The Best Winter Wedding Guest Dresses for Cold-Weather Destinations (2024)

The best winter wedding guest dresses are packable, can be re-worn, and 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 stores like 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.

Our top picks:

Shop winter wedding guest dresses by category:

  • Winter-ready long-sleeve dresses
  • Elegant sleeveless gowns
  • Short and midi dresses
  • Chic jumpsuits

If you’re looking for 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, co*cktail 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 fit easily into any garment bag and will keep you covered without sacrificing a ton of space.

The Best Winter Wedding Guest Dresses for Cold-Weather Destinations (1)

Lulus Bragging Rights maxi dress

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Vince Camuto metallic long sleeve high-low gown

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Lulus Graceful Finesse long sleeve maxi dress

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Significant Other Demi dress

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Lulus Wait For Me long sleeve maxi dress

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Lulus Love You So Burgundy long sleeve maxi dress

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Zaberry long sleeve velvet maxi dress

If you prefer a sleeveless gown

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’ve found plenty of options for every guest’s style—from satin mock neck and off-the-shoulder dresses to velvet maxis and packable silk options. All of these match well with most any winter color scheme and can be reworn for other special occasions.

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Bhldn Ruby Twist halter satin gown

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Abercrombie & Fitch Giselle pleated one-shoulder maxi dress

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Windsor Delphine satin mermaid dress

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Petal & Pup Seychelle dress

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City Chic Ripple Love off the shoulder maxi dress

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Norma Kamali x Revolve V-neck rectangle gown

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Eliza J ruffle front gown

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Lulus Regal Arrival satin halter mermaid maxi dress

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Lulus Classic Elegance satin sleeveless mock neck dress

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Lulus Beautiful Night velvet sleeveless maxi dress

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Betsy & Adam v-neck cascade ruffle gown

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Norma Kamali Diana gown

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FQA V-neck sleeveless split dress

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L'Idee Gala gown

If the dress code is a bit more casual

If the reception is a bit more casual (think semi-formal or co*cktail attire) or you prefer not to wear a long gown, opting for a midi or shorter dress is a perfectly acceptable option. Whether you’re going for a flowy, satin 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.

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Lulus How Much I Care off the shoulder midi dress

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Lulus Wrapped Up In Love satin midi dress

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Chelsea28 Asymmetric hem satin dress

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Asos Design pleated one shoulder midi dress

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BerryGo long sleeve velvet wrap dress

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Huhot velvet wrap dress

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H:ours Cristiano mini dress

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Lulus Exceptionally Flirty mini dress

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Lulus Margalo lace long-sleeve dress

If you don’t want to wear a dress

Another great style 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!

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Julia Jordan halter neck jumpsuit

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Kiska black wide-leg jumpsuit

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Btfbm crew neck ruffle cap sleeve jumpsuit

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Abercrombie & Fitch Giselle pleated jumpsuit

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Norma Kamali Rectangle Jog jumpsuit

Looking for more wedding packing list inspiration?

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The Best Winter Wedding Guest Dresses for Cold-Weather Destinations (2024)

FAQs

The Best Winter Wedding Guest Dresses for Cold-Weather Destinations? ›

Winter weddings are likely to take place indoors, so you'll want to choose an outfit that's just warm enough once you take off your coat. A dress with sleeves, a maxi dress, or even a fancy jumpsuit are great ways to dress for the occasion. Take advantage of fabrics that look stylish while keeping you warm.

What do you wear to a winter destination wedding? ›

Winter weddings are likely to take place indoors, so you'll want to choose an outfit that's just warm enough once you take off your coat. A dress with sleeves, a maxi dress, or even a fancy jumpsuit are great ways to dress for the occasion. Take advantage of fabrics that look stylish while keeping you warm.

What should a 50 year old woman wear to a winter wedding? ›

My favorite dress types for women over 50 are fit and flare and A-line silhouettes. These two styles are flattering for so many body types. They have a defined waistline and are very forgiving as they take attention away from the midsection and camouflage wider hips and thighs.

What do you wear to a cold beach wedding? ›

Opt for dresses or suits made from heavier fabrics such as velvet or wool to provide warmth in cooler temperatures. Consider long sleeves or layers for added insulation. For a wedding in Florida or other warmer coastal locations, you can still embrace the winter theme with lighter fabrics in deeper colors.

What should a guest wear to an outdoor winter wedding? ›

We recommend wearing your most stylish coat, gloves, hat and scarf." Alicia Fritz, owner of A Day In May Events, advises sticking to a few key fabrics when sourcing these garments-namely wool. "A long tweed skirt with a cashmere sweater and a great pump make a wonderful winter wedding outfit," she says.

What do you wear to a winter wedding in Colorado? ›

Tips for Colorado Winter Weddings
  • - Give yourself more time to get places.
  • - Wool socks are a must to keep your feet warm.
  • - Wear shoes that will keep your feet dry.
  • - Dress in layers.
  • - Have a jacket that can cut the wind.
  • - Make sure to have gloves.
  • - Adding hand warmers can be a nice treat.

What not to wear to a winter wedding? ›

Consider avoiding outfit ideas that have short sleeves or are sleeveless, like a slip dress, unless you're planning to layer a jacket or sweater on top. Whether you're searching for a formal tuxedo or semi-formal suit for your winter wedding attire, Sudhakar also suggests turning to wool.

What shoes to wear to a winter wedding? ›

Closed-toe heels

No one should get cold feet on a wedding day, so keep your toes toasty in a closed-toe heel. Try a simple silhouette and a mid-height heel that'll take you from day to night, or go for a slingback style with a pointed toe for added elegance.

What to wear over a wedding dress to keep warm? ›

A Wool Coat

This garment is a classic and sophisticated choice for the colder seasons, with Brown also noting that a coat made of wool is more appropriate than a puffy jacket. (Not to mention, it will provide optimal comfort.) Be sure to look for long styles to accommodate your dress.

What should a 60 year old woman wear to a winter wedding? ›

Color and fabric are two important components when it comes to picking out winter wedding guest outfits. Deep jewel tones and rich fabrics such as satin and velvet are great choices for weddings in the cooler months. As for the length, the longer it is, the better it can help you to stay warm.

What should a woman over 60 wear to a wedding? ›

Fit-and-flare dress

One of the best options over 60 to highlight your figure is a fit-and-flare dress. This A-line style fits through the top, then flaring at the skirt, effectively accentuating your waist.

What does a 55 year old wear to a wedding? ›

co*cktail dresses generally refer to shorter dresses with a semi-formal feel (think knee-length or mini), but midi dresses or more casual maxi dresses can work too. Basically, the co*cktail dress is the midpoint between casual daytime wear and more formal evening options.

Can you wear navy to a winter wedding? ›

Accordingly, if you're a wedding guest at a winter wedding, you need to follow a certain dress code. Most men wear a tuxedo or full suit (jacket and dress pants) in darker colors, such as black, navy blue, and brown, whereas ladies don maxi dresses made of velvet or other opulent fabrics.

What do you wear to a wedding in Cancun? ›

You want to wear lightweight fabrics if the wedding is during the day. Even the late afternoon Mexico sun can feel intense. Think of breathable linen fabrics, tulle, organza, cotton, silk, chiffon, satin, twill fabrics, and bamboo cotton.

What do you wear to a beach wedding in January? ›

Even though my dress was lace, it was very lightweight. Being by the beach, you want to have movement. A jersey, chiffon or rayon is a great choice. You can also do silk if it's in a darker color.

What should a guest wear to a destination wedding? ›

A light dress shirt and tie are also appropriate for a more formal touch. Women can opt for flowy sundresses, maxi dresses, or elegant jumpsuits in breathable fabrics. Sandals or wedges are suitable footwear options for beach weddings as they allow guests to navigate the sandy terrain comfortably.

Can you wear bare legs to a winter wedding? ›

It gives your outfit the smart factor, adds elegance AND keeps you warm. I really feel the cold and simply cannot endure cold legs and feet for hours, so when it comes to winter weddings I would always try and have my legs covered.

What do you wear to an island destination wedding? ›

A tropical wedding is the perfect excuse to wear bright, bold colors. Magenta, aquamarine, and other neon hues will pop against a white-sand beach. co*cktail and casual dress codes also allow for prints, including large florals, stripes, and polka dots. For formal destination weddings, take things down a notch.

Can you wear black to a winter wedding as a guest? ›

"I have beautiful brides wearing black wedding dresses," said Anastasia Stevenson, a destination wedding planner with Coastal Creative Weddings in Tybee Island, GA. "It is perfectly acceptable and chic to wear black to evening, black tie, and winter weddings."

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