12 Fall Wedding guest Outfit Dos and Don’ts

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Fall weddings are probably some of the most fun weddings to dress for. You get all those gorgeous fall colors, richer fabrics and cute accessories without having to bundle yourself up in a huge winter coat. But fall wedding guest outfits can also come with a few questions. Can you wear black? Are boots okay? Is that champagne dress too close to white? And what exactly are you supposed to wear when the ceremony is outside but the reception is inside?

If you’ve been scrolling through Pinterest trying to put together the perfect fall wedding guest outfit, there are a few simple dos and don’ts that can make your decision much easier. Of course, the dress code on the invitation should always come first, but these tips will help you choose something that looks appropriate, feels current and actually works for fall weather.

Here are 12 fall wedding guest outfit dos and don’ts to keep in mind before you decide what to wear.

DO: Choose Rich Fall Colors

Fall is the perfect excuse to move away from the lighter colors we usually see at spring and summer weddings.

Burgundy, chocolate brown, forest green, navy, plum, rust and deep blue can all look gorgeous at a fall wedding. You can also wear softer shades such as dusty rose, muted blue or sage if darker colors aren’t really your thing.

You don’t have to dress like a literal fall leaf either. Pick a color that suits you and that feels appropriate for the venue and dress code.

DON’T: Wear White, Ivory or Anything That Photographs White

If you’re wondering if your outfit is too white, it probably is.

Seriously, this is one of those situations where it’s better to choose something else than spend the entire wedding wondering whether your dress was appropriate.

This includes obvious white dresses, but you should also be careful with ivory, cream, very pale champagne and extremely light beige. Some colors can look much lighter in photos than they do in person.

A floral dress with a little white in the pattern is generally a completely different story, but if white is clearly the main color of the outfit, I’d skip it.

DO: Pay Attention to the Fabric

The fabric can completely change how appropriate an outfit feels for fall.

Velvet, satin, crepe and heavier chiffon can work beautifully for this time of year. Even if you choose a fairly simple dress, a richer fabric can instantly make it feel more appropriate for an October or November wedding.

This is especially helpful if you love simple silhouettes and don’t necessarily want to wear an obvious fall print or color.

DON’T: Assume a Fall Wedding Will Be Cold

Fall weather is unpredictable, especially during September and early October.

You could arrive expecting crisp fall weather and end up sitting through an outdoor ceremony on an unexpectedly warm afternoon. Before you choose a heavy velvet dress with long sleeves, check the typical temperatures for the wedding location.

Layers are usually your best friend here. You can prepare for cooler temperatures without committing to an outfit that will leave you sweating before cocktail hour even starts.

DO: Bring a Layer That Actually Works With Your Outfit

Don’t wait until the morning of the wedding and realize the only jacket you packed is your everyday puffer coat.

If part of the wedding takes place outside, plan your layer at the same time as the rest of your outfit. A tailored blazer, wrap, shawl, cropped jacket or dressy coat can work depending on the dress code.

This is especially important for evening weddings when temperatures can drop pretty quickly once the sun goes down.

DON’T: Forget About the Venue

A fall barn wedding and a formal hotel wedding call for very different outfits.

Before you buy something because it looked cute on Pinterest, check where the wedding will actually take place. A long satin gown might look incredible at a formal ballroom wedding but feel excessive at a casual backyard celebration.

The venue can also help you decide on shoes, layers and fabrics, so it’s worth looking it up before you plan your whole outfit.

DO: Consider Boots When They Fit the Dress Code

Yes, you can absolutely wear boots to some fall weddings.

Sleek ankle boots or dressy knee-high boots can look really cute with the right midi dress, especially for a more relaxed outdoor, countryside or barn wedding.

The key is to keep them polished. Your everyday chunky rain boots probably aren’t the move here, ahah.

For formal or black-tie weddings, classic heels or elegant flats will usually work better.

DON’T: Wear Shoes You Can’t Actually Walk In

Those gorgeous heels won’t feel quite as gorgeous when you’re sinking into wet grass every three steps.

If the ceremony or reception takes place outside, check what type of ground you’ll be walking on. Block heels, wedges, flats and dressy boots can make much more sense than stilettos for grass, gravel or uneven ground.

You can still wear cute shoes. Just make sure you can actually get from the ceremony to cocktail hour in them.

DO: Try a Midi Dress

If you’re stuck on what to wear, a midi dress is one of the easiest options for a fall wedding.

It gives you a little more coverage than a short dress but doesn’t automatically feel as formal as a floor-length gown. You can also dress it up or down depending on the shoes, bag and jewelry you choose.

A satin midi dress with heels can work for a cocktail dress code, while a floral midi with block heels can work beautifully for a more relaxed fall wedding.

DON’T: Take the Fall Theme Too Literally

You don’t need to wear burnt orange leaves from head to toe just because the wedding happens in October.

Fall wedding guest style can be much more subtle. A chocolate brown dress, burgundy bag, velvet heels or dark green jumpsuit can give your outfit a seasonal feel without making it look like you coordinated with the table centerpieces.

Use fall colors and textures as inspiration rather than treating them as a costume requirement.

DO: Check the Dress Code Before Shopping

This sounds obvious, but Pinterest can make it very easy to fall in love with an outfit before you’ve even checked the invitation.

Look for words such as black tie, formal, cocktail, semi-formal or casual. If the couple has a wedding website, check that too because they may have included extra information about the venue, weather or expected attire.

When in doubt, I’d rather be slightly overdressed than show up in something that feels far too casual.

DON’T: Forget That You’ll Be Wearing This Outfit for Hours

Your outfit needs to survive more than the first 20 minutes of the wedding.

You’ll probably sit through the ceremony, eat, drink, take photos, walk around and hopefully spend plenty of time on the dance floor. Make sure you can comfortably sit, move and dance in whatever you choose.

This doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style for comfort. It just means that if you already hate wearing the dress when you try it on at home, you’re probably not going to suddenly love it six hours into the wedding.

The best fall wedding guest outfit is one that fits the dress code, works with the weather and makes you feel good enough that you don’t have to think about it for the rest of the day.