Fall Wedding Guest Dresses
Deciding what to wear to a wedding is a daunting task. Weddings are special events, so we want to look special too. But the most important thing, no matter what you wear, is to make sure that you feel special. My number one tip for finding the perfect dress for an event? Don’t procrastinate! If you wait until the last minute, you’ll end up picking something you don’t truly love or feel special in. If you have a wedding coming up and you’re still looking for a dress, do NOT worry! I have MANY dress ideas (below), and some questions to help you focus your search.
What To Wear To A Wedding As A Guest
First things first…determine what to wear to a fall wedding by focusing your search and asking yourself these key questions…
1) What is my budget?
Know that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to look and feel your best! Whether your budget is $100 or $1000…there are SO many wedding guest dresses out there to choose from.
2) How do I want to look?
And more importantly…how do you want to feel? Sexy, elegant, fashion-forward, pretty? Decide how you want to feel in your dress and go from there.
3) Do you prefer to wear certain colors?
Think about what colors you’ve worn and then received the most compliments in. If everyone tells you that you look amazing in red, go for a red dress! Also, consider the season. This post is primarily focused on fall wedding guest dresses, which will be very different from summer weddings. For summer, I envision floral prints, bright colors, etc. When I think of an autumnal wedding I picture a pretty jewel tone dress, moody florals, and deeper hues.
4) What is the dress code?
I know wedding dress codes can be confusing. I shared tips on wedding guest attire and what to wear to a wedding based on dress codes here. But The Knot has a cheat sheet breaking down what all the dress codes mean here including info on black tie, semi-formal, cocktail attire, and much more.
Formal Wedding Guest Dress
The stunning Zhivago dress I’m wearing above would be perfect for a fall wedding. The contrasting black and white is so chic and flattering. I know that it has white but it’s not too much white and my rule is that if the majority of the dress is not white, you can wear it to a wedding. This dress makes me feel elegant, sexy, and oh-so-chic. The one-shoulder, subtle cutout, body skimming silhouette, and flattering white panels are all such beautiful details that make this a standout special event dress for fall. This brand is known for their sexy, sleek, modern pieces and I own a few of their dresses and jumpsuits so I linked a few more favorites from the brand below. I styled it with some black slingbacks, but you could wear it with whatever pair of skin shade or black heels you have in your closet. It’s pricey so I’m sharing more options below…
More by Zhivago here.
Cocktail Wedding Guest Dress
If you’re headed to a wedding that’s less formal like cocktail attire, this Me+Em dress is a great option! It’s SO chic and versatile you’ll wear it to more than just weddings. The best part is definitely the fabric. It’s a Ponte jersey that’s wrinkle-resistant, which is great if you have to travel to the wedding. It’s thick and structured so it hides any imperfections, but still lightweight to keep you cool. The silhouette is also super flattering. (I love a fit and flare dress). The V-neckline creates an elongating effect and seam details around the waist give you a beautiful hourglass shape. I love that the dress has cap sleeves, to soften shoulders and get some arm coverage. Throw on some pumps, heels, mules, or strappy sandals for a wedding, dinner, work, or a special occasion.
Shop more Me+Em dresses here.
By the way, I shared FOUR ways to style this dress into fall/winter in this post. And keep scrolling for more fall wedding guest dress options…
Let us know in the comments if you’re looking for something specific…we’d love to help you find exactly what you want so you can look and feel amazing!
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Erin , you look positively gorgeous and very elegant In that dress.
Awe, thank you SO much for your sweet comment, Kimberly! Hope this gives you some exciting new ideas to try out for any special occasions in your future. ~Erin xo
I too love the wedding guest edition! Your suggestions were great. Really beautiful images. The balcony view is so Shakespearian. That shoot location was off the hook such a feast for the eyes! I think I got a sneak peek tour of this spot from MGG. Saw a shoot of yours taking place in the back ground when she went panorama to show the beauty of the place. Those perfect pictures really take some time and effort. And yet your product always looks effortless. Erin., you truly found your calling~You are a natural. ; ) XO Bunnie
What a wonderful comment. Thank you so much, Bunnie!
I swear everytime I feel a little down about my blog or channel because someone else is doing WAY better…
The universe sends me a little message.
Today, you are the universe and I appreciate you!! Erin xo
A huge thank you for such an in depth post on guest wedding dresses. I really appreciated the comments under each style.
You bet, Joyce! Thanks for the feedback!! Erin xo