Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Dresses & Style Fashion 20 Seasonal Outfit Ideas for Winter Wedding Guests By Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber has been writing, editing, and producing lifestyle and weddings content for over 7 years. In that time, she has interviewed and worked with hundreds of leading experts to become an authority on all things homekeeping, flower arranging, home design, and wedding planning. Editorial Guidelines Published on November 8, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Carmen Santorelli Photography Most guests take one of two approaches to winter wedding attire. The first involves donning that summer dress that could pass as cold-weather appropriate, especially if you add a cardigan and tights. The second means panicking (what even passes as winter-ready guest attire anyway?) as you sort through your closest or department store clothes racks. While neither approach is really wrong, there are much better ways to go about choosing winter wedding attire. In fact, we're of the firm belief that dressing for an end-of-year fête doesn't have to be the slightest bit stressful. The season is packed with so many rich textures and patterns—like velvet and plaid—so you have plenty of choices as you decide what to wear. To kick off the closet search or shopping spree, we've rounded up a few of our favorite looks that actual attendees have worn to their friends' and families' celebrations. A few things to note? We were sure to include plenty of inspiration for the guys—these well-dressed guests will surely inspire your plus-one to opt for something seasonal (and not just the same-old suit he wears year-round). We also recommend a few looks for the little ones, since dressing them appropriately and keeping them warm is often the most difficult part of getting ready on the morning-of. For the ladies, it's important to note the winter-ready guest attire doesn't necessarily require bundled-up looks. Since the event will (most-likely) take place inside, you have some leeway when it comes to style. Feel free to rock that sleeveless evening gown—just be sure that it feels timely through color, texture, or silhouette. Click through to discover all of the wedding guest attire inspiration you'll need for the season's slew of celebrations. 01 of 19 Pine Green Leila Brewster Photography Take inspiration from a major winter motif—like pine trees!—when getting dressed for a cold-weather wedding. This guest proved how pretty the seasonal shade of green could be. A Comprehensive Guide to Wedding Guest Attire 02 of 19 Bold Orange Alyssa Wilcox Photography Breaking free of traditional winter color palettes is an option, too. This guest's bright orange overcoat is a lesson in effective "rule breaking." 03 of 19 Flannel Suit Cimbalik Photography We can all take notes from this little guy, whose flannel jersey suit (a perfect winter fabric!) was as cozy as it was adorable. Our Favorite Ring Bearer Outfits for a Winter Wedding 04 of 19 Festive Embroidery Ryan Ray Looking for a way to make a winter-appropriate moody-hued dress feel a bit lighter? Opt for an embroidered option with sheer accents, like this fashionable guest's ensemble. Her date's look wasn't half-bad, either—we're loving that festive bow tie! Things Guests Love Most About Winter Weddings 05 of 19 Cozy Fabrics Vicki Grafton A wool pea coat is a chic, warm addition to any wintry dress, especially if you're skipping tights. And if you're Scottish? You're in luck. Wool kilts are about as warm as it gets. 06 of 19 Plaid Leila Brewster Photography Tartan is a defining pattern of the season, so why not work it into your look? Ladies will see that there are plenty of plaid dress options out there, but there are options for the men, too. While plaid looks just as good in suit form, we're a fan of this groomsman's subtle bow tie interpretation. Plaid Wedding Ideas We Love 07 of 19 Seasonal Dresses Gia Canali Floor-length dresses with seasonal patterns are always a solid choice for a winter celebration. Bonus points if you opt for garments in celebratory fabrics, like satin and velvet. 08 of 19 Lace Mon Soleil There isn't a wedding season when lace isn't appropriate, but there's definitely a way to make the universal fabric feel more winter-friendly. We love this take on lace appliqués, placed on both sheer black sleeves and a velvet bodice. Fellas, take note of this handsome guests' tie—the gold and copper color palette is perfect for a New Year's Eve wedding. The Prettiest Lace Bridesmaids' Dresses 09 of 19 Suited Up Greg Finck Speaking of the guys: These multi-toned suits are proof that gray, charcoal, and navy are the cold-weather color trifecta. We're particularly fond the second right-most attendee's ensemble. How cool is his mismatched jacket and pants ensemble? 10 of 19 Faux Fur Corbin Gurkin Make like these stylish attendees and opt for faux-fur or velvet shrugs in shades slightly darker than your dress. Chic Ways to Stay Warm at a Winter Weddings 11 of 19 Velvet Polly Alexandre Fine Photography Velvet wraps in unexpected (but still seasonal!) hues like gray-plum and turquoise are sure to make a statement. A furry collar adds an extra dose of warmth. Velvet Accessories to Wear to a Winter Wedding 12 of 19 Formal Gayle Brooker You really can't go wrong with black and white. The classic color combination feels especially relevant around the holidays, especially at black-tie-weddings. Add a red lip, and you're ready to go. 13 of 19 Layers Lauren Kinsey It's no secret that layers are the key to keeping warm when the temperature drops, but layering stylishly isn't as straightforward. Take notes from these trendy guests, who both nailed it. We love this woman's chic cropped cardigan. Her date's layered look included a plaid collared shirt, boiled wool vest, and velvet blazer. 14 of 19 Color Palette Rich cobalt and blush-and-black would look just as lovely on the same garment as they do on individual dresses. Winter Color Palettes to Bookmark 15 of 19 High Shine Smilebooth You'll want to bookmark this handsome guest's jacket for your plus-one. His high-shine satin suit (and matching skinny tie!) complete with leather trim is arguably the most dapper look on this list. 16 of 19 Wintry Textures Alea Lovely Fine Art Photographer While cut-outs (like those seen on the left-most celebrant's gown) might be too chilly for winter, a blood red velvet garment (worn by the guest on the right!) is heavy enough for the season. It's important to note that richer shades, like ruby, sapphire, emerald, and black bring out velvet's sheen—just something to keep in mind as you shop! 17 of 19 Cozy Coats Lacie Hansen Photography Of all the takeaways from this fashionable bunch—from sheer tights to floor-length gowns—the best, by far, is their coat game. Whether you choose a furry cropped jacket (preferably with pockets!) or a more structured pea coat, it's a relief to know that staying warm doesn't have to mean sacrificing on style. 18 of 19 Furry Shawls O'Malley Photographers Most of these 'maids wraps and coats feel similar, but upon closer inspection you'll realize that each was distinct in its own way. We're particular fond of the spotted option, but all would complement a neutral floor-length gown. 19 of 19 Stylish Layers and Fabrics Nina and Wes Photography There are so many great winter outfit ideas to glean from this group. From the gold metallic, merlot, and raspberry colored dresses to the jackets, this stylish wintry guest scene is one to bookmark. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit