The 20 Best Dresses to Wear to a Winter Wedding as a Guest

Winter weddings are the ultimate occasion for expressing style in formal wear that will also keep one warm and festive. Finding the ideal outfit, both stylish and functional, is a challenging task for a guest when attending a wedding during winter. This all-inclusive guide will take you through the world of winter wedding guest attire, presenting you with 40 gorgeous dress options and really helpful tips that will guarantee you look amazing while rejoicing in love on the colder months.

In this article:

• Winter Wedding Guest Dresses: What to Look For

Winter Wedding Guest Dresses: What to Look For

Choosing a dress for the winter season of weddings, consider the following aspects:

1. Fabric: opt for heavier, warmer fabrics like velvet, brocade, wool, or heavy silk. Besides keeping you warm, it will be one more addition to make you look posh in your outfit.
2. Length: For a winter wedding, longer is usually better. That way, you can receive both style and practicality from midi or maxi lengths.
3. Color: While dark, rich hues are traditional for winter, don't be afraid to pop in some jewel tones or metallics to add festiveness.
4. Sleeves: Long-sleeved or three-quarter sleeve dresses are perfect for weddings in winter because they add much-needed warmth while offering elegance.
5. Layering potential: Wear a dress in which layering with a coat, wrap, or shawl is relatively easy.
6. Embellishments: Winter is the time to wear sequined, beaded, or elaborately embroidered dresses to add that extra bit of glamour.
7. Neckline: The higher necks or turtlenecks will go far in keeping you warm without sacrificing style.
8. Silhouette: A-line, sheath, or wrap dresses are all good options for weddings in this season because they offer both comfort and sophistication.

The Best Winter Wedding Guest Dresses

1. Velvet Dreams

Emerald Elegance

Smolder in this sumptuous emerald velvet midi. This style will flatter any body type, so you'll want to wear it to everything from an intimate winter wedding to a black-tie affair.

Bordeaux Beauty

This wine red velvet dress will keep you warm as winter. Deep and rich, the color is like fine wine. Toast the happy couple with this toast of a dress. Universally flattering style; Velvet fabric adds a touch of luxury.

Lulus I'm Enchanted dress in Burgundy, $69

Plum Perfection

Go glam in this plum velvet gown. The saturated, dark shade is pure winter, while a v-neckline brings sultry charm. Velvet, of course, gives the style a lavish look and also totes warmth for cooler nuptials.

Ever-Pretty UK Double V Neck velvet dress in Plum, £57.99

2. Silk Sensations

Forest Enchantress

Wrap yourself in the finer things with this forest green silk dress. A luxurious jewel tone for winter festivities, this style smooths out any lumps and bumps on all body types. The silk fabric flows like liquid and takes on an ethereal glow as you dance across the room.

Reformation Anaiis Silk Dress in Forest, $398

Tan Radiance

Command attention in this tan silk slip dress. This color is perfect to make a statement at winter weddings, while the dress is easily paired with a coat or shawl.

Nordstorm Tan Silk Asymmetric Slipdress, $670

3. All That Glitters

Midnight Sparkle

Channel your inner starry night in this floor-length navy sequin gown. The all-over sequins catch the light beautifully, ensuring you'll shimmer with every step. Classic silhouette meets modern sparkle in this black-tie winter wedding perfect dress.

Nordstorm sequin gown in Navy, $288

Champagne Cascade

Toast to the happy couple in this champagne sequin sheath dress. Allover sequins shimmer like the bubbles in a flute of champagne. The neutral tone works for any winter wedding theme, while the formfitting silhouette makes it decidedly glamorous.

Adrianna Papell plus size scoop back sequin gown in Champagne, $310

4. Metallic Magic

Golden Hour

Shine bright in this gold brocade A-line dress. Fitted and an opulent fabric choice, this piece stands out from the rest for winter weddings. Metallic sheen captures the warmth of candlelight for those cozy winter celebrations.

Ever-Pretty UK Gold midi dress, £62.99

Copper Waterfall

Shine and sparkle in this copper metallic pleated maxi dress. The warm metallic shade is ideal for winter weddings: festive without being over-the-top. And the best part? The pleated material provides a stunning swish with every step and swirl across the dance floor.

Lulus ronze Metallic Lurex Cutout Maxi Dress, $88

5. Sumptuous and Regal

Burgundy Bliss

Wrap yourself up in warmth and style in this burgundy dress. The deep, rich color is just right for winter celebrations, while the long sleeve and ruffled hemline promises comfort and flattery in equal measure. The midi length keeps it versatile for all manner of dress codes.

Ever-Pretty Ruby midi dress, £54.99

Emerald Allure

If this emerald, v-neck number doesn't scream royalty, I don't know what does. The rich jewel tone is ideal for winter parties, while the c-neck adds a nice modern touch. The floor-length cut promises a dramatic entrance in any winter wedding.

Anthropologie Deep-V Stretch Velvet Maxi Dress, $248

6. Lace Luxe

Timeless elegance meets winter sophistication in this navy lace long-sleeve dress. The lace pattern offers a lot of depth and texture, while the sleeves add warmth without sacrificing style. This is a perfect choice for the one who loves classic beauty touched with romance.

Ever-Pretty UK Lace midi dress in Navy, £56.99

Let the magic of winter seduce you in this lace long sleeve gown. Lightweight lace patterns composed in intricate frost-like patterns accompany a long sleeve and high neckline for added warmth and poise. The perfect dress for the guest that wants to channel winter's pristine beauty.

Petalandpup Long Sleeve Lace Gown in Navy, $119

7. Textural Delights

Midnight Constellation

Shine bright like the winter night sky in this navy brocade. The intricate starlike pattern recalls a starry night, and hence the evening celebration fittingly. The structured silhouette is sleek and sophisticated; sheer fabric accents add festivity.

Erdem Antonetta metallic floral-jacquard midi dress, $2,895, Matches Fashion

Flower Fantasy

Bloom this winter in this textured floral dress. Floral details bring a depth and interest to this dark rose hue. Ideal for those who want to make a unique and memorable statement.

Petalandpup Anabelle Halter Neck Midi Dress, $89

8. Sleek and Chic

Channel liquid elegance in this rust satin dress. The slinky silhouette, along with the lustrous fabric, fashions a look that is as sensual as it is sophisticated. The rich rust color is just right for winter.

Next Satin drape dress in Rust, £158

Feel ultra on-trend in this blue off-the-shoulder midi dress. A classic-cut dress is given a modern spin with an off-shoulder neckline-the perfect timelessness meets fashion-forward marriage. The midi length will work for the majority of wedding scenarios.

Abercrombie Off-the-shoulder midi dress in French Blue, $91

9. Moody Blooms

Twilight Garden

Add a touch of nature's splendour to a winter wedding in this dark floral maxi dress. The moody floral print plays on a dark background and is just right for the season, offering up a romantic yet mysterious feel. Long sleeves and a full maxi length will keep you warm while the fitted bodice and full skirt create a flattering silhouette.

Abercrombie Drama Ruffle Tiered Maxi Dress, $90

Enter the lacy, delicate beauty of winter in this pale blue dress with silver floral embroidery. Light blue in hue, the base evokes winter skies, while the silver threading mimics the sparkle of frost. Ideal for one who wishes to capture the essence of flowers and that cold, crisp beauty of winter.

Coast Square Neck Midi Dress In Jacquard, £44

10. Statement Makers

Delicate tiered skirt combined with flowing fabric makes for an ethereal look perfect for the formal winter wedding. Long sleeves provide coverage; sheer details add allure.

Lulus Long Sleeve Tiered Maxi Dress, $98

Make an entrance in this purple one-shoulder dress. The full skirt and sleek one-shoulder neckline create a dramatic silhouette fit for any winter wonderland. 

Hellomolly One-shoulder satin gown in Lilac, $99

These 20 dress picks run the gamut from sumptuous fabrics and metallics to jewel tones and modern minimalism in a trend-setting winter wedding guest option. Each celebrates in style while staying seasonally appropriate.

Where to Buy Winter Wedding Guest Dresses?

On the hunt for the ultimate winter wedding guest dress, here are a few retailers to consider:

1. Department Stores: Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Macy's carry a wide array of options in various budgets.
2. Online Retailers: ASOS, Net-a-Porter, Ever-Pretty UK and Revolve have an expansive selection for winter wedding guest dresses.
3. Rental Services: You could consider Rent the Runway and Nuuly for designer options at a fraction of the cost.
4. Boutique Brands: Self Portrait, Reformation, and Needle & Thread are all great companies specializing in beautiful dresses just right for wedding guests.
5. High-End Designers: If you're going all out, Zimmermann, Monique Lhuillier, and Elie Saab are designers worth looking into.
6. Secondhand and Vintage: You will get great deals on pre-owned designer dresses with decent price cuts at TheRealReal and Vestiaire Collective.