Your Guide To Being The Best-Dressed At A Winter Wedding

There's something so magical about winter weddings. Between the elegant snowfall, dark evening skies, and holiday cheer, winter is an ideal season to have a beautiful, romantic wedding. Plus, winter wedding dresses are typically super classy and timeless, with long sleeves, long lengths, and intricate details, such as embroidery and lace, as seen on Instagram. The white gown is a lovely match to the chilly or snowy atmosphere, too. But what should you wear if you're not a winter bride but a winter wedding guest?

Of course, you should always consider the dress code — if there is one — when attending any wedding at any time of the year. For instance, if there's a black-tie requirement, there should only be long gowns, suits, tuxes, and elegant accessories (via Brides). And if you have any questions regarding the outfit guidelines, you shouldn't hesitate to talk to the bride or groom. Once you understand the dress code, you should start thinking about what you want to wear and get shopping.

Whoever believes that women can only wear dresses at weddings is wrong — unless the bride has a rule about it, since it's her day. But if the wedding you'll be attending has no restrictions against jumpsuits, you should consider wearing one. According to Woman & Home, jumpsuits can flatter your figure and don't require much styling, so these garments are stylish and convenient for winter weddings.

Anyone searching for a wintery, elegant jumpsuit to wear to a wedding should check out the Classy Charisma Emerald Green Jacquard Long Sleeve Jumpsuit, available for just below $75 at Lulus. The wrap fit, somewhat puffy sleeves, festive bow detail at the waist, and dark green color make it perfect for a winter wedding. One happy reviewer gave the product a perfect five-star rating writing, "This jumpsuit is amazing! I got so many compliments when wearing it. The fit is great and the material is pretty thick with a lining so you can wear it in cooler weather."

Another option is the Effortless Elegance Long Sleeve Jumpsuit, available at Windsor for about $40. It is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a sleek black jumpsuit with a sweetheart neckline and long, dramatic sleeves. Plus, the product has five out of five stars.

While jumpsuits are super fun, some people still prefer wearing dresses, which are always great for weddings. Of course, the type of dress you should buy depends on the wedding's dress code and venue, but there will always be a lot of options, as women traditionally wear dresses to weddings. For instance, if you're going to a fancy winter wedding, you should look into the Eliza J Long Sleeve V Neck Gown, selling for around $180 at Bloomingdale's. Featuring a wintery rich green hue and a subtle zipper at the back, this elegant, long gown is made of polyester with a hint of spandex and has 4.3 stars.

The Lauren Ralph Lauren Women's Ruffle-Trim Jersey Gown is another option. The classy black gown with long sleeves sells for $224 at Macy's. It features a flattering A-line shape with sophisticated ruffles, a V-neckline, glamorous chain detail on one side of the waist, and a subtle yet sexy slit. This dress has five out of five stars. 

If the dress code isn't too ultra-fancy, consider the Wondrous Water Lilies Royal Blue Maxi Dress, available for $55 at Lulus. The maxi dress has somewhat sheer sleeves, a V-neckline, a bold blue hue, and a daring slit. And made of polyester, the garment has over four stars with more than 1,800 reviews, with one reviewer writing, "This dress is great for a winter wedding!"

We can't think of a better fabric to wear to a winter wedding than velvet, as the material looks gorgeous and feels warm. Providing a lavish appearance with some shine, velvet is soft and smooth, making it a well-liked option for fancy, non-everyday events, per MasterClass. So, there's no better place to wear this lovely fabric than to an elegant winter wedding.

The XSCAPE Off the Shoulder Long Sleeve Gown has an ultra-dark, rich maroon color that screams fall or winter. The velvety gown is made of mainly polyester with a touch of spandex and sells for about $180 at Nordstrom. While the monochromatic garment hangs on the body in a sophisticated way, the off-the-shoulder detail and subtle slit at the back of the dress add more personality to the classy item. 

As mentioned above, jumpsuits are an excellent alternative to dresses for people who plan to attend winter weddings. The Adrianna Papell Women's Velvet Tuxedo Jumpsuit sells for about $190 at Macy's and has a black, velvety look. Furthermore, this jumpsuit features a flattering high waist, long sleeves, and trendy wide legs. 

Wearing a shimmery dress with sparkles or sequins is an excellent way to make an entrance at a fancy nighttime winter wedding (via TheTrendSpotter). A sparkling look will look enchanting on any winter night, even more so if the wedding is near New Year's Eve. For example, the Eliza J Sequined Wrap Gown sells for around $270 at Bloomingdale's. Fully covered in sequins, this gown is made of polyester and spandex and features long sleeves, a V-neckline, a belted waist, and a sexy slit. Reviewers have rated it 4.4 out of five stars.

Anyone looking for an edgier option should check out the Teri Jon by Rickie Freeman Sequined Bell-Sleeve Gown. Available for $480 at Saks Fifth Avenue, this dramatic gown is made of polyester, features a long, straight shape, has many shiny sequins, and flaunts elaborate long sleeves that flare out at the wrists. Not only does the gown exude a striking Morticia Addams vibe, but buyers rate it 4.5 stars.

If you are someone who prefers asymmetrical garments, consider the XSCAPE Sequined One-Shoulder Gown, available for just under $280 at Macy's. This unique, sparkly long dress has one long sleeve and is sleeveless on the other side for a dauntless fashion statement. Made of nylon, spandex, and polyester, the gown also features a slit and has 4.5 stars.

We've all made the rookie mistake of wearing a warm, long-sleeved top under our jackets to a nightclub on a chilly winter night, only to get too hot and feel uncomfortable while dancing in the heavy clothes meant to keep us warm. Don't make that same mistake if you know there will be a lot of dancing at a winter wedding. While long-sleeved dresses and gowns are traditional for winter weddings, if you think the wedding you'll be attending will be more of a party scene, you'd be better off wearing a lighter gown or a dress with shorter sleeves and a jacket or coat. Layers are crucial for wedding guests, according to The Aisle Guide.

A stylish way to layer up is to wear a minimalistic, elegant black dress under a bold coat or jacket for dimension so you'll look stunning without being too over the top. For instance, the Melora Black Sleeveless Maxi Dress sells for around $100 at Lulus. Featuring a V-neckline, relatively thin straps, and a floor-length shape, this sleek dress is made of mostly polyester with a touch of spandex and will prevent you from overheating while you dance the night away. The garment has between four and five stars with more than 1,800 reviews. For contrast, consider wearing the Light Beige Single-breasted Faux-fur Jacket over the dress to keep warm when you're not dancing. This glamorous H&M jacket has 4.9 stars.

Finally, no wedding guest's ensemble is complete without the right pair of shoes. We wouldn't recommend wearing sandals or open-toe heels to a winter wedding, because shoes like that might make you feel too cold and uncomfortable, but there are plenty of other choices. To start, pointed-toe pumps are having a triumphant fashion comeback, and you can't go wrong with a pair of classic black heels when attending a wedding. The Schutz Lou Pointed Toe Pump Women is available at Nordstrom for $118. Made in Brazil, it features a four-inch heel, a classic black hue, and a trendy pointed toe. These classy heels are rated four stars, and they're appropriate for a variety of events and occasions.

And while heels are always a solid footwear choice for weddings, boots are a fun option if the dress code allows them. As mentioned earlier, sparkles are ideal for winter weddings, so consider the INC International Concepts Women's Reisa Dress Booties, available at Macy's. These sparkly ankle boots feature a stiletto heel, making them appropriate to wear with a long dress or gown. They have 4.5 stars, and because they're so chic and shiny, they'll instantly elevate a more minimalistic garment.