What To Wear to 4 Different Types of Fall Weddings

collage of wedding outfit

Giovanna Chung/KCM

No matter the dress code: RSVP in style.

You checked yes on your RSVP card and popped it in the mail. Now comes the fun (and sometimes intimidating) part: It’s time to figure out what to wear to your upcoming fall wedding. And with so many couples rescheduling weddings that were planned to take place over the past two years, you might even have a few different events to dress for — each with a different dress code. 

Perhaps it’s a casual cocktail party at a beautiful waterfront restaurant, or your friends are fancy and feel like toasting to a lifetime of happiness with a formal black-tie affair. Or maybe you scored an invite to a fabulous tropical destination wedding and have the chance to escape the chilly air. No matter the venue or rules of attire, we selected four completely different top-to-toe looks that work for an array of different fall wedding styles

When it comes to fall fashion, it’s fun to play dress-up in seasonal colors. Think burnt orange, dark burgundy, and sage green. And if you’re the lucky one heading somewhere warm, our suggestion is to match the theme of the destination in bold colors that aren’t as suitable back home. It could be your only chance to wear something summery until next year, so why not pack a palm tree punch? 

Below, shop four amazing fall wedding guest dresses and mother of the bride or groom outfit ideas, plus the shoes, bag, and jewels to go with each. Then, get your phone ready to snap some amazing pics at the wedding to post on social. You may give someone else struggling to find a wedding outfit the inspiration they’re searching for. (P.S.: While we’re at it, if you want to wow the bride and groom with a gift they’ll love, check out Katie and Ellie’s go-to wedding gifts.)

What To Wear to a Dressy-Casual Fall Wedding

Lulu’s Wine Red Dress

Lulus

Sometimes a dressy-casual dress code can be the most challenging. Just how casual will it be? We recommend taking a nod from the venue location and doing a quick Instagram search to see what other people have worn. But rest assured: You can always play it safe with a lacy dress. And since it’s fall, why not play it up a jewel-tone? We love the flattering mock neck of this style, plus, it’s an easy option to rewear to other fall events (or even date nights!).

$58 at Lulus

Clarks Caroleigh Anya Sandal

Zappos

We’re all tired of our feet aching by the end of the wedding reception, so it’s time to ditch the sky-high heels. These pumps by Clarks are incredibly comfortable, and the gold leather gives it a slightly dressier feel than your average heeled sandal.

$70 at Zappos

Anthropologie Frankie Clutch

Anthropologie

Add some shimmer and shine to the outfit with this beautiful gold Anthropologie clutch. If you prefer your hands to be free during cocktail hour, this comes with an optional chain strap to wear over your shoulder.

$80 at Anthropologie

Bauble Bar Delanie Huggie Earrings

Nordstrom

We’re all about versatility, and a pair of earrings you can wear long after the wedding party is essential. These pavé huggies are dressy enough for the reception, but they can easily be worn with an everyday outfit if you want to add some sparkle.

$68 at Nordstrom

What To Wear to a Cocktail-Attire Fall Wedding

Maggy London Flutter Sleeve Faux Wrap Dress

Nordstrom

Cocktail attire usually calls for something more formal, but that doesn’t mean you have to invest in a dress that you’ll only wear once. This faux wrap dress is comfortable and hugs your frame but it won’t split in the front and cause any wardrobe malfunctions like a traditional wrap dress may. Flutter sleeves give a bit of a whimsical touch to this dress, but it also makes it fall appropriate if you need some extra coverage for warmth. This one also comes in black, which is totally fine to wear to a wedding (whoever said it’s not unintentionally made dressing for weddings way harder).

$118 at Nordstrom

Steve Madden Fleur Pointed Toe Mule

Nordstrom

Dance the night away comfortably in these flat mules. The pointed toe will lengthen the appearance of your legs similarly to how heels would, but you won’t find yourself teetering on uneven surfaces or flinging your shoes off after the ceremony like you may with stilettos. Plus, these are a great dress shoe for work or date night after the big celebration, too.

$95 at Nordstrom

Crystal Box Clutch

Amazon

A clutch is the arch nemesis of tote bag and large purse wearers, as they tend to only fit a tube of chapstick and a credit card. This one, however, is different. Reviewers say it easily fits lipstick, a phone, and a pair of glasses, which makes it the stylish version of Mary Poppins’s magic bag.

$34 at Amazon

Maison Miru Comet Twirl Earrings

Maison Miru

These look a little bit like corkscrews, but we promise they’re comfortable. Not unlike you would open a wine bottle, you twist these into your piercing, but they end up looking like two earrings, despite comfortably sitting on your ears as one. It’s sorcery, but it somehow stays in your ears, even if you’re head banging to your favorite song after dinner.

 

$140 at Maison Miru

What To Wear to a Black-Tie Fall Wedding

Leila Satin Charmeuse Maxi Dress by BHLDN

Anthropologie

Just because it’s black-tie doesn’t mean you need to wear black. This sage green satin maxi dress by BHLDN has a deep V neckline and an empire waist, and its sleeves will keep you covered in case the venue is chilly.

$248 at Anthro

Aerosoles Cosmos Heels

Aerosoles

If you think a pair of heels can’t feel like walking on literal clouds, wait until you put these babies on. Aerosoles perfected the versatile heel, and these have a memory foam footbed that cradles your feet, a chunky heel that’s incredibly easily to boogie in, and an adjustable ankle strap for the perfect fit. Commerce editor Katie P. got rid of all of her other heels after wearing these to a wedding recently — so they’re really that good.

$135 at Aerosoles

Mango Chain Clutch

Mango

This pearlescent clutch won’t only add a bit of shimmer to your neutral look, but it’ll protect whatever you keep inside of it. It’s made from a durable acrylic material that stands up to bumps and spills, no matter how crazy things get after the ceremony.

$80 at Mango

What To Wear to a Tropical Destination Fall Wedding

Farm Rio Yellow Floral Dream Maxi Dress

Farm Rio

The best part about a destination wedding in warm weather is getting to wear a more colorful, breezy outfit. The giant floral print on this mustard yellow Farm Rio maxi-dress will not only match the locale, it’s also made from cotton so you won’t feel constricted (or sweat as much) on the dance floor in it.

$275 at Farm Rio

Brelanie Sandal by Vince Camuto

Amazon

Anchor the tropical-printed dress with a pair of honey brown heels. This on-trend pick by Vince Camuto features woven detailing that you’ll be able to easily mix and match with other outfits on the trip, as well.

$60 at Amazon

Bembien Nora Crossbody

J.Crew

Avoiding baggage fees by packing lightly in a carry-on is great until you find you can’t pack all the outfits you want. Instead of taking up precious space with both a wedding and day-trip bag, opt for one that can do both. Handwoven by artisans, this bag doubles as a crossbody and a clutch, and it gives back to the makers who created it, too. Ten percent of all Bembien proceeds go to Nest, a nonprofit dedicated to the social and economic advancement of artisan communities all around the globe.

$200 at J.Crew

Gorjana Reese Pearl Huggies

Gorjana

Mirror the tropical landscape around you with an organically shaped earring, like this one from Gorjana. The earrings are small enough that they won’t clash with your standout dress, and you’ll be wear them around town as you explore the locale before or after the wedding, because you did make a vacation out of the destination celebration, right?

$50 at Gorjana