Not surprisingly, over 43% of weddings take place during Fall, according to The Knot. It is by far the most popular time of year to exchange vows, with October being the most popular month overall. You may find yourself swimming in invites and coordinating multiple weekends to be sure to attend the events that are meaningful for you. Figuring out what to wear as a wedding guest can be the most daunting aspect of attending one, and we’re here to help.
Here are our best tips to follow Fall wedding fashion and ensure that you are comfortable and feeling self-assured at every celebration.
Find Complementary Colors to the Wedding Colors
Sometimes, the most difficult decision to make for your attire is the color! Many of us follow the “no white” rule to avoid splitting attention away from the bride-to-be, while others take a modern approach and place no restrictions on their guest’s color choices. Whether you’re traditional or alternative, choosing a shade that complements the wedding theme is a beautiful way to pay homage to the couple and feel your best.
Weddings with soft pastel shades like pale rose work well with sage and honey colors, while darker tones such as sapphire and emerald are complemented by tangerine and sweet cherry hues.
Choose a Unique Silhouette or Daring Color
Finding the right balance between color and design makes the difference between feeling like an elegant wedding guest or an out-of-place attendee. There are thousands of shades available in dresses and suits, with a large variety of color families to meet any theme or palette.
When it comes to shape, there are classic and fashion-forward options for every dress and two-piece. If you’re trying to decide what kind of look to go for, choosing a bold color – like magenta or lemon yellow – carries a powerful message. When you’re working with tones like these, going for a classic or more straight-shaped dress will bring the focus back to your vivid color and keep your natural look shining.
Prefer to take a chance with a mermaid-shaped dress or bring back the ’90s and 2000s with lace velvet textures? Make these fashion choices with confidence. Going with a sharper fabric or dramatic cut looks effortlessly elegant with a neutral tone such as charcoal or petal pink. Like a bold color, choosing one focal point for your look is key to looking and feeling luxurious during your event.
Coordinate With Your Friends
Needing some inspiration for your wedding guest look? Struggling to find the perfect dress? Happen to know a few people who are also attending? Reach out to them about what they are thinking of wearing, and see if you all can create a theme to coordinate with one another. This is a fun way to feel connected to your friends and loved ones while also taking the stress out of making a choice that you’ll enjoy.
For some, shopping together for the event can be a fun way to follow the shared theme while also seeing how it will look together on the day of the wedding. Dress and suit shopping isn’t just for the wedding party anymore!
Add Flowers & Adornments To Your Look
Already have the perfect wedding guest dress or suit to wear to your next one? Feeling like your existing wardrobe is great, but it is missing something? Instead of focusing on color or shape, turn your eye to your accessories and adornments. Something as simple as your earrings or hairstyle has the potential to be an unforgettable aspect of your entire look. For Fall weddings, bring a flavor of the season with nods to Halloween, the leaves changing, or other seasonal symbols that are meaningful for you.
Looking for an elegant and easy option to dress up without stressing over the specifics? Gem tone shades look stunning paired with ruby jewelry as a sparkling accent. Rings with hints of color, earrings adorned with designs, and light-catching bracelets are all options to incorporate into your wardrobe (and wedding look rotation)!
Read: Fashion Forward: The Printed Textile Revolution
When All Else Fails, Ask a Friend (or the Bride)
If you’ve gone through all these steps and still find it impossible to answer questions, reach out to the source. Get in touch with the bride or wedding party, if you know them, and ask what colors and designs are going to be present at the event. Preparation will ensure that you feel confident in your decision on what to wear and how comfortable you’ll feel at the event. Even knowing where the venue is – indoor, outdoor, dance hall – can influence what you’d prefer to wear for hours while you’re attending.
Friends and loved ones are always happy to provide support and insight, and deciding what to wear to a wedding can become incredibly simple with some outside perspective. Another person’s point of view can shake us out of indecision much easier than trying to figure it out on our own.
During the Autumn wedding season, there will be many weddings and celebrations of love and matrimony. While attending, feeling confident and comfortable is possible with a few tips. Choosing complementary colors in your attire will fit right in with any wedding theme, and striking a balance between bold colors or eye-catching textures and shapes is the secret to success.
Relying on your tried and true wardrobe with a few accents, like those ruby jewelry pieces or statement cuff bracelets, can elevate your look with minimal effort. If you’re still trying to find the right attire, reaching out to friends, fellow guests, or the wedding party is a surefire way to make the perfect impression as a wedding guest for every future event you are invited to.
