Help! What to wear to a formal wedding?

[PrincessIona]

Hi,

Im going to a formal wedding next month (April) and I have no idea what sort of thing I should wear - I have only been to 2 weddings before and neither of those were formal. The wedding is at 1pm. I have tried searching for advice on google but it's not been very helpful so far so I'm hoping someone on here can help me out?

My style is normally quite casual also, I don't want to spend a fortune as I'll only wear the outfit once.

Any advice please?

Thanks!!

 

[lvpiggy]

is it white tie? black tie? or black tie optional?

 

[d-girl1011]

If your style is casual, you may not want to go over the top with lots of beading or embellishment. However, I'd rather be slightly over dressed than under dressed at a formal event. Depending on how formal the wedding is, you could do a fancy cocktail dress or you may want to do a long dress that isn't over the top. Find out the location and take a look at the pictures. The hall or whatever may have pictures of how they do the place up for weddings. Then you can pretty much gauge how fancy the event will be.

In general, nothing is worse than when people show up to weddings in outfits that could double as a) girls night out on the town super tight mini dress, or b) a sundress that could be worn on a cruise!

 

[thespianmonsalv]

1pm isn't typically a formal wedding. That's usually evening weddings. Does the invitation say if it's black tie or black tie optional?

 

[cakegirl]

Black tie is only for the evening. For a formal daytime wedding, women should wear a dressy short dress or suit that is not cocktail-no beading or sequins, not too bare. Men would wear suits, not tuxedos.

 

[Sophie-Rose]

I'm so glad I've found this thread - I'm going to a wedding in the summer and have no idea what to wear - my style is very casual.... can't wait to see what ideas everyone comes up with!

 

[Sophisticated1]

I need help with this too.

 

[vhdos]

Here are some styles to consider (not necessarily these exact dresses, but the cut, fit, etc.). My personal favorite is the little black dress (the last picture):
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tadashi-shoji-ruched-jersey-dress/3282993?origin=category&resultback=977
Or this:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/eliza-j...dress/3183829?origin=category&resultback=2420
Or this:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/maggy-l...dress/3093924?origin=category&resultback=8195
Or this:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/adrianna-papell-lace-sheath-dress/3307532?origin=category&resultback=229
Or this:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/donna-m...-dress/3277090?origin=category&resultback=648
Or this:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ml-moni...dress/3277912?origin=category&resultback=6595
This is simple & elegant and could be dresses up with some gold jewelry:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/lauren-...dress/3295940?origin=category&resultback=7248
Or a LBD:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/maggy-london-one-shoulder-dress/3056830?origin=category&resultback=4206

 

[noon]

I was going to offer some suggestions but I noticed you said the wedding was in April - so I hope you figured it out!

 

[vhdos]

^Yes, but two other members (Sophie-Rose and Sophisticated1) asked for advice. I'm sure that your suggestions would be welcome by them too

 

[Hessefan]

^Yes, but two other members (Sophie-Rose and Sophisticated1) asked for advice. I'm sure that your suggestions would be welcome by them too

Their posts are from 2010, so hopefully they found something nice to wear!

 

[vhdos]

Oh, I didn't notice that Sophie-Rose was from 2010, but Sophisticated1 posted her request today