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

Sara Holzman
Style Director

Sara Holzman is the Style Director at Marie Claire, covering runway trends and tracking down the latest finds to buy and wear. When she’s not writing about fashion, she pens about the best places to jet-off to. Over her six years with Marie Claire, Sara has reported on the ever-evolving world of fashion— covering both established and emerging designers within the industry. Sara has held fashion positions at Lucky and SELF Magazine and was a regular contributor to Equinox’s Furthermore website, where she wrote across their style, wellness, and travel verticals. She holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and currently resides in Manhattan. Follow her along at @sarajonewyork.