“Wedding season” is generally considered summer, but the most popular months to say “I do” are actually in the fall. Maybe it’s the foliage or the much-anticipated relief from the heat, but fall weddings are definitely a thing. While the multi-hued leaves make for stunning wedding pics for the newlyweds, finding fall wedding guest dresses can often stump attendees. Looking for a dress or pantsuit that’s dressy while still feeling seasonally appropriate is deceptively difficult. But we’re here to help.
Fear not, because ahead are 20 statement-making wedding guest dresses that are both festive in color and design, plus suitable for the dipping temperatures. These fall ensembles especially feature autumnal floral prints, long-sleeve silhouettes, and sultry satin fabrics. Your perfect fall wedding guest dress is just a click away, whether you’re looking for an elegant gown for a black-tie affair or a trendy plus-size wedding guest dress for an outdoor ceremony. Uncover a plethora of new fall dresses for every dress code, waiting for you to celebrate and dance the night away in the months ahead.
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Fall Black-Tie Wedding Guest Dresses
There’s really only one prerequisite for a dress to be appropriate for a black-tie wedding, and that’s simply that it’s floor-length. Luckily, there are tons of stunning floor-length gowns perfect for the cooler weather from Refinery29 reader-favorite retailers. Check out this trendy drop-waist dress from Free People, or scroll on to find gemstone-hued gowns from retailers like Nordstrom, Reformation, and more. Look out for interesting details like voluminous sleeves, drop waists, thigh-high slits, and matching scarves to stand out from the crowd and get you on the best-dressed list.
Shop Free People
Hutch The Ridge Dress, $, available at Free People
Lulus Satin Sleeveless Mock Neck Maxi Dress
Shop Lulus
Lulus Satin Sleeveless Mock Neck Maxi Dress, $, available at Lulus
Reformation Oren Silk Dress
Shop Reformation
Reformation Oren Silk Dress, $, available at Reformation
Ieena for Mac Duggal Pleated Long Sleeve Satin A-Line Gown
Shop Nordstrom
Ieena For Mac Duggal Pleated Long Sleeve Satin A-Line Gown, $, available at Nordstrom
Birdy Grey Shiny Satin Kira Dress
Shop Birdy Grey
Birdy Grey Shiny Satin Kira Dress, $, available at Birdy Grey
Fall Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
Cocktail attire is one of the most popular special-occasion dress codes, offering a balance between formal and casual style, and allowing you to effortlessly go from day to night. This opens up your options to more silhouettes, hemline lengths, fabrics, prints, and embellishments. For the fall, we recommend looking for tried-and-true midi dresses (but you can also seek more casual maxi dresses or more formal mini dresses). We’re personally eyeing midi cocktail dresses with skin-baring details like plunging necklines, statement cutouts, and dramatic slits.
Shop Petal & Pup
Petal & Pup Kleo One Shoulder Maxi Dress, $, available at Petal & Pup
Michael Costello Jake Gown
Shop Revolve
Michael Costello Jake Gown, $, available at Revolve
Abercrombie & Fitch Giselle Clasp-Back Pleated Midi Dress
Shop Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch Giselle Clasp-Back Pleated Midi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch
Anthropologie Sleeveless Ruffled Maxi Dress
Shop Anthropologie
Anthropologie Sleeveless Ruffled Maxi Dress, $, available at Anthropologie
Zara Wrinkled Satin Effect Halter Dress
Shop Zara
Zara Wrinkled Satin Effect Halter Dress, $, available at Zara
Fall Casual Wedding Guest Dresses
If your upcoming fall weddings are on the casual end of the spectrum, you can likely pull a dress from your closet or find one at a non-astronomical price. For daytime nuptials or casual venues, like restaurants or breweries, reach for mini and midi dresses in unexpected fabrics like crepe de chine or poplin, and look out for playful details like stripes, puff sleeves, smocked bodices, and bows. Consider going for elevated tank dresses or milkmaid dresses that can be styled multiple ways for different celebrations (or even be worn to the office).
Shop Ann Taylor
Ann Taylor Striped Boatneck Flare Midi Dress, $, available at Ann Taylor
Elena Puff-Sleeve Dress
Shop J.Crew
J.Crew Elena Puff-sleeve Dress, $, available at J.Crew
H&M Jacquard-Weave Dress
Shop H&M
H&M Jacquard-Weave Dress, $, available at H&M
Moon River Bubble Sleeve Smocked Midi Dress
Shop Tuckernuck
Moon River Bubble Sleeve Smocked Midi Dress, $, available at Tuckernuck
Quince Washable Stretch Silk Tank Midi Dress
Shop Quince
Quince Washable Stretch Silk Tank Midi Dress, $, available at Quince
Fall Outdoor Wedding Guest Dresses
You may have attended a beach wedding this summer, but outdoor fall weddings could instead take place at backyard gardens, lakeside forests, refurbished barns, or rooftop bars. For those, you’ll want to consider carting up a wedding guest dress that has a high neckline, long sleeves, and/or a maxi skirt to account for the cooler weather. You can also look for bold prints like snakeskin and florals, or unexpected fabrics like heavier linens and knitted mesh. Then pair your look with trusty ballet flats or cowboy boots for the outdoor terrain, and comfortably dance the night away.
Shop Mango
Mango Snake Print Chiffon Dress, $, available at Mango
Sézane Leontina Dress
Shop Sézane
Sézane Leontina Dress, $, available at Sézane
Bardot Lucianna Maxi Wrap Dress
Shop Revolve
Bardot Lucianna Maxi Wrap Dress, $, available at Revolve
PrettyLittleThing Textured Mesh Scoop Back Flare Sleeve Maxi Dress
Shop PrettyLittleThing
PrettyLittleThing Textured Mesh Scoop Back Flare Sleeve Maxi Dress, $, available at PrettyLittleThing
Ganni Black Floral Minidress
Shop Ssense
Ganni Black Floral Minidress, $, available at SSENSE
Fall Wedding Guest Mini Dresses
Don’t let the fall chill get in the way. Feel free to elongate your legs in a flirty mini-dress. There are plenty of dazzling and minimalistic options calling your name. If you’re wearing a sleeveless number, you can always drape a cardigan over your shoulders for warmth and a chic touch.
Shop Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch Plunge Satin Mini Dress, $, available at Abercrombie
City Chic Women’s Plus Size Dobby Tiered Dress, $, available at Target
Saylor Charmaine Dress, $, available at Saylor
Ramy Brook Tara Button Down Mini Dress, $, available at Ramy Brook
City Chic Sequin Stripe One-Shoulder Long Sleeve Dress, $, available at Nordstrom
LoveShackFancy Natasha Mini Dress, $, available at loveshackfancy
Fall Wedding Guest Midi Dresses
Midi dresses are a classy choice for a fall wedding — plus, the length is just right for showing off your fancy shoes without your legs feeling overexposed. We’ve found everything from striking gemstone options with statement necklines to delicate ruffled dresses.
Shop ASOS Edition At ASOS
ASOS EDITION Satin Floral Embroidered Midi Dress, $, available at ASOS
Moon River Exclusive Caramel Bubble Sleeve Smocked Midi Dress, $, available at Tuckernuck
Norma Kamali Diana To The Knee Dress, $, available at Free People
Lane Bryant Ruffle-Detail Fitted Midi Dress, $, available at Lane Bryant
Eloquii Cowl Neck Dress, $, available at Eloquii
GUESS Chain Strap Cutout Midi Dress, $, available at Nordstrom Rack
Summersalt The Countryside Poplin Button Down Midi Dress, $, available at Summersalt
Fall Wedding Guest Maxi Dresses
If you’re nervous about the weather once the sun sets, opt for a fall wedding guest dress that falls to the floor. These elegant maxi dresses are anything but frumpy and will keep the breeze at bay.
Shop ASOS Design At ASOS
ASOS DESIGN Cami Embellished Maxi Dress With A Belt In Gold, $, available at ASOS
Ganni Drapey Knit Maxi Dress, $, available at Neiman Marcus
ASTR The Label Anora Floral Tiered Maxi Dress, $, available at Astr The Label
Banana Republic Manon Linen-Blend Maxi Dress, $, available at Banana Republic
Sandro Rhinestone Dress, $, available at Sandro Paris
Reformation Tommie Knit Dress, $, available at Reformation
KIM SHUI SSENSE Exclusive Brown Maxi Dress, $, available at SSENSE
River Island Black Sequin Halter Neck Maxi Dress, $, available at River Island
Fall Wedding-Guest Black-Tie Dresses
If you’ve got a formal event on the books, these gorgeous hued gowns with delicate details will satisfy the black-tie dress code and leave you ready for any star-studded photo ops.
Shop Birdy Grey
Birdy Grey Kira One-Shoulder Satin Dress, $, available at Birdy Grey
Michael Costello Jake Gown, $, available at Revolve
Lulus Poise Black 3D Floral Embroidered Tie-Strap Maxi Dress, $, available at Lulus
SOPHIE RUE Thea Dress In Grey, $, available at Sophie Rue
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