What to Wear to a Wedding

Wedding Guest Dressing

Sadly, this season’s weddings have mostly been scaled way back due to the pandemic requiring a limited number of people in a given space. Mr. FTF and I haven’t attended a wedding in quit a few years. This fall we were suppose to attend two weddings – one in September and one in October. My niece got married in September in Oklahoma.

Our friends daughter is getting married in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in a couple of weeks. We were looking forward to attending both and getting away for long weekends. Sadly, that didn’t happen. I’m hoping to get to celebrate with both couples next year!

What to Wear to a Wedding

If you’re lucky enough to be able to attend a wedding this year, there are fewer and fewer fashion rules because couples are just more progressive than they used to be. Some brides are passing up traditional gowns for elegant pants, the occasional groom is skipping the typical black tux for a pastel suit, and even bridesmaids are ditching the cookie-cutter dresses for something they can wear over and over again. You know what that means? Guests also have just as much freedom with their styles. I do recommend you gage what you wear based on the venue of the wedding. If it’s an outdoor wedding on a farm, casual is more appropriate compared to a wedding held in a villa or mansion. In my opinion, it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed…fancier equals better!

Wedding Guest Look One

This dress was initially purchased simply because I feel in love with it. I was on a Board of Directors for a boy’s home in Chicago. We had annual fundraisers downtown Chicago requiring me to be dressed up. This dress fit the bill. That was the only time I wore this dress and thought for sure I would pull it out and wear it to one of the weddings this fall. The ruching is very figure flattering. The top has a built in bra. Besides the dress being beautiful, it’s very comfortable. It came with the rhinestone pin making it easy to pair with some rhinestone earrings and bracelet. The bag is actually my mom’s from the 1950’s. The box is actually made of glass with metal detail surrounding the glass, marble on the top and an acrylic hand. Gray satin sandals with rhinestone embellishments complete wedding guest look one!

SHOP BARE SHOULDER DRESSES

Wedding Guest Look Two

Recently, a good friend I work with gifted me two black dresses that no longer fit her. They’ve been hanging in my closet waiting for a reason to be pulled out and styled. This dress is embellished with rhinestones and beading. It’s figure flattering because of the wrap style. The scoop back is attractive without being too low. Since this dress is embellished, I only had to add earrings and bracelets. Pulled out my black satin pumps with rhinestone straps and beaded clutch to complete the look.

Many years ago, we went to a wedding of a friend’s daughter. At the time, fascinators were all the rage. I still have mine and decided to pull it out and added it to this look. The wedding guests that didn’t know me thought I was from England! LOL

SHOP BLACK BEADED DRESSES

Wedding Guest Look Three

This last look is also of a dress that my friend from work gifted me since it no longer fits her. The rosettes on the bodice and the tiered material makes this dress easy to style and gives this dress interest. Since it’s solid black, you could easily add a pop of color or add rhinestones, which I opted to do with both my accessories and shoes. This dress and the black dress in look number two are very comfortable. I didn’t have on any body shape wear but could have gone that route for a smoother silhouette. I think I look a little lumpy in these pictures…real life friends. I think shape wear is a whole other post. Do you have favorites?

SHOP BLACK DRESSES

SHOP RHINESTONES ACCESSORIES, CLUTCHES & PUMPS

Fellow Fashionistas Wedding Attire

EMMA (Style Splash): “I’ve had this dress for years and never had the occasion to wear it. The fabric is light but the style provides plenty of coverage, making it ideal for fall. I’ve picked out the mustard in the snake print pattern with my shoes and bag, and highlighted the purple with my jewelery.”

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestylesplash/

Blog: https://www.style-splash.com/

ADA (Elegance and Mommyhood): “This beautiful silk jacquard black+silver rose dress with the bold ruffled hemline is perfect for a Fall Wedding – if I were to attend one. The herringbone black tights bring texture, interest and warmth to this look. And that fabulous fuzzy grey clutch with all the fraying and tassels brings more depth. With the right makeup and of course some heels in addition to fun statement earrings and some sparkly bracelets, this look would definitely be an elegant option to attend a wedding this time of year. Moto jacket is optional!”

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adafurxhi/

Blog: https://eleganceandmommyhood.blogspot.com/

AMBER (Avec Amber): “2020 has certainly thrown us all a number of curveballs, with many celebrations including weddings or wedding receptions being postponed until we can safely celebrate again. This jumpsuit is a piece that I purchased last year for a girls’ trip to Napa, one that I planned to wear to one of this year’s wedding celebrations. Rest assured I will be saving it for one of those rescheduled weddings next year, and I hope that everyone stays healthy and safe during this time!”

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avecamber/

Blog: https://avecamber.blogspot.com/

DARLENE (Aquamarina Style):  “Take that basic slip dress you wore in the summer up a notch for a fall wedding or any dressy event. Adding a satin boyfriend blazer gives the dress a whole new look! Just add neutral pumps and some bling and you are ready to party!”

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aquamarinastyle/

Blog: https://aquamarinastyle.com/

BOJANA (Bo’s Bodacious Blog): “This little, moody floral dress is the perfect addition to your fall closet.  You can take it from work, to a dinner date, to a fall wedding without missing a beat.  The dress has it all, flouncy sleeves, ruffled skirt, a tie belt to define your waist and shape, as well as a deep v neckline for a little hint of sexy.  Pair it up with heels, a little sparkle, and a trusted clutch and you are wedding ready without breaking the bank.   Hop on over to the blog to see full details on how to style this dress for a night of dancing and celebrating. “Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bosbodaciousblog/

Blog: http://bosbodaciousblog.blogspot.com/

SHELBEE (Shelbee on the Edge): “I haven’t worn my favorite green kimono in a few years and have been wanting to style it as a dress. So I layered a black lace trimmed slip dress over some lacy stockings and sassy high heels and added my green kimono with a leather obi belt. Then I ditched the belt and showed off the slip dress. I chose my furry yellow bag because I love the way it played with the bright colors in the kimono. Of course, my “Love” choker is a must for any wedding outfit!”

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelbeeontheedge/ 

Blog: https://www.shelbeeontheedge.com/

LAURA (I Do deClaire): “Although most weddings are put on hold right now (thanks a lot ‘rona), this collaboration was a fun reason to dress up for a short time anyway! I’ve long said that skirts can be dressy enough for weddings and by pairing this dark floral maxi with a lace top and belting it- it almost passes for a dress!

“Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lbambrick/

Blog: http://www.idodeclaire.com/

Let’s Chat

Hopefully you’ve gotten some styling tips and ideas on what to wear to a fall wedding when we get to return to life as we once knew it! Did you have a favorite? Leave us a comment! We love to hear from you!

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16 comments

    • FTF says:

      Hi Emma,

      Thanks so much for your kind comments! I love to dress up and be extra fancy! This was a fun post to put together! Hope we can go back to attending weddings some time in the near future!

      Julie xo

      Reply
  2. Darlene says:

    Julie, all three outfits are so elegant and classy! I don’t think I could choose, but the black dress with the bling and that adorable hat would be the biggest hit!! Super fun and super classic. Love it!!

    xx Darlene

    Reply
    • FTF says:

      Hi Darlene,

      Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving such a kind comment! I do think that the black dress and fascinator are very fun! I wasn’t sure if I should wear the fascinator since it’s really not trending like it was a while back but decided why not?!

      Julie xo

      Reply
  3. Shelbee on the Edge says:

    Oh wow, Julie! All 3 dress are fabulous on you! You do not look lumpy at all. (Sorry I had to giggle at that, but you really, I don’t see any lumps on you, my friend!) And while everything here is fabulous, I do want to highlight how amazing that glass hand bag is, the one that belonged to your mom. So cool! And I am such a big fan of fascinators. I love the drama and elegance they bring to an outfit. I have a few of my own that I have worn to weddings and for wedding style posts in the past. So fun!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    Reply
    • FTF says:

      Hi Shelbee,

      I appreciate you stopping by and for not noticing my lumps…LOL! I love that glass hand bag. Did you see my post on the “romantic 60 year old purse”? Another beauty of my mom’s that deserved it’s story to be told!

      I’m so glad you like my fascinator. I was second guessing whether or not to take pictures with it on since you don’t really see many people wearing them any more. They were super trendy quit a few years ago. I decided to go for it because I love it. I think you should always wear what you love and you’ll look fabulous! I would love to see your fascinators! Loved your wedding look my friend! Looking forward to our next collaborations!

      Julie xo

      Reply
    • FTF says:

      Hi Amber,

      Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad I got the opportunity to meet you through this collaboration! Loved your wedding look! Looking forward to future collaborations!

      Julie xo

      Reply
  6. Rena says:

    Oh, to be able to attend a wedding in person. Who would have thought we’d all be pining for such things? LOL That aside, each of your dresses are lovely choices for such an occasion. I’ve had the pleasure of attending two zoom weddings recently so there was no need to dress up but I did anyway.

    Rena
    http://www.finewhateverblog.com

    Reply
    • FTF says:

      Hi Rena,

      I’m pretty sure none of us could have ever anticipated this to be occurring! I love that you still dressed up for the two Zoom weddings! I would have done the same thing! We did attend a vow renewal ceremony via zoom. The wedding we were suppose to attend this Saturday is going to zoom it for those who would like to still partake. I’m hoping we can celebrate in person a year from now when they plan to hold their 1 year anniversary reception.

      Julie xo

      Reply
  8. Ada Furxhi says:

    Julie, I am so glad I invited you to this collaboration and that you shined not in one but 3 lovely dresses. These bodycon, fitted dresses look stunning on you. Shapewear or not! You styled them with the right jewelry and shoes, too. Hope you get to wear these dresses soon and look as beautiful as you do in this post!

    I stopped by your Instagram today too. Have a great day my friend!!

    Reply
    • FTF says:

      Ada,

      Thanks so much for inviting me to participate in this wonderful collaboration! I love to be fancy and don’t need much of a reason or an excuse to get extra dressed up! Thanks for taking time to view my post and comment as well as my IG.

      Looking forward to our next collaboration!
      Julie xo

      Reply

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