Happy Monday! We’re on the cusp of fall, ladies. And I can’t wait. It’s been hot and humid here in Cincinnati lately, and I’m ready for some cool, crisp days. What about you? Do you have a wedding to attend this fall? My nephew is getting married in October, so I’m excited to be attending his wedding. Today I’m sharing a “shop” full of beautiful wedding guest dresses. I have something for each kind of wedding you may be attending.
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Interestingly, it’s quite possible that I will wear one of the dresses I showed in my video What to Wear to a Spring or Summer Wedding. I kept both the Eliza J Faux Wrap Floral Midi Dress and Tahari Sheath Dress (similar here). You may already have something perfectly appropriate for a fall wedding in your closet, too. But if you’re looking for something a little updated, I have selections in the formal, semi-formal and Sunday best categories.
The wedding I’m attending is at a venue in the country and will include an early evening meal, but the couple’s wedding website indicates the dress code is Sunday best. Here are a few considerations when choosing the dress for an upcoming fall wedding.
Tips for Choosing the Right Wedding Guest Dress & Accessories
- Check the invitation or reception card for a dress code. Also many couples are creating websites with additional information about the festivities, so be sure to check there for a dress code.
- If a dress code is not clearly stated, consider the venue and time of day. The later the wedding and the more extensive the reception, the more formal the attire. Whereas an earlier wedding usually indicates the attire will be less formal, but most guests may be wearing “Sunday best.”
- Because couples are still navigating through the pandemic as they plan their nuptials, many ceremonies and/or receptions are being planned for outdoors this fall. The dress code could still be formal, but the setting could influence your choice of dress, footwear and wrap.
- If you choose to wear hosiery (and you absolutely can!), go sheer. I like these Nordstrom Control Top pantyhose, but I also hear good things about these Commando control top pantyhose.
- For footwear, I generally prefer nude colored heels or dressy flats (if necessary), or something equally dressy in a metallic or crystals.
I have a wedding guest accessory shopping “store” below, too.
Formal Wedding Guest Dresses
I’ve tried to find a wide selection of formal gowns at a full range of prices. Some of these, however, are only available in one or two sizes. Be aware that many of the dresses below come in additional colors, so click through to see the details if you like the silhouette of the dress.
While I’ve included dresses from Macy’s and JC Penney (and maybe others, I can’t remember), I really like shopping for dresses like this from Nordstrom because of their generous and easy return and shipping policies. Keep that in mind as you shop.
You could find other selections at Nordstrom through their wedding guest dress listing.
Semi Formal Wedding Guest Dresses
The following dresses are in the category I would choose if the wedding is in the evening and has a sitdown dinner, regardless of whether a dress code is indicated. These dresses appear festive and special without being formal. Again, many of these are available in other colors, too.
You could find other selections at Nordstrom through their wedding guest dress listing.
Sunday Best Wedding Guest Dresses
If the wedding is earlier in the day, a dress code is not indicated or you know it will be less formal, a “Sunday best” dress is perfectly acceptable. You can wear florals, but just be careful about the placement and pattern busyness. Go with a modern floral as opposed to something that will look dated or too old fashioned. I think the dresses below fit the bill perfectly.
You could find You could find other selections at Nordstrom through their wedding guest dress listing.
Accessories
If you’re shopping for fall wedding guest dresses, you may need accessories, too. You may have everything you need to accessorize your wedding guest dress appropriately and beautifully. But if you’re looking for shoes, handbag, or wrap, I collected a few things I like below.
If you’re shopping for a fall wedding or other formal occasion, I hope today’s post on fall wedding guest dresses was helpful to you. Thank you so much for dropping in.
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Blessed for My Day
We can choose today to praise God or lament. The words we speak aloud are powerful. They have sticking power in our own minds and they can prompt others, too. So let’s choose to speak praises to God today.
While we’re driving down the road, washing dishes, cleaning the back patio or doing the mundane tasks of work, let’s fill the air with praises. And let’s see the power of praise as it propels our hearts to rejoice, encourages those around us and creates an atmosphere of peace and hope.
My heart is steadfast, O God!
I will sing and make melody with all my being!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn!
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. ~ Psalm 108:1-4
Good morning Kay! While I don’t have a wedding to attend, thank you for all of the time spent and research you did, to put this post together! Later this week we are going to really have fall temperatures and I can’t wait! The highs will be in the upper 70’s to low 80’s and the lows will be on the upper 40’s to low 50’s, which = perfection. Today we are having rain, and more rain, all day.
Kay-thank you for all of the time and effort you put into your work. I have a question about what to do with formal dresses after the occasion. I had 3 of my children get married in less than 8 months of each other. Now I have 3 formal dresses and was wondering if you have any suggestions as to what to do with them? I have tried to find a place specifically for more formal dresses in order to donate but am not having luck in the search.
Hi Patty. Perfect timing. Check out my friend Suzy’s blog post for info about where to donate formal attire and other hard-to-donate items. https://emptynestblessed.com/2021/09/20/where-to-donate/
I don’t have a wedding to attend this fall or winter but thanks for all the work you put into it and all the ideas you gave us. Who knows might have one in the spring. Enjoy your nephews wedding. Bless you.
So, showing up in a plaid flannel shirt and jeans prob not appropriate. I love the dress you’re wearing. It’s been a while since I went to a wedding. This pandemic just messed up a lot of peoples plans. I like the accessories pics. Especially the pink.
I love singing praise songs when swinging in our outside swing. I can’t carry a tune but God doesn’t care. The neighbors might.?
What wonderful choices! Thank you Kay
Kay, Thank you for all the ork and research that ent into this post! I only ish you ould have included more plus size dresses and flats that are a range of Sunday best to more formal. This information I really could have used!! Praise the LORD daily!! Make a joyful noise!! Thank you for the reminder!! He is so good to us!!
Oh my, so many beautiful dresses! Makes me wish I was going to a wedding. Thank you, Kay, for all the work you put into this post. Each day, I look forward to reading Blessed for My Day as much as Dressed for My Day.
I had the perfect dress for 3 different weddings you showed it in your picture the front was below the knee longer in the back, since I have MS I cannot wear dresses anymore , 2 yrs ago I wore black wide pilazzo pant and a beautiful pink lace top it was perfect
Hi Kay, your outfits are so beautiful. I live in Rome, Italy and here the temperature is still hot during the day and chilly in the evening. I’ m still wearing spring dresses . See you. Rosalba
Oh how wonderful. I hope to visit Italy one day. I speak a little Italian and would love to use it!
Hey Kay! It’s about 50 degrees in morning here in Hickory Nc,and 80 in afternoon. I love this weather! Had a very hot humid summer. Love all you wear,and tks for all your tips! Have a blessed week. Cindy Roxanne
Kay, beautiful dresses and so many great ideas on how to put together a great wedding guest outfit!! Thank you for covering all the wedding types!! Your efforts are appreciated so much!! I have an October wedding for my nephew too!! I’m going to try to order one of the lively wraps you suggested!! Have a terrific day!
Wonderful. I’m glad this was helpful. ?