The Ultimate Guide: What to Wear to a Winter Wedding

If one thing is for certain, it’s that weddings come in all types and styles and at all times of the year. And, while the most popular wedding season may be late summer/early fall, it’s not unlikely that you’ll find yourself RSVPing to a romantic winter wedding sometime in the near future. After all, there’s something magical about a white wedding. Maybe it’s the peacefulness of a quiet landscape or the beauty of freshly fallen snow, but when it comes to dressing for a winter wedding, you know you’re going to want to wear something simply spellbinding. Check out our ultimate guide of what to wear to a winter wedding and ensure you’ll be the most enchanting guest on the dance floor. 

Dress for the Occasion

First things first: When it comes to planning your winter wedding guest attire, decode the dress code. Oftentimes, couples will state how guests should dress on the invitation itself with helpful little phrases like formal, semi-formal or casual. Occasionally, however, you’ll get that quirky invite with a slightly less conventional vibe like “festive dress requested” or (heaven help us) “costume themed.” If you’re still unclear on how dressy you should get for the occasion, use your context clues to help you figure it out. Evening weddings are often considered formal affairs while daytime nuptials tend to be more on the casual end of the spectrum. 

Layer Up

Source: Shebeko/Shutterstock.com

If you’re attending a traditional wedding during the winter, then it’s probably safe to assume that the majority of the event will be held indoors. However, there’s always a chance that part of the event may take you out into the cold–even if it is just for a quick snowball fight with your date in the parking lot. Play it safe this winter and incorporate an equally fashionable extra layer to your dressy outfit. Think a sweeping, sleeveless dress layered with a cute jacket for extra warmth (and style). For a casual affair, consider adding a layer with a classic cardigan or shawl thrown over a short sleeve midi dress. And, if you’re truly at a loss, an elegant belted trench makes any outfit look dressy, no matter the occasion.

Consider the Fabric

Source: Look Studio/Shutterstock.com

A winter wedding is no time for chiffon–unless, of course, you want to freeze your cute little yoga booty off. Opt for a dress made from a more winter-friendly fabric like velvet, satin or even lace for a wondrous winter ensemble that won’t go unnoticed. For a black-tie affair, think an elegant lace maxi or a floor-sweeping velvet dress guaranteed to steal the spotlight. Stylish velvet dresses are a great choice for semi-formal affairs as well. Try a velvet midi dress with a chic faux fur jacket for a sexy look even the bride will envy.

Choose the Color

Most weddings are planned around a particular color scheme and, while you don’t have to dress in the same colors as the flowers, it probably wouldn’t hurt to dress somewhat within the same color family. Popular winter wedding tones tend to be on the deeper side like dark purples and reds, hunter green, navy and chocolate brown. Lighter colors like soft pastels are better suited for spring and summer weddings. Of course, black-tie events hold their own set of rules–mostly black is preferred–but other eye-catching colors like gold, silver and copper hues are additional choices for fancy affairs. 

If you’re someone who is tasked with finding her own bridesmaid dress for a winter wedding, then you most definitely want to be in-the-know when it comes to the wedding colors. Luckily, cute bridesmaid dresses have come a long way since the pastel ruffle mania of the ’80s. Fortunately, finding an elegant and (gasp) attractive bridesmaid dress that you’ll want to wear again is totally doable. Of course, you have to give the bride what she wants for her special day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t love how you look, too. Consider something timeless like lace or a gorgeous dress that offers a little bit of shimmer (you are part of the wedding party, after all). Even the right LBD can be a great choice for a formal wedding. 

Long Sleeves vs. Short (or No) Sleeves

Source: Asauriet/Shutterstock.com

Let’s face it–when it comes to dressing up, there are just some things we women compromise on to ensure we look good from start to finish. Things like drinking white wine all night in case of spills and skipping dessert to ensure your Spanx lives to see another first-date. And, while there are many things we take into consideration when we dress for a special event, the length of your sleeves at a winter wedding doesn’t have to be one of them. The only thing you need to consider when deciding between a long sleeve dress versus a short sleeve one is your comfort level. Is it cold enough that you would be warmer and more comfortable in long sleeves? Would they make you feel too constricted once things heat up on the dance floor? If you’re on the fence, go for a short sleeve dress and bring a cute jacket or cashmere sweater you can layer over for warmth. Even a wide scarf can double as a pashmina in a pinch and make it look like that was your fashionable plan all along. 

Remember to Accessorize

Whether it’s a daytime wedding or an evening soiree, adding the right accessories is key when it comes to elevating your look. Remember to keep it simple. While a little sparkle is OK, this is no time to break out the crown jewels. You are just a guest after all, and the last thing you want to do is steal the spotlight away from the newlyweds (right?). Opt for one or two favorites–like a pair of dangling earrings or an elegant teardrop necklace. Ultimately, you want jewelry that will complement that gorgeous dress you’re wearing without overshadowing it. Use the same discretion with your hair and makeup and you’ll be well on your way to best-dressed-wedding-guest in no time.