What to Wear to a Semi-Formal Fall Wedding

To us, semi-formal is generally a little more conservative and edges toward more formal evening wear.  Cocktail attire is more of a party dress code. Semi-formal also overlaps with dressy casual, but dressy casual or casual wedding attire means dressed nicely and a daytime style, like a nice daytime dress or church outfit. Semi-formal wedding guest style also includes daytime dresses; however, dressy casual or casual wedding attire is still a step below semi-formal. We go into more detail about casual wedding guest dresses in general and specific  casual fall wedding guest style here. 

Usually, semi-formal attire is most appropriate for late-afternoon and evening weddings, with a late-afternoon ceremony and a reception that begins between 4 and 6 p.m.

Semi-formal fall attire just means it's time to bring out some fantastic fall colors and to choose warmer fabrics and perhaps longer sleeves!

More Semi-Formal Dress Code Details

For those of you who want more specifics - we like to be specific here -- generally, the semi-formal designation means women should wear a festive at- or below-the-knee or cocktail-length dress in a dressy fabric with some sparkly accessories; or a dressy top and dressy skirt in a special occasion fabric; or a dressy maxi dress (i.e., not a sundress like cotton or cotton jersey), with slightly more relaxed accessories.

Ideally, semi-formal balances dressy casual and formal. For female guests, knee-length or midi dresses are ideal for semi-formal. There's also the option of a dressy jumpsuit, so if you want to wear that, then please do!  A breezy unstructured maxi dress also works well for semi-formal. Usually, a loose floral print or maxi dress with sleeves that still works for daytime is designated as semi-formal style. 

If you choose a long, structured maxi dress with very formal accessories, the style is probably more formal, though not quite black-tie. You may want to consider whether a long gown is too formal for your event, but usually it's fine, since it's better to be overdressed than underdressed, and maxi dresses are a less formal style of long dress than a structured formal dress or a true evening gown.  If you prefer a more formal style or your event is black-tie optional, check out these formal dresses for fall weddings. 

For male guests, we recommend a darker suit (dark blue, navy, and charcoal are good choices), a nice shirt, and a tie. If you think the wedding may be more casual than semi-formal, you may be in good company if you wear a sports coat, suit, dress pants, and tie. And don't forget nice shoes for everybody, of course!

What Should One Consider When Choosing What to Wear to a Fall Wedding?

The wedding location, venue type, weather, time of day, your personal style, the couple's formality, and the overall wedding style are all factors in what kind of semi-formal attire you choose.  Semi-formal is usually the middle of the road and a safe standard to assume for any wedding where a dress code hasn't been indicated. We see a lot of hotel and indoor wedding receptions, and church wedding ceremonies that usually call for semi-formal fall attire.

Style Considerations and Accessories for Fall Weddings

Fall dressing, in general, can be tricky: some days it's eighty degrees, and others it's fifty.  If you have a wedding in early fall in a climate that is still warm,  feel free to wear a summer-weight dress, but perhaps one in a more fall-ish or transitional color palette.  

As you head throughout the fall season, you'll likely want warmer, more substantial fabrics like satin, lace, jacquard, and maybe even some tasteful sequins and beading.

Outdoor Semi-Formal Fall Weddings

We love long-sleeved dresses in a semi-formal style for outdoor weddings in the autumn season. If it's extra chilly, you can always bring a cover-up or wrap, dressy sweater, or jacket to wear. Footwear is important too. For a semi-formal wedding, high heels are usually the standard for most women.

If the wedding is outside, and you want to wear heels, you may want to get either some block heels (we love the Yaro by Steve Madden or Katie + Kelly Hailee at DSW) or some Solemates High Heelers. They allow you to wear your regular high heels and walk on grass in them. They give a little stability and traction on the dance floor, too.

More Ideas for Autumn Wedding Guests

We hope this has given you some dress ideas to take you in style to weddings from September into November. And if you're planning a semi-formal fall wedding and want to give your guests the hint that this is the sort of thing you'd like them to wear, link to this page on your wedding website as an example, and they'll show up looking lovely!

See more fall wedding guest dress ideas on our ShopMy page.

What to Wear to a Formal Autumn Wedding

What to Wear to a Dressy Casual Fall Wedding

Fall Maxi Dresses for Wedding Guests

or get ready for the next season and shop Winter Wedding Guest Dresses 

Past Features

Image credits and shopping sources: 1. Green Satin Sleeveless Mock Neck Maxi Dress from Lulus  2. Nadia One Shoulder Maxi Dress in Bronze from Petal + Pup 3. Marissa Halter Neck Dress from Astr the Label 4. Navy Blue Ruffled Tiered Midi Dress from Lulus

This collage was part of our original 2014 article, and all of the dresses are now out of stock. We keep this graphic and the shopping sources here for the continuity of these product details.

Shopping sources use affiliate links.

Top row: 1.One shoulder lace dress in Berryby Tadashi Shoji at Nordstrom 2. Green lace 3/4 sleeve dress Estella dress by Tracey Reese  3. Sun Goddess Sheath by Vera Wang at Rent the Runway  4. Navy lace fit and flare with V neck by Marina at Nordstrom

Bottom Row: 1.  Black and Yellow Dotted Illusion Dress  by Eliza J at Nordstrom  2. Lace Metallic Dress by Tadashi Shoji at Nordstrom 3. Black and Berry Dress by Aidan Mattox at Saks 4. Never Let You Go Sheath by ML Monique Lhuillier at Rent the Runway