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Updated Mar 06, 2025Wondering What to Wear to a Fall Wedding? We’ve Got the Answer.
This expert advice is better than pumpkin spice.
Photos, left to right: Rent The Runway, Reformation, Indochino
Temperatures are dropping and inboxes are filling up with invites. . . That can only mean one thing: Fall (a.k.a. wedding season) is near. Lucky for you, you've come to the right place if you're thinking about what to wear to a fall wedding.
The changing of seasons offers the perfect chance for you to mix up your style, but because the weather can be unpredictable, determining what to wear as a guest isn't always easy. To help you on your quest for the perfect look, we've tapped industry experts for their advice on the best colors, prints and styles for fall. We've also handpicked eight shoppable looks to make choosing an outfit an [autumn] breeze. Read on for our helpful tips plus plenty of outfit inspo.
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In this article…
- What to Wear to a Fall Wedding in 2024
- Fall Wedding Guest Outfit Ideas
- Where to Buy Fall Wedding Guest Attire
What to Wear to a Fall Wedding in 2024
If you're wondering exactly what to wear to a fall wedding, let the experts help you decide. "Once the fall season hits, we say goodbye to summer brights and start the transition into warm but cheerful color tones," says Blaire Walsh, Style Director of Rent the Runway. "This season gives guests the chance to play with assorted necklines, unique sleeve cuts and heavier fabrics."
Before you choose your autumn wedding attire, look at the invitation to get an idea of the wedding dress code. This is one of the most important factors to take into consideration when choosing your look. You'll dress differently for an outdoor wedding in a barn than you would at a hotel rooftop. In addition to the requested wedding dress code listed on the couple's invitation, clues like the venue and the time of the event can offer additional fashion insight.
"Location is a huge factor in deciding what to wear," explains SuitShop co-founder Jeanne Foley. "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 formal look, like a full-length gown or a tux.
Fall wedding guest attire is most notably associated with jewel tones and rich fabrics like silk and wool, and this won't change any time soon. "This season, expect to see plenty of moody floral prints and deep jewel tones like fuchsia, emerald, mustard, burgundy and plum," says Kristen Schnars, Director of Merchandising for Lulus. "Saturated pop colors like magenta, hot pink and shades of red are trending this year too."
When shopping for stylish fall wedding guest dresses, Schnars recommends looking for designs that feature silk, floral burnouts and jacquard. Puff sleeves, one-shoulder necklines, asymmetrical ruffled hems and tiered skirts will dominate this year, as well as trending internet aesthetics, like cottagecore, regencycore and barbiecore. But if you're looking for a reliable silhouette you can rewear for multiple events, Schnars urges that you can never go wrong with a classic wrap dress.
Fall Wedding Guest Outfit Ideas
Looking for inspiration? You've come to the right place. Get ready to *fall* in love with one of these handpicked seasonal looks, then easily shop your favorite styles with the click of a button.
What to Wear to a September Wedding
By September, you might be ready to fully embrace fall fashion, but that won't stop the summer heat from sticking around. Our advice? Opt for lightweight styles and silhouettes, in warmer tones like mustard yellow, burgundy or olive green. For dresses, consider a breathable midi or mini length option. And in case you were wondering, yes, floral prints are still perfectly acceptable in September. As for suiting, steer clear of heavy fabrics like wool and velvet (those will come in handy later in the season). If you choose to wear a classic navy blue or black suit, you can always give it a seasonal touch through accessories like a paisley-printed pocket square.
Photo: Reformation
Photo: Mejuri
Photo: Dolce Vita
Photo: Banana Republic
Photo: Todd Snyder
Photo: Banana Republic Factory
What to Wear to an October Wedding
Unless you're attending a Halloween wedding this October, it's probably best you leave your costume at home. Instead, opt for a stylish burnt orange look. Not only will it get you in the spooky spirit this fall, but it will also look really good. For both dresses and separates, we recommend sticking to long sleeves or layers. October evenings can get chilly, so you'll want to come prepared. When it comes to accessories, you can't go wrong with suede. Whether we're talking boots, belts or bags, the cozy material is sure to add the perfect autumn touch to your ensemble.
Photo: Rent the Runway
Photo: Aerosoles
Photo: Veronica Beard
Photo: Indochino
Photo: Nordstrom
Photo: ETON
What to Wear to a November Wedding
'Tis the season. . . to get dressed up. With the holidays on the horizon, you might be eager to break out your most festive looks. Luckily, jewel toned dresses, velvet suits and crystal accessories are all excellent options to wear to a wedding in November. Better yet, you can repurpose your look for holiday parties all season long. When dressing for November nuptials, the most important thing to keep in mind is the weather. If you're headed to an outdoor event, you'll definitely want to layer up. Likewise, you might decide to wear a dress or suit made from heavier fabric. Even if the event you're attending is indoors, it doesn't hurt to pack a cozy shawl or light jacket just in case.
Photo: Nordstrom
Photo: Untamed Petals
Photo: Dolce Vita
Photo: Indochino
Photo: Bonobos
Photo: Tie Bar
What to Wear to an Outdoor Fall Wedding
Aside from the foliage, you can expect to encounter some unpredictable weather if you're attending an outdoor wedding this fall. Our advice? No matter the forecast, come prepared with a shawl, wrap or overcoat. If you're planning on wearing a dress, be sure to choose one that can easily be layered (in other words, nothing overly poofy). For suiting, consider wearing a vest underneath your coat or blazer for an added layer of warmth (that can easily be removed if needed). Most importantly, be sure to check the weather forecast beforehand and pack an umbrella if needed.
Photo: Abercrombie & Fitch
Photo: Garnet Hill
Photo: Sam Edelman
Photo: Nordstrom
Photo: Paul James
Photo: Indochino
Where to Buy Fall Wedding Guest Attire
Whether you're looking to save some cash or want to splurge on your next fit, there are plenty of places to buy standout options for wedding season. Of course, if your calendar is full of events that range in dress code, you can always go the rental route. Check out some of our favorite places to shop fall wedding guest attire:
Anthropologie
Anthropologie's wedding shop has the cutest selection of fall wedding guest dresses for every dress code, from elegant black-tie gowns to laid-back casual frocks. Most importantly, they carry occasion dresses in a range of size options, including standard, petite and plus.
ELOQUII
ELOQUII is our go-to retailer for plus-size fall wedding guest attire, thanks to their inclusive size range (14 to 28). Look through their curated wedding guest edit or scroll through their expansive collection of plus-size dresses for your next event.
ASOS
Take it from us: ASOS has it all when it comes to fall wedding guest attire. Not only do they offer on-trend and budget-friendly options for both men and women, but they also make it super convenient to filter for what you're looking for, whether it be size, silhouette or style.
Bonobos
When it comes to wedding guest attire for men, Bonobos is the perfect one-stop-shop. They have all the essentials you'll need to earn yourself the title of 'best dressed guest', such as statement-making suits and accessories. We especially love their selection of sweaters and outerwear for the fall.
Rent The Runway
Don't want to buy a new wedding guest dress for every event? We feel you. Renting a fall wedding guest dress from RTR is an excellent way to sport a fabulous gown and save some cash. With RTR, you can filter by size, formality, color, body type and much more.
