Outfit guides · Wedding guests · winter

What to wear to a winter wedding

A winter wedding asks you to look dressed up and stay warm, which is a harder brief than it sounds. Here is how to read the dress code, pick fabrics and coats, choose colors that suit the season, and, if you are going as a family, dress so you look like you arrived together.

Start with the dress code on the invitation

Dress codes are the quickest guide to what to wear. Winter changes the fabrics and the layers, not the level of formality. If the invitation says black tie, go to our guide to black-tie wedding guests. This guide covers the three codes below, which are the ones most guests see.

Cocktail

Dressy but not floor-length.

• Women: a knee-length or midi dress in velvet, crepe or satin, or a dressy jumpsuit. Add tights or sheer stockings and closed or heeled boots if the venue is outdoors.
• Men: a suit in navy, charcoal or deep green, a tie, and leather shoes or polished boots.
• Kids: a dress with tights, or a collared shirt with trousers and a sweater or blazer.

Semi-formal

One step down from cocktail, and the most common.

• Women: a midi dress or a dressy skirt with a knit or a silk blouse. A long sleeve or a wrap solves the cold.
• Men: a suit or a blazer with trousers. A tie is optional, but safe. A dark knit under a jacket works in cold venues.
• Kids: smart trousers or a skirt, a nice sweater, and shoes that can handle a parking lot in the cold.

Dressy casual

Rarer, but common at relaxed or home weddings.

• Women: a nice sweater dress, or a skirt with a good knit and boots.
• Men: chinos or dark trousers, a collared shirt and a sweater or sport coat. No jeans unless the invitation says so.
• Kids: clean, neat and comfortable, in colors that fit the palette below.

When in doubt, dress one level up. Overdressed in winter looks festive; underdressed looks careless.

Fabrics and coats

The fabrics that make winter outfits look rich are also some of the warmest.

• Velvet, brocade and heavier satin look formal and hold in heat.
• Wool crepe, wool-blend suiting and tweed are the winter equivalents of lightweight summer suiting.
• Knits and cashmere-style sweaters work under a blazer or as part of a dressy-casual look.
• Sleeves. Long or three-quarter sleeves feel natural in winter. A sleeveless dress can work with a wrap or a faux-fur stole.
• Coats count as part of the outfit. You will wear it at arrival, in photos outside and on the way out. A long wool coat in black, navy, camel or charcoal goes with almost everything. Avoid bulky sports jackets with a formal outfit.
• Shoes. Choose boots or closed shoes with grip. Snow, ice and wet grass defeat thin heels. Carry dress shoes in a bag if you need to.
• Accessories. A scarf, gloves and a small clutch that fits inside a coat pocket. Many venues have a coat check; ask if you are not sure.

Winter guest colors

Winter weddings lean toward deep, rich colors. These palettes are all guest-friendly.

Black is fine for guests at a winter wedding unless the invitation says otherwise, particularly in the evening. Add a color through a scarf, jewelry or a tie so it does not feel somber.

What to avoid

• White, ivory and cream. Leave them for the couple. Even a cream sweater can read as bridal wear in photos, so save winter whites for another occasion.
• Matching the wedding party. If you know the bridesmaids will wear a particular color, such as burgundy or emerald, choose a different shade or a different color family. See our guide to bridesmaids in coordinated colors for how those palettes are planned. If you are the mother of the bride or groom, the mother of the bride and groom guide covers how to sit next to the party without clashing.
• Loud sequins all over. One sparkling piece is festive. Head-to-toe is a lot.
• Very casual winter wear. Puffer vests and sneakers are for the walk to the venue, not for the ceremony.

Holiday-season and outdoor weddings

December weddings often fall close to holidays, so festive touches work: a velvet jacket, a sparkly clip, a deep red lipstick. Keep Santa-style red and green novelty items out of it unless the couple has made it a theme.

Outdoor ceremonies. Ask whether the ceremony is outside and for how long. If yes, wear thermal layers under your outfit, a long coat, and warm socks or tights. Check if the venue has heaters or blankets, and bring your own if you are unsure. A hat and gloves are fine and nobody will mind.

Travel. Weddings in winter can mean snow, delays and cold cars. Pack the outfit in a garment bag, bring a backup layer, and allow extra time on the road.

Going as a family: arrive looking like you belong together

Families of guests look best when they look coordinated, not matched. A little planning goes a long way.

1. Pick one palette for the family. Choose two main colors and one neutral from the palettes above. Example: Navy and Burgundy with Champagne.
2. Give each person a role. The adults can anchor with the deeper tones; teens and kids can carry the lighter or accent colors. Nobody has to wear the same item.
3. Match formality, not outfits. If one adult is in a suit, the other should be in something equally dressy. Kids can be one step more casual, but not scruffy.
4. Think about the photos. Guest photos often get taken. Coordinated outfits look good against snow or a dark interior.
5. Get the sizes sorted early. Winter dress shopping takes longer than you expect when you are dressing four or five people. Keep sizes in one note so you are not hunting for them at the last minute.
6. Compare with the other guests. If you are in a large extended family, ask who is wearing what. It is easier to avoid three people in the same color when you ask first. For ideas on children, see the flower girls and ring bearers guide, and for a general approach to palettes, see our family photo outfits guide.

If you also have holiday photos to plan this season, our holiday family photo outfits guide is a good companion.

What to shop for

• A dress, jumpsuit or suit in a winter fabric
• Dressy knits, blouses and shirts
• Tights, stockings and warm layers
• A wool coat, scarf and gloves
• Boots or closed dress shoes
• Kids’ dresses, blazers and dressy sweaters

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