then look no further than this fall formal wedding guest dress!
Floral burnout velvet adds lush texture to this feminine dress, which accentuates your curves in ALL the right places. It’ll guarantee that all eyes are on you as you sashay from cocktail hour to the dance floor. And with a foliage-inspired print, it’s the perfect gown to wear to an outdoor fall wedding!
17: Modern Midi Fall Formal Wedding Guest Dress
Bring your fashion A-game with this fall formal wedding guest dress! Modern and sleek, this midi will never go out of style. We LOVE the twisted halter neckline, especially paired with the sultry open back. It has us manifesting a formal dress code just so we can show it off!
We’re also awarding bonus points for the flowy silhouette, which will be your saving grace after your second piece of cake. Très chic AND très comfy!
18: Secret Garden Fall Formal Dress
Feminine, bold, and a little whimsical — if we’re describing your personal style right now, then you can stop scrolling now: this is THE best fall formal wedding guest dress for you!
With an ethereal flower print and a chic corset bodice, this strapless gown looks straight out of a fairytale. And don’t even get us started on the flowy organza fabric and tiered ruffle skirt! Because storybook love stories deserve storybook wedding guest dresses.
Complete your Cinderella moment with a pair of glimmering heels, like these rhinestone pumps. Talk about a happily ever after!
Casual Fall Wedding Guest Dresses
While formal weddings are definitely having their moment, casual soirées aren’t going anywhere for 2024. With laid-back vibes and personalized celebrations, casual fall weddings are always a good time. And they’re just as fun to dress for as they are to celebrate!
When it comes to casual fall weddings, there are endless options for what to wear. This is your chance to get cozy with warm knits, lean into the season with autumnal colors, or show some leg with shorter hemlines. Which brings us to our favorite casual fall dresses!
GWS Tip! If you’re not sure how casual to go for an upcoming wedding, it helps to think about the venue and time of year. Outdoor or backyard weddings in September are typically more laid back, perfect for easygoing fall wedding guest dresses. On the other hand, elegant hotel or ballroom weddings in November call for dressier fall wedding guest dresses. Either way, we always suggest keeping your look polished and chic — this is a wedding, after all!
23: Pumpkin Orange Casual Fall Wedding Guest Dress
Pumpkin orange and fall — name a more iconic duo! This casual fall wedding guest dress gives the classic October combo a modern update with a trendy puff-sleeve silhouette and cute cut-out details. If you reach for all things pumpkin spice starting September 1st, then this is the wedding guest dress for you.
P.S. Pumpkin orange feel a little too on the nose? This cute dress also comes in a few other trendy fall colors, including olive green!
Outdoor Fall Wedding Guest Dresses
With the changing leaves, vibrant sunsets, and last bit of warm sunshine, fall is a stunning season for outdoor weddings. But with such unpredictable weather, you’ll have to dress strategically to stay comfortable in the fall months. Enter: outdoor fall wedding guest dresses.
The best outdoor fall wedding guest dresses can withstand unexpected weather changes, from hot September days to chilly October nights. It’s a tricky balance — but our favorite frocks have got it mastered.
Wear these fall wedding guest dresses with some cute boots or flats and you’ll be ready to toast the happy couple under the stars!
28: Espresso Brown Outdoor Fall Midi Dress
Sing it with us now: “that’s that me espresso.” We’re officially calling espresso brown THE best color to wear this fall, and this wedding guest dress is proof. It’s cozy, it’s elegant, and it’s guaranteed to get everyone buzzing during cocktail hour. One espresso martini, please!
Plus, you can easily dress this fall wedding guest attire up or down depending on the venue and month — wear it with embellished heels for a September rooftop ceremony or suede boots for a November ranch celebration. Brb, adding to cart as we speak!
30: Flirty Ruffle Outdoor Fall Dress
All your other dresses will be jealous once they see this fluttery number enter your wardrobe! Flirty and floaty, it’ll easily take you from a daytime ceremony to the dance floor. Plus, the lightweight fabric will also keep you nice and cool once you start working up a sweat with the Cupid Shuffle.
Tone this fall wedding guest dress down with casual sandals for a September beach wedding or wear it with a pair of stylish heels for an elegant October event. And yes, it also comes in tons of different seasonal hues, perfect for every occasion!
32: Stunning Sequin Outdoor Fall Wedding Guest Dress
Dance the night away in this dazzling maxi, which is embellished with all-over glittering sequins. Because it’s officially time to celebrate!!
Oh-so shimmery, this gown hits the mark for a formal dress code, without feeling fussy. We’re digging the combo of the effortless silhouette and the black sparkles. Few fall wedding guest dresses look THIS dreamy.
Style this maxi dress with all black accessories for a monochrome ‘fit that will have you looking just as ready for the runway as you do for the reception.
33: Free-Spirited Outdoor Fall Dress
The unexpected lilac purple color of this outdoor fall wedding guest dress is sparking MAJOR joy right now! When everyone else reaches for darker shades, stand out with this bright feminine frock. We’re absolutely smitten with the delicate florals, the flirty neckline, and the long flowy skirt.
This dress is giving us major beach wedding vibes — but you can also pair it with some fun western boots for an outdoor ranch or countryside affair. Plus, it comes in tons of colors and patterns, so you’re bound to find one that matches your unique style.
Long Fall Wedding Guest Dresses
By now, you’ve scrolled through quite a few long floor-sweeping fall wedding guest dresses. That’s because, like satin fabrics and orange hues, they just scream fall!
Whether you’re getting ready for an outdoor September wedding, a formal October ceremony, or a chilly November event, long wedding guest dresses are the perfect attire to wear to a fall celebration.
So in addition to all the dreamy long fall wedding guest dresses we’ve highlighted in this list, here are a few more that have caught our eye. They’ll keep your legs nice and warm for the entire celebration, without being too long to cover your show-stopping shoes. Win-win!
34: Pretty Pleated Long Wedding Guest Dress
Disclaimer: this dress may cause you to swoon! As far as long fall wedding guest dresses go, this shimmery attire is the best of the best. The long pleated skirt and silky bronze fabric give this dress its autumnal edge, while the flattering halter neckline makes it stand out.
Just picture how chic you’ll look during a quick golden hour photoshoot. Your IG feed won’t know what hit it!
37: Long Fall Brown Slip Dress
Last, but certainly not least, this classy brown dress! With a halter neckline and sultry cut-out, this gown goes above and beyond your basic slip dress silhouette. Have some fun styling it with different jackets, shawls, heels, boots, and trendy jewelry, depending on the venue!
This fall wedding guest dress also comes in 20 other gorgeous colors (we love this copper hue for October and this olive green for September), so feel free to stock up. We have a feeling they’re going to be a staple in your wedding wardrobe!
Attending a Wedding? We’ve Got You Covered.
Is there anything more exciting than attending a wedding? (Except being the one getting married, of course.) There’s bubbly, old friends, great tunes, and the joy of seeing your favorite couple tie the knot!
But to make the most out of the good times, there are a few things you need to consider after you’ve hung the invitation up on your fridge. Before choosing one of these stunning wedding guest dresses to wear, it’s important to have a look at the wedding’s dress code. Some are trickier than others, which is why we created our complete guide to semi formal wedding attire!
If the dress code is more on the formal side, you’ll also want to check out our list of the best cocktail dresses for weddings in every style, as well as our black tie optional attire guide. Now’s your chance to dress to impress!
Once you have your statement ‘fit ready to go, the last step on your checklist is choosing a wedding gift. Give the couple something they’ll truly love with one of these killer wedding gifts that never fail!
Do you have any other questions before the big day? Let us know in the comments below!