24 Outfit Ideas for Guests to Wear at Every Wedding this Fall

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Fall wedding season is upon us, and if you’ve got multiple invitations on your calendar, you may be stressing about what to wear to all of them. It’s a magical time of year, but fluctuating temperatures and confusing dress codes can make it hard to get your outfit right. 

Don’t fret: With rich jewel tones like emerald and burgundy, luxe textures like velvet and silk, or even a little bit of sparkle if you’re looking to shine, there are plenty of photo-worthy options for every autumn wedding. With inspiration from this fall’s top trends, we put together this collection of outfit options, from formal gowns to velvet pantsuits to pleated jumpsuits. Whether you're attending a vineyard wedding at golden hour or a romantic candlelit affair, here are 24 outfit ideas that will make you the best-dressed guest.

01 of 24

Dark Florals

 Kathryn Newton wears a floral black dress

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Dark florals are a perennial fall favorite. On a cocktail dress silhouette, they’re just right for a wedding reception.

02 of 24

Classic Black

Black sleeveless maxi dress

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Yes, you can wear black to most weddings, and for a fall wedding in particular, you can’t really go wrong with a quintessential little black dress.

03 of 24

A Formal Groutfit

A woman wears a grey dress

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Gray outfits — or “groutfits” (sorry) — are going to be everywhere this fall, perhaps as a counterpoint to the Barbiecore that dominated summer. It’s a perfect choice for a fall wedding if you want a neutral tone that’s a touch less harsh than black. Try combining it with another fall trend like a turtleneck.

04 of 24

Velvet Suit

Francesca Sofia Novello wearing a velvet silver pant suit

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Be the most glam guest with an elegant velvet suit. The luxe material is perfect for fall, and a suit is fresh and unexpected.

05 of 24

Ruched Floral Midi

Olivia Valin wearing ruched floral midi

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A tea-length dress is another great option if you want the smooth, warm texture of velvet in a more classic wedding style.

06 of 24

All Red

A guest wears red gown

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Tomato Girl Summer is becoming Tomato Girl Fall, as head-to-toe red styles are still going strong into the new season. It’s a dramatic look for a wedding.

07 of 24

Sequin Pants

A woman wears sequin pants

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Break out of the dress habit! Pants are a great wedding option as long as they’re formal enough to be appropriate for the dress code. Sequin pants in a rich color palette should do the trick for a cocktail attire celebration.

08 of 24

Velvet Gown

Velvet gown

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For an autumnal black-tie affair, a gown like this has everything: a seasonal jewel tone, a sumptuous texture, and unique sculptural details in the collar.

09 of 24

One Shoulder

One shoulder asymmetric dress

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Try a striking asymmetrical neckline to stand out in a crowd. With this one, you’ll enjoy a little more warmth than a sleeveless gown.

10 of 24

Sparkly Plunge

Chiara Baschetti attends the Del Core fashion show during the Milan Fashion Week Womenswear

A sexy, sparkly cocktail dress is the way to go when you know the wedding reception is going to be a true party.

11 of 24

Silk Gown

Tamu Mcpherson wearing maxi floral dress

 Valentina Frugiuele/Getty Images

If the dress code calls for a full-length dress, a silky floral gown will do nicely. Just add some heels and a pair of dangly earrings.

12 of 24

Pleated Jumpsuit

Yana Echko wearing red pleated jumpsuit

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For a wedding with disco vibes, you can’t find a better outfit than a pleated jumpsuit.

13 of 24

A Sheer Overlay

Copenhagen Fashion Week Sheer overlay dress

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For a fashion-forward fall wedding where a simple sheath won’t do the trick, feel free to mix it up with unexpected shapes and layering, like this sheer overlay on top of a long-sleeved dress. 

14 of 24

Burgundy Backless

Ella Grace Mendelsohn wearing burgundy satin maxi dress

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If you’re comfortable showing a little skin, a backless gown in a rich fall color like burgundy is just the bombshell style for you.

15 of 24

Fringe

Woman wearing gold fringe dress

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Got a wedding where you know the dance floor will be busy? Find a dress with some textured fringe to swing around with you all night long.

16 of 24

Pumpkin Spice

Vanessa Kingori in burnt orange dress during London Fashion Week

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Don’t fight the seasonal dominance of pumpkin spice — embrace it for the warm, cozy, autumnal vibe. An orangey hue is lovely for a fall wedding.

17 of 24

Silky Wrap Dress

FLora Delle Vacche in silk wrap dress

Valentina Frugiuele/Getty Images

While we’re thinking about our warm, seasonal drinks, a café au lait-inspired shade is another solid choice. A wrap dress silhouette can work for practically any venue, from a rustic barn wedding to a more formal church setting.

18 of 24

Strapless and Sequined

Sui He in strapless sequin dress

Valentina Frugiuele/Getty Images

This sweet and sparkly little dress would be perfect with a wrap around your shoulders for an autumn wedding. The T-strap Mary Janes are so on-trend at the moment, or you could pair it with a simple pump for a more classic look.

19 of 24

Brown Leather

Brown leather dress

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Leather is big this fall. In a streamlined and sophisticated shape, it can absolutely work for a wedding guest, particularly at a trendy city wedding reception.

20 of 24

Purple Floral

Purple floral dress

Christian Vierig/Getty Images

Make a statement in a bold gown, be it a rich shade of purple, an oversized floral detail, or both!

21 of 24

Off the Shoulder

Mary Leest wears purple gathered leather off-shoulder leather dress,

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Tops and dresses with off-the-shoulder necklines are trending this season. It’s a sexy but not-too-revealing cut that would work in multiple venues and for varying levels of formality.

22 of 24

Fall Sunset Vibes

Sara Sampaio in orange dress

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Why pick one fall color when you can choose them all? 

23 of 24

Peplum

Sai De Silva in peplum dres

Christian Vierig/Getty Images

Yes, peplums are back this season. Done right, it can be an eye-catching detail for a special occasion.

24 of 24

Bow

London street style pink dress and Chanel purse

Christian Vierig/Getty Images

Another trend from the fall runways that’s just begging to go to a wedding? Bows! Try a dress with an oversized one for maximum effect.

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