What to wear to a wedding: autumn 2019
Looking for an autumn wedding outfit? We round up the best designer dresses for wedding guests and evening reception outfits
One needs to look dressy, but not overdressed; eye-catching without upstaging the happy couple; suitably modest for a religious ceremony but relaxed enough to hit the dancefloor... the list goes on.
Happily there are a host of contemporary labels that tick all the boxes, with distinctive designs that you'll want to bring into heavy rotation after the big day is over. Dress (or suit, why not?) sorted, it's time to accessorize. Check out our pick of autumn footwear trends and as the right coat can make or break an outfit, browse a few of our favourites to buy now. If the occasion calls for the exuberance of a hat but you're a novice, read our beginners guide to get you started.
If the wedding invitation promises a drafty country venue or there'll be an extended photo shoot outside whatever the weather, then adopt the influencers' secret weapon and layer up with heat-retaining thermals from Uniqlo or Marks & Spencer. A slip will provide a smooth base to make body-skimming silhouettes and clingy fabrics work without the need for shaping underwear.
What to wear to a country wedding
From left: Dress £139, Finery; Dress £725, The Vampire's Wife; Dress £89, Studio by Preen; Dress £1,070, Raquel Diniz
Dressing for a country wedding couldn't be easier right now, thanks to the on-trend pastoral look. Couple that with the proliferation of sleeves and longer lengths and you're covered - quite literally. The difficulty can be striking the right balance with footwear once open-toes are no longer an option, but Mary-Janes, lace-up ankle boots and even tights with sandals get the seal of approval this season.
What to wear to a city wedding
From left: Dress £179, Whistles; Dress £695, Erdem; Jacket £840, and Trousers £415, Dries Van Noten; Dress £560, Olivia Von Halle
A city wedding usually means a civil ceremony, but while things are a bit less traditional they can still be rather formal. Jewel colours, animal prints and tailoring tend to work well in this setting, as does a bit of polish when it comes to styling: elegant court shoes are always a winner, while metallic chunky sandals just seem to work, whatever the season.
What to wear to an evening reception
From left: Dress £80, Monsoon; Dress £320, Self Portrait; Dress £485, Unravel Project; Dress £485, Batsheva
Intimate ceremonies followed by big parties are an increasingly popular way to celebrate, so if you've been invited to an evening reception look at it as an excuse to get into the spirit of things without having to sit through the formalities of the day. It also means your outfit needs to be dramatic and dance floor ready – think mini skirts, fluid pleats and beading or fringe. Make sure to add a pair of shoes that you can dance all night in.
