Autumn wedding guest dresses in the UK: what to wear and when to order

Colours for September, October and November

September still suits lighter colours: sage, dusty pink, powder blue or soft peach all look fresh in daylight. From October the deeper shades take over. Bottle green, burgundy, mustard, rust, navy and plum look warm under the lights of a banqueting hall and sit nicely against a dark coat.

Leave white and cream for the couple unless you have been told otherwise, and at many Pakistani weddings red is kept for the bride. If you want a dress you will wear again at Christmas parties and Eid, a jewel tone with gold or silver work is the safest choice. The Pakistani wedding clothes page shows our richer evening designs.

Staying warm without hiding the outfit

Sleeves do most of the work. Full sleeves, or three-quarter sleeves with a dupatta over the shoulders, keep you comfortable in a draughty hall. If you like the look of a sheer sleeve, ask for a lining. A heavier fabric with a lining also hangs better and creases less after a long drive.

Think about your coat early. A long, dark, plain coat goes over almost anything. If you will be outdoors for photos, a shawl in the same colour as your outfit looks much better in pictures than a puffer jacket, and you can drop it once you are inside. Our guide to winter wedding guest outfits has more on warm layers for later in the season.

Length, shoes and the weather

Floor length looks the most formal, but a wet pavement is hard on a long hem. Ankle length is the practical choice for most autumn weddings, and it shows off your shoes. Whatever length you choose, measure it in the shoes you will wear on the day.

If you dress modestly, a long dress with sleeves and a high neck needs no extra layer at all. The modest dresses and wedding guest dresses pages have long shapes with full sleeves.

• A daytime nikah in September: a long dress or three-piece in a soft colour
• An October walima: a floor-length frock or anarkali in a jewel tone with full sleeves
• A November mehndi: a co-ord or a frock in mustard or green, with a shawl for the journey

Ordering a dress in time

We make each dress in Pakistan to your measurements and send it to your door in the UK. Making takes 5 to 7 working days once your quote is approved and paid in full, then it is shipped, and your written quote includes delivery and any import duties and fees. We cannot promise a delivery date, so tell us the date of the wedding and order as early as you can.

When you are ready, send a photo of the dress you like with your measurements, or start from one of our designs on the custom frocks page. One dress is enough, and the quote confirms every detail before anything is made.