What to wear to a winter wedding: the best dresses to buy now

Dresses to wear to winter weddings.

Credit: Brands

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What to wear to a winter wedding: the best dresses to buy now

By Billie Bhatia

6 years ago

Winter wedding throwing off your wardrobe? Don’t worry, we have got you covered. 

If you thought wedding season ended in September, you were wrong. While we may be used to wedding invitations tailing off at the end of summer, Princess Eugenie’s nuptials proved the allure of a winter wedding: the fairy-light draped twilight hours, the romantic gusts of wind, the natural backdrop of autumnal leaves and the promise of vodka-based ice sculptures. What’s not to love?

But while the venue may be easy to dress, picking a winter wedding wardrobe is a whole other battle. The dress needs to be chic but warm, and hold up against the elements while still maintaining a sense of occasion. That’s a lot of boxes to tick, right?

So it’s lucky for you and your what-to wear woes that we’ve rounded up all the coolest wedding guest outfit options right here. From countryside weddings to church nuptials and everything in between, these are the stylish frocks that have lower hemlines, longer sleeves and higher necklines to beat the chill during autumn/winter weddings. Best part? There’s one to suit all budgets and styles, too. 

Best winter wedding guest dresses

Ghost Annabelle satin dress

This fluted sleeve dress has been so popular, it has now been brought out in new prints and colour ways. 

We’re imagining this one with a rich berry lipstick and red colour-pop heels.

Printed dress, £165, Ghost at John Lewis & Partners

BUY GHOST DRESS

Image of Topshop dress

Topshop tie smock dress

Emerald green with a ditsy star print will see you through autumn, winter and full-on festive weddings. Team with gold accessories for a fail-safe ensemble that’ll instantly look luxe. 

Smock dress, £39, Topshop

BUY TOPSHOP DRESS

Co dress

Co satin and crepe maxi dress

Puff sleeves have been key throughout 2019, and they aren’t going anywhere. Make them the centre of attention with this Co contrasting satin sleeve beauty. 

The tie-neck drapes down the back of the dress to create the most elegant silhouette. You won’t upstage the bride, but you’ll come close second!

Maxi dress, £925, Co at net-a-porter

BUY CO DRESS

De la vali dress

De La Vali floral print dress

The bright floral print, floaty fabric and puff sleeve detail is what makes this dress a must-have for a winter wedding.

From countryside nuptials to a church affair, you’ll get the wear out of this one. 

Floral dress, £550, De La Vali at net-a-porter.com

BUY DE LA VALI DRESS

Isabelle Fox dress

Isabelle Fox long-sleeved dress

If you want a dress that’ll guarantee everyone asking where you got it from, head to Isabelle Fox. 

Dreamy, swoon-worthy dresses that have all the details of high-end designer without the four-figure price tag. We’re picking this frosty blue long-sleeve number as the winning style this winter. 

Long-sleeved dress, £285, Isabelle Fox

BUY ISABELLE FOX DRESS

Image of Zara dress

Zara satin midi dress

If there is one thing we’ve spotted from the latest ‘new in’ section at Zara, it’s a whole host of satin frocks. Ideal for wedding guest looks, they need barely any styling to look instantly premium. 

We’ve already spotted this under £50 teal number on some of the most stylish women on Instagram. Go, go, go!

Satin dress, £49.99, Zara 

BUY ZARA DRESS

Image of Finery dress

Finery Isla printed midi dress

Green has been big news this year, and it continues. Get in on the action with Finery’s statement retro floral print midi dress. 

With must-have puffy sleeves, wear with a beaded bag and strappy mules to complete the picture-perfect look. 

Printed dress, £139, Finery

BUY FINERY DRESS

Image of Ba&sh maxi dress

Ba&sh Ollie crepe maxi dress

Navy and butter yellow are the dream team. Not only that, but the shirred detail along the top of this dress is super flattering on different bust sizes. 

The maxi-dress-of-dreams is here thanks to French brand, Ba&sh. 

Maxi dress, £325, Ba&sh at Selfridges

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Green H&M dress

H&M calf-length dress

Sometimes a high street dress comes to the attention of our fashion team for looking completely high end; this is one of those occasions. 

H&M’s under £60 tiered hem beauty has all the credentials of a designer dress, just with the joyous price of a high street gem. 

Printed dress, £59.99, H&M

BUY H&M DRESS

Image of Kitri dress

Kitri Mia animal print dress

Zoo-inspired prints are continuing to be big news this year. And they’re not just for day-to-day, they also work for occasions too. 

We can see this statement yellow belted dress with chunky platform heels and a slick of clashing red lipstick for an evening guest. 

Animal print dress, £145, Kitri

BUY KITRI DRESS

Image of Lee Mathews dress

Lee Mathews Tilda striped dress

The V-style dress is perfect for layering. Add a high neck clashing colour T-shirt underneath for a chic autumnal look. 

Anything goes as a modern wedding, so why not try with sleek Western ankle boots?

Striped dress, £750, Lee Mathews available at Harvey Nichols

BUY LEE MATHEWS DRESS

Ghost wedding guest dress

Ghost Sydney dress

For a glamorous wedding opt for luxe textures and rich glossy hues – this navy velvet style ticks all the boxes.

Team the velvety number with golden accessories and take a tuxedo-style blazer with you as an extra layer for after-dark. 

Velvet dress, £245, Ghost.co.uk

BUY GHOST DRESS

Miss Selfridge dress

Miss Selfridge floral spot dress

Proof you can opt for black tones at a wedding, this mixed print floral and spot style with mesh back detail is one you’ll wear for party season too. 

Dress up with velvet platform heels and statement earrings. 

Spot and floral print midi dress, £45, Miss Selfridge

BUY MISS SELFRIDGE DRESS

Images: courtesy of brands

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