“Wedding season” is often associated with summer, but the most popular months to say “I do” actually fall later in the year. Maybe it’s the foliage or the welcome relief from the heat, but fall weddings are definitely a thing. While the colorful leaves make for stunning wedding photos, finding fall wedding guest dresses can be tricky. The goal: something elevated, seasonally appropriate, and comfortable enough to carry you through hours of celebrating (and dancing).
Ahead, we’ve rounded up 24 statement-making fall wedding guest dresses that work for dipping temperatures (think: maxi lengths, long sleeves, and rich fabrics) and every kind of venue. Expect autumnal florals, sweet puff sleeves, and slinky satin picks. Whether you need an elegant gown for a black-tie affair or are craving a trendy plus-size dress for a casual ceremony, your perfect look is just a click away.
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Fall Black-Tie Wedding Guest Dresses
While floor-length gowns are a common go-to for black-tie weddings, luxe fabrications, intricate detailing, and statement design elements can make an ankle-grazing or slightly shorter silhouette just as fitting — especially if a floor-length style falls short on taller frames. This season, look for one-shoulder sleeves, dramatic draping, and voluminous mesh overlays to stand out from the crowd and land on the best-dressed list.
Adrianna Papell Plus Size One Shoulder Jacquard Dress, $, available at Adrianna Papell
Lulus Plisse One-Shoulder Maxi Dress
Lulus Plisse One-Shoulder Maxi Dress, $, available at Lulus
TFNC Plus Shoulder Scarf Neck Maxi Dress
Tfnc Plus Shoulder Scarf Neck Maxi Dress, $, available at ASOS
Staud Calluna Dress
Staud Calluna Dress, $, available at Shopbop
Pomander Place Black Marisol Dress
Pomander Place Black Marisol Dress, $, available at Tuckernuck
Petal & Pup Selma One-Shoulder Satin Gown
Petal & Pup Selma One-Shoulder Satin Gown, $, available at Nordstrom
Hutch Iris Off-the-Shoulder Floral Maxi Dress
Hutch Iris Off-the-Shoulder Floral Maxi Dress, $, available at Anthropologie
ASOS DESIGN Curve Cami Ruffle Detail Maxi Dress
ASOS DESIGN Curve Cami Ruffle Detail Maxi Dress, $, available at ASOS
Cocktail Wedding Guest Dresses
Cocktail attire hits that sweet spot between formal and casual, which is why it’s one of the most popular special-occasion dress codes. This opens up your options to plenty of silhouettes, fabrics, and embellishments. For the fall, try satin midi dresses, sleek slip dresses, or elevated minis, plus floral prints, lace trims, and scarf-like accents. These styles transition effortlessly from afternoon soirees to nighttime events with the right shoes and accessories.
Eloquii Plus Hardware Detail Cape Maxi Dress, $, available at Eloquii
Mare Mare Satin Scarf Mini Dress
Mare Mare Satin Scarf Mini Dress, $, available at Anthropologie
Reformation Plus Frankie Silk Dress
Reformation Plus Frankie Silk Dress, $, available at Reformation
ASTR The Label Pleated Drop Waist Dress
ASTR The Label Pleated Drop Waist Dress, $, available at Nordstrom
The Occasion by Old Navy Flutter-Sleeve Satin Maxi Dress
The Occasion by Old Navy Flutter-Sleeve Satin Maxi Dress, $, available at Old Navy
Abercrombie & Fitch High-Neck Crinkle Satin Maxi Dress
Abercrombie & Fitch High-Neck Crinkle Satin Maxi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch
Free People Botanical Maxi Dress
Free People Botanical Maxi Dress, $, available at Free People
Gap Satin Lace-Trim V-Neck Maxi Slip Dress
Gap Satin Lace-Trim V-Neck Maxi Slip Dress, $, available at Gap
Fall Casual Wedding Guest Dresses
For casual weddings — especially daytime ceremonies or laid-back venues like restaurants or breweries — you can keep things relaxed without losing the festive touch. Think cotton poplins, plaid or polka dots, smocked bodices, frilled sleeves, and even a milkmaid dress that you can rewear for other occasions (yes, even to the office).
Quince 100% Organic Cotton Poplin Tiered Maxi Dress, $, available at Quince
Hill House Home The Gia Mini Nap Dress
Hill House Home The Gia Mini Nap Dress, $, available at Hill House Home
Zara Polka Dot Midi Dress with Belt
Zara Polka Dot Midi Dress with Belt, $, available at Zara
Coach Outlet Short Dress With Puff Sleeves In Organic Cotton
Coach Outlet Short Dress With Puff Sleeves In Organic Cotton, $, available at Coach Outlet
Damson Madder Hazel Long Sleeve Midi Dress
Damson Madder Hazel Long Sleeve Midi Dress, $, available at Damson Madder
Dôen Bijou Dress
Dôen Bijou Dress, $, available at Dôen
J.Crew Lace Slip Dress
J.Crew Lace Slip Dress, $, available at J.Crew
Free-est Dixie Maxi
free-est Dixie Maxi, $, available at Free People
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
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