Mystery Solved: What to Wear to a Fall Wedding

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Fall weddings bleed a certain kind of romance: confident, warm, intimate. Dressing to attend one can be far from those adjectives—colors to wear, pieces to layer, weather conditions to preempt!

Relax. We've consulted a handful of experts from bridal magazine editors to dress designers on what to wear to a fall wedding, and came up with four solutions to stick in your back pocket. Try a jumpsuit on for size, get away with wearing a sweater, figure out how to do floral, and manage to do black without looking like you're at a funeral—all with the help of our handy guide below.

Cover up with a jumpsuit

A berry hue is perfectly suited for the cooler months: "Summer weddings are all about wearing high-energy colors that pop—pink, poppy, bright blue, radiant yellow," explains Molly Guy, creative director of Stone Fox Bride. "But when you attend a fall wedding you want to evoke a more romantic, melancholy vibe, mimicking the changing leaves and dark harvest sky." Play up that romantic vibe with blush tones and a furry scarf—the masculine jumpsuit silhouette is balanced nicely by full-on girly girl accessories.

Wear black without screaming "funeral"

Texture mix is the key to wearing black without looking like a bummer. Sequin and lace details are inherently party friendly but are elevated to cool girl status by leather ankle booties and an asymmetrical hem (you can tell fellow guests you're a renowned industrial designer, they'll believe you). As for covering up, consider a wool blazer coat. "A nice tailored coat in a neutral is always a safe go-to," confirms Brides senior fashion and accessories editor Shane Clark.

Floral—not just for spring

"Dark floral prints are one of my favorite trends right now," says Jessica Mullevey, head buyer for Rent the Runway. "It's a sophisticated, moody take on a typically girly pattern." Play off the colors in the print and echo them throughout your outfit to keep the look grounded, whether you're print mixing or pairing with solids.

You can totally wear a cozy sweater

"Fall weddings are an invitation for guests to layer," says Style Me Pretty founder Abby Larson, suggesting heavy knits paired with long skirts. Here we've worked a pastel sweater in with a rainbow of grey in a smattering of luminosities, from muted suede mules to a super-shiny clutch.

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