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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:
- For the black-tie wedding: Norma Kamali x Revolve V-neck rectangle gown
- For the traditional wedding: Betsy & Adam V-neck cascade ruffle gown
- For the semi-formal wedding: Lulus Margalo lace long-sleeve dress
- For the wedding next week: Zaberry long-sleeve velvet dress
- For any wedding: Norma Kamali Diana gown
Shop winter wedding guest dresses by category:
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, cocktail 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.
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.
If the dress code is a bit more casual
If the reception is a bit more casual (think semi-formal or cocktail 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.
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!
