Being invited to a wedding is always exciting, and fall is a wonderful season to celebrate one. The vibrant colors, comfy weather, and scenic surroundings just make every moment feel all the more treasurable.
If you’re about to go to a fall wedding as a guest, you might be curious about how to dress for the occasion. You may also be wondering how to dress in a way that accounts for the weather and complements the warm tones. Luckily, we cover all of this in our guide on what to wear to a fall wedding.
What to Wear to a Fall Wedding: Initial Considerations
Before we look into what to wear during fall specifically, it’s a good idea to cover the basics of general wedding attire. The typical dress code for a wedding is cocktail or semi-formal.
Cocktail dressing strikes a balance between being both formal and casual. For those considering a suit, it’s best to go for a choice that’s tailored, but a tie might be optional to fit with the casual nature of the dress code.
If you’re looking to wear a dress, avoid styles with flashy cuts and fabric choices. While striking, these styles may overshadow the bride and take away from her big day. You should also look for a dress that is midi in length — a floor-length gown isn’t usually appropriate for cocktail dressing.
Semi-formal attire is the same in terms of being both formal and casual, but tends to lean more toward the casual side of things than a cocktail dress code. Of course, every wedding will have its own dress code. If you’re not sure, it’s best to just ask!
If you already know what the couple will be wearing on the day, it can be a great choice to style yourself in a way that complements their outfits without upstaging them. Remember to never choose to wear a white dress as a wedding guest unless you’ve specifically been asked to!
If the bride is still undecided on what they’re going to wear, Sherri Hill’s collection of wedding dresses is a great place to direct them for a wide variety of flattering cuts and fits.
A Focus on the Season: What to Wear to a Fall Wedding
Now we’ve got the basics covered, we’ll share some styling tips for dressing for the fall season. Your first worry may be around the changeable weather. Sometimes, one September day is bright and sunny, and the next has an absolute downpour of rain.
For this reason, we suggest layering up your outfit so that you can add warmth if needed, while also having the option to remove a few layers if the temperature increases. This can be done through a tailored blazer, smart sweater, or flattering scarf. A scarf is easily removable and can be a great way to elevate your style for the event.
You may also want to consider your color choices. The colors on display during fall are arguably unbeatable, and it’s a great way to honor the season by matching what you’re wearing to nature’s color palette.
Think oranges, browns, yellows, and reds if you know that you’ll be taking some photos near fallen leaves. You can even go for a deep forest green if you want to stay within the fall color palette, but prefer to dress in a cool tone.
Final Thoughts on What to Wear to a Fall Wedding
We hope our guide on what to wear to a fall wedding has inspired you to create an outfit that will make you feel your best.
However, it’s important to remember that while there are some definite “dos” and “don’ts” in wedding attire — we reiterate, don’t wear a white dress unless you’ve explicitly been told to do so! — there’s lots of freedom in your styling options.
Don’t feel like you can’t wear your favorite floral dress just because the wedding you’re attending is in the fall. Ultimately, you’ll be a happier guest, therefore making the soon-to-be-married couple happier, if you dress in a way that makes you feel comfortable.
