16 Fall Wedding Guest Dresses You'll Love

Love is in the air. Here's what to wear.

fall wedding dresses
(Image credit: KAT IRLIN)

The Cocktail Party Wedding

Unlike 2020, when nuptials were few and far between, 2021 is turning out to be a big year on the wedding circuitIf your refrigerator is brimming with save the dates, finding the perfect dress for your wedding guest debut is obviously top of mind. Swapping sweatpants for ballgowns can be a bit of a shock, so you'll want to find something that ticks both the comfort and style boxes. Whether you're attending a rescheduled 200-person affair or a more intimate micro-wedding, finding the right dress doesn't have to spiral you into full-on panic mode. Ahead we've got options that will have you looking so good, you'll practically upstage the bride.

The Courthouse Wedding

With a spike in city hall marriages over the past year, it's plausible that you'll be invited to an intimate gathering at the marriage bureau. While there are no hard and fast rules on what to you have to wear, a sophisticated midi-dress style will ensure you rise to the occasion.

The Courthouse Wedding

(Image credit: KAT IRLIN)

The Courthouse Wedding

(Image credit: KAT IRLIN)

The Dresses

The Black Tie Wedding

Don't panic when the wedding invite says "black tie attire." Evening wear can be fun without being fussy. Invest in a neutral color combination (like black and white) that you can repeat wear for other formal functions.

The Dresses

The Garden Party Wedding

Be one with your surroundings in a floral printed dress that you can pair with a cardigan or light jacket for crisp fall days. For outdoor weddings set in the grass, opt for a flat or wedge shoe to avoid sinking.

The Dresses

The Cocktail Party Wedding

Choosing a shorter ensemble will ensure you can dance the night away. Toast to the new couples in something out-of-the-box, like a plaid, bow-embellished dress or a pearl spaghetti strap number.

The Dresses

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Sara Holzman
Style Director

Sara Holzman is the Style Director at Marie Claire, where she has worked in various roles to ensure the brand's fashion content continues to inform, inspire, and shape the conversation around fashion's ever-evolving landscape. A Missouri School of Journalism graduate, she previously held fashion posts at Condé Nast’s Lucky and Self and covered style and travel for Equinox’s Furthermore blog. Over a decade in the industry, she’s guided shoots with top photographers and stylists from concept to cover. Based in NYC, Sara spends off-duty hours running, browsing the farmer's market, making a roast chicken, and hanging with her husband, dog, and cat. Find her on Instagram at @sarajonewyork.