The Perfect Fall Palette: Colors and Trends for Wedding Guests

A wedding is delightful at any time of the year, but there’s something undeniably magical about autumn nuptials. The crisp air and the golden light make for an enchanting setting in which to say ‘I Do.’ As a general rule, for fall weddings, more coverage is the name of the game. The weather can be unpredictable, from an out-of-the-blue cloudburst to a summer-hot day, so layers are the way to go. As for the style and length of fall wedding dresses, that depends on the formality of the ceremony. 

Beach wedding guest dresses can be more casual, but when in doubt, always go more formal. When it comes to a wedding, it’s hard to be overdressed. Whether or not you know the color palette for the ceremony, seasonally-inspired wedding guest dresses are always appropriate. But we’ve got the scoop on the hottest color trends for this fall. Keep reading so you can get an insider’s view of what’s happening with fall and winter wedding guest dresses! 

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Sunset Orange & Green

The special light of autumn brings out the best in warm tones, and at the top of the color list is a brown/orange color palette. Perfect for day or evening, fall wedding guest dresses in this cozy hue not only match the season but also highlight your lingering summer tan. 

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Green is a natural complement to orange, and its many shades from sage to forest to emerald are gorgeous and flattering both to the season and virtually every skin tone. When it comes to accessorizing for wedding wear, classics like pearls or diamonds are always appropriate, and they go with any and every color and style of dress! To draw attention to a particular feature, use contrasting colors, such as pairing a sage shawl with a sunset orange halter dress. Monochromatic color schemes are most slimming, something to keep in mind if you’re in the market for plus-size wedding guest dresses. Note that orange is also trending into winter this year, so keep it handy for your winter wedding guest dresses as well! 

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Rose & Gray

Romantic and subtle dusty rose and gray are supremely elegant and are also trending strong this year for fall wedding guest dresses. For an evening affair, a full-length rose gown in foamy tulle or sumptuous satin coordinates perfectly with a gray men’s suit. Also trending are rose and black, making a little black dress an easy choice for wedding guest dresses. In case you’re wondering, yes, black is appropriate for fall or winter wedding guest dresses, especially at black tie events. (The only color that’s off-limits at any wedding is white.) Better yet, black gowns are supremely versatile as well as sustainable because they can be worn again as special occasion dresses. Jazz up your LBD with a sparkly rose handbag or statement necklace and be right on trend.  

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Green & Gold

Not only do green and gold exemplify the season, they are simply gorgeous in candlelight. Florals are also trending strong this year, so why not channel your inner forest nymph and try a gold print on a deep, rich green as a lovely homage to the season? That said, avoid anything too revealing. Besides being inappropriate for family-oriented affairs, you may regret the lack of coverage if the weather doesn’t cooperate. Long-sleeve wedding guest dresses and those with higher necklines are ideal for fending off chilly temperatures. For black-tie wedding guest dresses, look for rich, sumptuous fabrics such as velvet and silk. If you’re not a big jewelry person, a luscious gown precludes the need for many jewels, allowing you to go minimalist on the bling. 

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Blue & Burgundy

Vibrant and elegant, burgundy pairs beautifully with slate blue for a chic evening affair. Slate blue is an extraordinarily versatile color that works for any level of formality, from beach wedding guest dresses to black tie. Slate blue is also appropriate for both fall and winter weddings this year. A classic hue for the mother of the bride, you really can’t go wrong with slate blue. Therefore, it is unsurprising that slate is being seen everywhere this year with the equally-popular burgundy. 

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Luxuriously deep and rich, burgundy is one of the most popular fall wedding colors, and not only because it hides wine stains! A burgundy long-sleeve velvet gown does double duty for fall and winter wedding guest dresses, making it an excellent option if you’ve got multiple celebrations on the agenda! 

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Classic Fall

Unless explicitly stated, guests have free rein when it comes to what to wear to a wedding. While it’s always nice to have a choice, this freedom can make deciding on a dress all the more challenging. In this case, take your cue from the venue, the time of day, and the season. You can never go wrong with fall colors including russet, forest, and wine. But one thing you want to try to avoid is matching the bridesmaids, so do your best to find out what they’ll be wearing. For cues, check the invitation. The main color is often the tone of the bridesmaids’ gowns. If you do happen to match, don’t sweat it. Take it with good grace, and stick with the line, ‘Great minds think alike.’ 

@azazieofficial

Fall-ing in love with this palette 😍🍂🍃 #pov #bridesmaids #bridesmaidsdresses #bridesmaiddressshopping #sayyestothedress #fallwedding #weddingtiktok #weddingplanning

♬ august – Taylor Swift

Navy & Mauve

If classic fall hues aren’t for you, don’t feel limited to seasonal browns and greens. There are plenty of color trends out there that buck tradition, and navy blue and mauve are two of them. Navy is particularly slimming and flattering, and it goes with absolutely everything, making it a popular and practical choice, including for maternity wedding guest dresses.  Combine it with a mauve scarf or handbag and shoes and you’ll be the best-dressed mom-to-be at the party! 

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No matter the season, confidence is key when it comes to choosing your gown. And while the time of year is certainly one consideration when selecting your outfit, the location and the time of day are equally important. Autumn hues are beautiful, but they’re not for everyone. This year, you have options both in traditional fall colors and outside them, including pink and blue, so choose whatever works best for you. Bottom line, if you love your dress, you’ll look beautiful and feel optimistic, and those are the things that will add joy and positive vibes to the happy couples’ special day!