What To Wear To A Festive Christmas Wedding

There are some gorgeous winter wedding gowns out there, but what should you wear if you're not the bride? A white dress is out, of course, but deciding what to wear to a Christmas wedding doesn't have to be difficult. In fact, it can be more fun than choosing a dress for traditional spring and summer nuptials.

The most challenging part of picking a wedding guest dress for a ceremony around Christmas is finding one that's festive, but not overly so. It's still a wedding, after all, so looking classy and sophisticated is key. But you do still get more of an opportunity to have fun with your outfit and embrace the yuletide spirit.

Another bonus to dressing for a Christmas season wedding? You can repurpose the dress right away at a holiday party or even a New Year's Eve fête, and if you're a bridesmaid, the whole "shorten it and wear it again" thing might actually work for a Christmas cocktail hour. It can be a little more challenging to re-wear a dress right after a summer celebration.

Here are 13 dresses to consider wearing to a Christmas wedding. "Eat, drink, and be merry" has never applied more.

Sweet Bow

Soprano Bow Back Fit And Flare Dress, $58, nordstrom.com

This dress features a low back and a holiday-perfect bow. As they say, (beautiful) business in the front, party in the back.

Gold Jacquard

Chi Chi London Plus Gold Jacquard Midi Bandeau Dress, $117, asos.com

The lovely black floral pattern keeps the gold understated and sophisticated.

Vintage Velvet

Lady Love Song Dress in Olive Velvet, $62.99, modcloth.com

The muted green is holiday and wedding-friendly at the same time.

Trendy High-Low

Mock Neck Hi-Lo Dress, $35.42, ashleystewart.com

You'll be the most stylish guest at the wedding in this fire-red number.

Fun Fringe

ASOS T-Shirt Fringe Midi Dress, $103.91, asos.com

How fun would this dress be to hit the dance floor in?

Sophisticated Sequins

Adrianna Papell Plus Size Embellished Scoop Back Cocktail Dress, $259, nordstrom.com

Sequins never looked this grown up.

Year-Round Friendly

Little Mistress Printed Jacquard Dress In Fit And Flare, $128.99, asos.com

This works perfectly as a year-round wedding guest dress, but doesn't look out of place at a winter reception.

Lovely Tulle

Plus Shimmering Lace Tulle Dress, $31.99, rue21.com

The silhouette and hue of the tulle skirt keeps it mature and fun at the same time.

Blue Christmas

Cassie Dress in Slub Silk, $149.99, jcrew.com

This sophisticated dress is grown up enough to keep you away from the kids' table, for sure.

Toned Down Gold

Silky Plunge Skater Dress, $68, missguidedus.com

The shiny nude hue of this dress passes off as a stylish, muted gold.

Swiss Dots

Swiss Dot Flare Dress, $44.90, fashiontofigure.com

No need for a sweater with this sweet long-sleeved number.

Sassy Ruffles

Ready To Ruffle Wine Red Midi Dress, $59, lulus.com

Midi dresses are totally wedding-appropriate and trendy at the same time.

Midnight Magic

Illusion Ball Gown, $47.10, torrid.com

Nothing says "Christmas" like a touch of shine, and the blue hue is festive without being too forward.

Images: Fabrice Lambert/Wikimedia Commons; Courtesy of brands