What to Wear to a Fall Outdoor Wedding?
Weddings are always going to feel special—we do call them special occasions, after all. But there are certain things that can make a wedding feel extra special, like a backdrop of stunning fall foliage. There’s something about watching your loved ones tie the knot in a picturesque outdoor venue that really adds a touch of magic to the event. With the changing leaves and a hint of that crisp fall air, an autumnal outdoor wedding is always going to feel a little extra special. And, because of that, it’s only reasonable that you’re going to want to look and feel your absolute best for the occasion.
While weddings are always a great excuse to dress to the nines, an outdoor wedding also means that you have to dress for the weather. Plus, outdoor weddings in the fall often mean you’ll be at a somewhat rustic locale, so you’ll also want to pick a look that matches the aesthetic of both the venue and the season. Sure, this might seem like a lot to consider—but don’t fret, we’ve got you covered. Read on for six wedding-worthy outfit ideas that are perfect for an outdoor venue in the fall.
A Snazzy Sweater Dress
Before we fully dive in here, we think it’s important to note that before picking an outfit for an outdoor wedding, you should always check the weather in advance. We’re sure you already know that—but it’s important to try to plan as much as possible for the day’s weather. Fall temperatures or weather patterns can be somewhat unpredictable, after all, and we want you to be able to save the twists and turns for the dancefloor.
With that in mind, most of us can agree that Fall is the official start of sweater weather. That’s why the very first outfit on our list starts with an effortlessly chic sweater dress. Sweater dresses are perfect for a Fall wedding in general, since they’re very autumnal, and they’re also warm enough to wear for an outdoor event.
Opt for a sweater dress in a warm, soft fabric, with a classic crewneck or an elegant cowl neck neckline. For a wedding, you’ll want to elevate this look a bit by dressing it up. Try pairing your sweater dress with nice drop earrings and a pair of heeled ankle booties or heels. Add a dressy, lightweight jacket layer if the weather calls for it.
A Lovely Linen Swing Dress
Who says special occasion dresses can't be comfortable? With a stylish swing dress in a comfortable, lightweight linen material, you can strike the perfect balance of style and comfort at an outdoor wedding this Fall.
The perfect swing dress for a wedding will fall right above the knee and feature a fun yet formal swingy silhouette. Because a linen swing dress will be more lightweight than a sweater dress, you’ll definitely want to pair this dress with a cozy women's cardigan, in an elegant cashmere material.
If it’s going to be fairly chilly out, you can also rock some leggings or sheer tights with this dress and complete the look with a statement necklace and some leather or pleather knee-high boots.
A Flattering Maxi Dress
We could write a fairly long list of all of the reasons we love maxi dresses for women, but since you didn’t really come here for that, we’ll get straight to the point: maxi dresses are flattering on everybody. They’re also an outdoor wedding staple in the summer, but you can easily style one to be perfect for an outdoor wedding in the Fall, too.
Pair a quarter-sleeve scoop neck tiered maxi dress with a cropped jacket layer or a sleeveless tiered maxi dress with an elegant and oh-so-comfy cashmere cardigan. Maxi dresses will be available in a ton of prints, including lots of summery florals or warm-weather prints, so we recommend steering away from those options and more toward neutral, earthy hues or autumnal designs.
Depending on your height, a maxi dress will hit at a certain point on your leg or ankle, so choose your footwear accordingly. We personally love the look of a maxi dress with a pair of either kitten heels or mules, but you might want to go with heeled booties depending on the weather. Complete this look with some drop earrings or a long, layered necklace.
With a comfy yet elegant sweater dress, a fun linen swing dress, or a fall-friendly maxi dress, you’ll look as great as you feel at any outdoor fall wedding. While we adore autumn, it is important to keep in mind that it can also bring some unexpected weather patterns. Be sure to always bring along a more heavy-duty (yet still as formal as possible!) women’s coat if you’re worried about getting chilly as the event goes on.