What to Wear to a Fall Wedding (Regardless of the Venue)

Fall is officially in full swing, and while the craziness of summer wedding season might be winding down, autumn celebrations are also quite common.

If you’re heading to a special occasion in the next couple of months, you might feel stumped on what to wear. Options can feel somewhat sparse after such high demand throughout the summer, leaving you less than inspired when it comes to choosing what to wear to a fall wedding. Plus, as soon as the weather starts to change, it can only add to the challenge — you want to look chic while also being practical.

Here, I’m sharing a handful of the best fall wedding guest dresses, whether you’re attending a black tie occasion or a backyard soiree. All of these picks have an on-theme feel and could easily be reworn for future fancy events (regardless of the season.) Oh, and what’s even more to love: Many of these selections are under $100!

What to Wear to a Fall Wedding

Shop My Look: Love the outfits I’m wearing in the photos above? Shop the strapless dress here and the gold maxi dress here.

Go with all black.

When you’re really unsure on what to wear as a wedding guest, going with a black dress is a fool-proof choice. While simple, an all-black (or mostly black) look can offer a sophisticated and timeless feel. Black dresses might not necessarily scream fall, but they’re practical when you consider how easy they are to rewear. This choice would be perfect for wedding guest season, cocktail parties, dinner dates…you name it!

Add some pattern.

On the contrary, if you’re feeling more bold, patterned dresses can add a fun and unexpected element to a special event. Moody floral prints are an obvious go-to during the fall months, but stripes and polka dots can also look chic. To ensure your outfit doesn’t look too noisy, opt for neutral accessories and heels. The combo of the pattern and more toned-down touches will result in a well-balanced look.

Opt for autumn colors.

Searching for the perfect fall wedding guest look can be really overwhelming when you have too many options. One simple way to streamline things? Start by choosing the color you want to wear — and my suggestion would be to lean into the season. Orange, brown, gold, navy blue, and shades of green and red are all fair game during the autumn months, and they’ll also be the most readily available for you to choose from since they’re in season.

Consider a gold and brown combo.

Truth be told, I don’t see many people wear brown to weddings, and I personally think this should change (especially in the fall!) While you might initially think this color can run dull, combining it with gold accessories can really take things up a notch. The duo offers a rich and warm feel, which is ideal during the season when things tend to lean more monochromatic and cozy. You could also rock a bold lip color or dramatic makeup look if you want to make even more of a statement.

More Fall Wedding Guest Dress Ideas

Looking for even more fall wedding guest dress inspiration? Here are a variety of looks I’ve worn for special occasions. You can click on each image to shop!