The best winter wedding guest dresses are packable, easy to spruce up and re-wear, and will keep you warm in chilly destinations. If you’ve been invited to celebrate a couple’s special day this season, you’ll need a wedding guest dress that you’ll feel comfortable dancing in all night long and that matches the vibe of the event itself. When shopping for the right dress, you’ll want to consider the event’s location, if the ceremony or any of the photos will take place outdoors, and if the bride and groom have requested any specific attire.
When it comes to style for a winter wedding, you’ll often see dark colors or jewel tones, crushed velvet dresses, and even some long-sleeve gowns. To help you find the perfect dress to wear to the next winter wedding you attend, we’ve gathered 37 options ranging in price, length, style, and color. Whether you’re flying to a friend’s wedding in Aspen or headed to a black-tie affair in New York City, we have an elegant dress below you’ll love from Nordstrom, Lulus, Reformation, Amazon, Anthropologie, and more.
From formal gowns to velvet midi dresses to comfortable jumpsuits, here are our picks for the best winter wedding guest dresses that will keep you comfortable throughout the ceremony, reception, and after-party.
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If you prefer a long-sleeve dress
As romantic and beautiful as winter weddings are, they can present some unique challenges—cold temperatures, wind, or snow are all possibilities you’ll need to keep in mind, unless you’re headed to a tropical destination. If any part of the big day is outdoors—photos, the reception, cocktail hour—a long-sleeve dress is a great option. These dresses can sometimes be bulky to pack or heavy to wear, so we found some lightweight options that can fit into any garment bag and will keep you covered without sacrificing a ton of space. For something simple and timeless, you can’t go wrong with Lulu’s Wait For Me maxi; but for something sexy, we recommend the brand’s lacy Bragging Rights dress. And who said florals were only for spring? This backless number still feels seasonal without sacrificing color and a little bit of fun.
If the dress code is formal
Long, sleeveless gowns are the most practical option for winter weddings. They’re elegant, appropriate for formal ceremonies, and you won’t overheat if you plan to spend most of the evening on the dance floor. We found plenty of options for every guest’s style, from satin mock neck and V-neck dresses to packable silk gowns. You’ll also find some velvet dresses below in festive jewel tones—these styles are flattering on every body type and perfectly fit New Year’s Eve weddings, too. As far as trends go, we’re eyeing tiered dresses and ruffles, including Elliat’s best-selling Theatrical Gown, Mac Duggal’s teal tiered dress, and Lulu’s backless mermaid maxi. All of these match well with most any winter color scheme and can be reworn for other special occasions this season.
If the dress code is cocktail attire
Some wedding dress codes fall somewhere in the middle—they’re not casual, but they’re not black-tie either. Midi dresses are that perfect in-between for winter weddings where the dress code might be cocktail attire. We’re eyeing styles from Banana Republic, Petal & Pup, and Norma Kamali’s always-popular Diana gown that can be worn year-round. For something feminine and understated, don’t overlook a full-skirted silhouette like these from Meshki or Dessy Collection.
If the dress code is a bit more casual
If the reception is a bit more casual (think semi-formal) or you prefer not to wear a long gown, opting for a shorter dress is a perfectly acceptable option. Whether you’re going for an off-the-shoulder midi or a velvet wrap dress, these options are still wedding-appropriate and will keep you cool while you dance. Also worth mentioning, these dresses are a whole lot easier to pack and keep wrinkle-free than a longer gown. We’ve gathered a variety of options below, including a few affordable dresses from Amazon that are Prime eligible, in case you find yourself shopping last minute.
If you don’t want to wear a dress
Another great silhouette for winter weddings: jumpsuits. These options are comfortable to walk and dance in, yet still look perfectly put together with a pair of heels and the right accessories. The best part? Jumpsuits are versatile, so you’re more likely to rewear one on your next vacation. Another perk: pockets! We gathered a few of our favorites from Abercrombie & Fitch, Nordstrom, and a gorgeous satin jumpsuit from Ralph Lauren.
