The Complete Guide on What to Wear to a Fall Wedding

If you thought wedding season was over, think again. Sure, there's always talk of summer weddings, but as the trends have proven, the cycle of nuptials does not actually end after Labor Day (though, your outfits might change for events that take place later in the year). For a fall wedding, it's all about reimagining your warm-weather staples in a new way. Florals take a darker turn, lighter materials are swapped for velvet instead, and hey, you may want to throw in a jacket too.

If you're currently on the hunt for something to wear to the next fall wedding on your calendar, we're here to help. Below, we broke things down by dress code to help you figure out what will work for your next soirée, no matter the theme. Shop our favorite picks (at every price point) below. 

Black Tie

what-to-wear-to-a-fall-wedding-240443-1635536184471-main

(Image credit: @aimeesong)

This is where you bring all the drama. Think rich silks in warm tones, crushed velvets, and dresses with long (and dramatic) sleeves. To the dresses below, don't be afraid to bring out the statement accessories.

Cocktail

what-to-wear-to-a-fall-wedding-240443-1635534277174-main

(Image credit: @laurenegg)

If I'd had to label the easiest dress code, it would be a cocktail. It hits the perfect medium ground between black tie and casual. There's also more room for opting for more personal and unique touches with prints, shorter silhouettes, and vibrant colors.

Casual

what-to-wear-to-a-fall-wedding-240443-1635534333694-main

(Image credit: @mfass)

I love a daytime or outdoor wedding, and I'm sure it's easier on the wallet and wardrobe too. You can dress up pieces you already own, and if you're purchasing a new one, at least you'll know that it can be more versatile than a gown. Lighter materials like cotton or crepe in floral prints and bright colors all will work.

Creative

what-to-wear-to-a-fall-wedding-240443-1635534256165-main

(Image credit: @naomielizee)

Creative may not be the most common dress code, but it comes into play for weddings where the bride and groom want guests to bring personality and fun into their looks. If I had to pick a favorite dress code, it would be this one. This is where you can have more flexibility with trendier pieces.

Next: The Prettiest Fall Cocktail Dresses From Zara, H&M, and More

Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.