What should I wear to a New Year's Eve wedding?

While it's more than appropriate to wear something simple and classic to a New Year's Eve wedding, if you really want to embrace the theme (while still adhering to the dress code, of course), go bold with a sequin-embellished dress or opt for a gown in shimmering metallic like gold and silver.

What is festive attire?

Festive attire is typically a combination of dressy cocktail attire with hint of holiday flair. This means guests should opt for outfits in bold colors with fun details like sequin or bead embellishments.

What accessories can I wear with my New Year's Eve wedding guest outfit?

Depending on your personal style, you can either go for a statement-making look with bold and embellished jewelry or you can opt for a simple yet festive look by pairing your ensemble with clean and modern metallic accessories.

The 10 Best New Year's Eve Wedding Guest Dresses of 2023

sequin embellished dress — Courtesy of BHLDN

Few occasions call for all-out glamour, but the number one on our list is, without a doubt, a New Year's Eve wedding. As a guest, this is your red-carpet moment — an occasion to pull out all the stops. Sure, under normal circumstances, you wouldn't want to steal attention from the couple of honor. But on January 31, it's safe to assume the soon-to-be-wed selected the date for the increased merriment, making a dialed-up dress more than appropriate.

When deciding upon a New Year's Eve wedding guest dress, color, and style are big considerations. Dazzling numbers are indeed encouraged — think metallic hues, sequin-decked designs, and luxe fabrics with sheen. Jewel tones, vibrant colors, playful prints, and muted shades work, too — you'll look party-perfect in a shimmering slate, gleaming indigo, or sparkling sandstone.

Read on for the best New Year's Eve wedding guest dresses to usher in the new year and the newlyweds in style.

Our Top Picks

For a Black-Tie Wedding:

Lulus Sequin Lace-Up Maxi Dress at Lulus

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Best Metallic:

Sabina Musayev Metallic Dress at Revolve

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Most Fun:

Rixo Sequined Crepe Mini Dress at Net-a-Porter

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Best Unique Fabric:

Retrofête Doss Dress at Revolve

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Best One-Shoulder:

Amsale Draped Bodice Gown at Amsale.com

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Best Silver Sequin:

& Other Stories Fitted Sequin Mini Dress at Stories.com

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Best Long-Sleeve:

Mac Duggal Beaded Long Sleeve Gown at Nordstrom

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Best Short-Sleeve:

Alex Evenings Embellished Lace A-Line Gown at Nordstrom

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Best Halter:

Sachin & Babi Kayla Gown at Nordstrom

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Best Statement:

Betsy & Adam Jasmine Mesh Corset Gown at Amazon

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Lulus

View On Lulus

For the ultimate black-tie wedding look, you can't go wrong with this show-stopping sequin gown. Its floor-length silhouette is perfect for a formal affair while the lace-up back and thigh-high slit add some sexiness to your shimmering look.

Price at time of publish: $109

Size Range: XS–XL | Material: Polyester, spandex | Length: Floor

Revolve

View On Revolve

This fun fringe dress is exactly what you need to take you from the reception to the dance floor, to the afterparty. Style with black pumps to complement the black shoulder bows.

Price at time of publish: $490

Size Range: XS–XL | Material: Polyester | Length: Ankle

Courtesy of Net-a-Porter

View On Net-a-Porter View On Saks Fifth Avenue

If the dress code calls for festive attire, this sequin mini is a no-brainer. Inspired by '60s styles, this hot pink number is for the bold and daring. Wear your hair up to showcase the open back finished with soft velvet ties.

Price at time of publish: $445

Size Range: XXS–XL | Material: Polyester | Length: Mini

Revolve

View On Revolve View On Farfetch.com View On Retrofete.com

Metallic fabrics are spot-on for New Year's Eve and more distinctive is a dress crafted from a shimmering fabric like lamé. The pin-thin spaghetti straps will beautifully enhance your neckline with a side split on the skirt for added allure.

Price at time of publish: $595

Size Range: XXS–XL | Material: Polyester, spandex | Length: Floor

Courtesy of Amsale

View On Amsale.com

This fluid satin dress is stunning for a black-tie wedding, featuring an off-one-shoulder silhouette and bias column skirt. The pale green sheen is plenty festive with a pared-back design to suit minimalist tastes.

Price at time of publish: $495

Size Range: 00–28 | Material: Satin | Length: Floor

Courtesy of & Other Stories

View On Stories.com

If you're stuck on what to wear to a New Year's Eve wedding, a safe bet will always be a sequin embellished dress. Wear yours with a bright lip and shoulder-grazing earrings.

Price at time of publish: $179

Size Range: XS–L | Material: Polyamide, spandex | Length: Mini

View On Nordstrom View On Macduggal.com

New Year's Eve is a winter holiday, and if the wedding is held in a colder climate, you might consider wearing a long-sleeve dress. We love this one from Mac Duggal, with its flowy, windswept silhouette and twinkling beaded detailing.

Price at time of publish: $598

Size Range: 4–24 | Material: Polyester | Length: Floor

Courtesy of Alex Evenings.

View On Nordstrom View On Alexevenings.com View On Drapers.com

If you don't want to go sleeveless but don't want to wear long sleeves, either (or just want to be able to wear a bra), this short-sleeve number from Alex Evenings has your name on it. With a classic cut and scattered sequins among soutache rosettes, this floor-length dress is everything we love about winter formalwear.

Price at time of publish: $269

Size Range: 6–18 | Material: Nylon, rayon, polyester | Length: Floor

View On Nordstrom View On Lyst.com View On Sachinandbabi.com

Want to show off some shoulder? This gown flatters the upper body with a sleek halter-style top while the simple flowy skirt kisses the floor. Available in black, green, cobalt, and rose, the smooth fabric has a subtle sheen, and the satin sash adds a perfect finishing touch.

Price at time of publish: $285

Size Range: 0–22 | Material: Polyester | Length: Floor

View On Amazon View On Betsyandadam.com

If you want to make a statement, this layered mesh gown might be just the thing. Available in hot pink, cherry red, blush, black, and navy, the flirty style and twirl-worthy skirt are sure to turn heads.

Price at time of publish: $309

Size Range: 0–12 | Material: Mesh | Length: Floor

What to Look For in a New Year's Eve Wedding Guest Dress

A New Year's Eve wedding is the perfect occasion to dress up in something fun and statement-making—especially if the invitation calls for festive attire. If you're looking to make a bold entrance, go for a floor-length gown in all-over shimmering sequins (like the Lulus Evenings of Elegance Sequin Lace-Up Maxi Dress) or a sparkling mini dress (like the Rixo Lara Sequin Cocktail Dress) that transitions seamlessly from the ceremony to the after party.

More of a minimalist? You can never go wrong with a simple LBD. Consider something like the Sachin & Babi Kayla Halter Gown that can easily be dressed up with festive accessories like statement-making earrings or dazzling metallic shoes.

It depends on where the wedding is held, but since New Year Eve is a winter holiday, you might look for a long-sleeve dress, such as the Mac Duggal Beaded Long Sleeve Gown. You could also do a mini dress with long sleeves, like the & Other Stories Fitted Sequin Mini Dress.

FAQ

What should I wear to a New Year's Eve wedding?

While it's more than appropriate to wear something simple and classic to a New Year's Eve wedding, if you really want to embrace the theme (while still adhering to the dress code, of course), go bold with a sequin-embellished dress or opt for a gown in shimmering metallic like gold and silver.
What is festive attire?

Festive attire is typically a combination of dressy cocktail attire with hint of holiday flair. This means guests should opt for outfits in bold colors with fun details like sequin or bead embellishments.
What accessories can I wear with my New Year's Eve wedding guest outfit?

Depending on your personal style, you can either go for a statement-making look with bold and embellished jewelry or you can opt for a simple yet festive look by pairing your ensemble with clean and modern metallic accessories.

Why Trust Brides

Contributing writer Laura Lajiness covers fashion, accessories, and fine jewelry. Her work can be seen across various outlets, including ELLE, InStyle, Glamour, Refinery 29, The Zoe Report, Popsugar, Well+Good, and Barneys New York, among other titles and brands.

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