1. Rehearsal Dinner
2. Dessert Reception
3. Wedding and Reception
So I really need three dresses. I am not sure exactly how formal the first two events will be, but I am guessing I probably need to wear a dress to each. I will probably regret this but here are many (way too many) dress/jewelry combos... please tell me which are your favorites and which one you think would be best for the wedding itself. Details of the wedding are:
4 pm start time, California in early August, outdoors (as is the reception).
Ok, here goes, in no particular order:
1. Black dress with pearls
2. Black dress with sparkly jewelry
3. Black and white print with black jewelry (left) or pearls (right)
4. Black and white dress with pearls
6. Black and white with sparkly jewelry 
More black and white, seated
A. 99% of what is available for purchase right now and
B. what fit right.
Sorry for the somewhat inconsistent color correction on all these pics too. Anyway, by the looks of things I'm sure the wedding will be a sea of black and white which I unfortunately will be contributing to. Now, I also picked up these sandals
which I was thinking I might be able to wear with the black and white print dress to something other than the wedding, depending on what you all think (maybe they are not fancy enough?)
The shoe salesperson said no cork at the wedding itself. No comments about my white legs, Hildy, and yes I will wear hose with the other shoes! I just didn't feel like putting them on for the photo shoot.
Help me out here all you fashionistas......
More black and white, seated
7. Blue and ivory print
I regret that most of the dresses are black and white but that is
A. 99% of what is available for purchase right now and
B. what fit right.
Sorry for the somewhat inconsistent color correction on all these pics too. Anyway, by the looks of things I'm sure the wedding will be a sea of black and white which I unfortunately will be contributing to. Now, I also picked up these sandals
which I was thinking I might be able to wear with the black and white print dress to something other than the wedding, depending on what you all think (maybe they are not fancy enough?)
The shoe salesperson said no cork at the wedding itself. No comments about my white legs, Hildy, and yes I will wear hose with the other shoes! I just didn't feel like putting them on for the photo shoot.Help me out here all you fashionistas......
24 comments:
Ok. Here goes:
I love the black and white printed dress with the black jewelry for the dress rehersal.
I love the blue dress (with sparkle jewelry) for the desert reception
and for the main event the first solid black dress with pearls.
:-)
Also, happy anniversary a few days ago!!!
Hi Cheryl,
I have a question first...are there going to be 2 receptions, a regular one AND a dessert one, or are they one in the same? I don't know if it really affects my answer though. I checked on some wedding etiquette sites. They said the rehearsal dinner attire depends on where you are going, but if you don't know where you are going to wear a pretty dress...I vote for the blue one with sparkly jewelry. For an evening wedding, they say that black is good, so I vote for the black dress with the pearls. If the receptions are right after, then the black should be fine as well. The nice thing about black is that you can go to town on anything chocolate and any spills won't be noticed. ;-) Can you tell I've thought about this entirely too much? Either way, both of those outfits look great on you! And on the white leg comment, you just need me to stand near you and you'll look super tan. ;-)
Have fun & a belated Happy Anniversary!
P. S. I also like your hair down, and remember, even though CA may be hot, it'll be a dry heat, so you won't feel as hot as here in VA...or Joisey. :-)
Yes, two receptions--the regular wedding reception right after the wedding and a separate dessert reception on a different day (prior) which will be at a hotel. The rehearsal dinner is at a restaurant, not sure of the level of formality there but as you say a dress would probably be most appropriate.
Ok, then I'd say the dress with the white top & black skirt for the dessert reception with the pearls. Have fun!
I know I'm not very original, but I think I have to agree with Grace. My favorite dress is the all black one with the pearls. Very pretty!
And Matts cousins wedding in March was pretty formal and the bridesmaids wore black, and then yes, along with pretty much everyone else, including me. It just works with anything and everything. It's slimming and looks good on everyone! You just can't go wrong.
Ok..here are my suggestions...
Rehearsal Dinner: Black and White Print Dress with black necklace and black dress shoes (no flip flops too casual)
Dessert Reception: Blue and White dress with pearls (to get away from the black and to be different) but you will need white shoes
Wedding: the classic Black dress with pearls (you can never go wrong with this combination plus you look fabulous in it) you can wear the White and Black dress with the sparkle jewelry if you wish as this is a nice combination as well, but I always think the bride should be the only one to wear white (even though it is with black) on this day
Karen seems to think that because she doesn't live in California and I do that I should be the one to render my opinion. Most of all I think you should wear what makes you feel beautiful and comfortable. Hope you have a good time.
Kristy (aka Aunt Kiki)
let's try this again...my firs comment got lost is cyberspace
Rehearsal Dinner : Black and White print dress with black jewelry (no flip flops too casual)
Dessert Reception: Blue and White dress with pearls (just to be different) although you will need white shoes
Wedding and Reception: Classic Black dress and pearls (you can never go wrong with this combination no matter what) you could wear the White and Black dress with the sparkle jewelry but I think you look fabulous in the Black dress.
Karen said that because she is not from California and I am that I should be the one to render my opinion. Most of all I think you should wear what makes you feel beautiful and comfortable. If you are worried about not being tan enough use the Jergens self tanning lotion it works great (fair to medium). Have a great time!
Kristy (aka Aunt Kiki)
OK--here is Heather's opinion...
4:00 pm California wedding? I would wear shorts and birkenstocks. Seriously--you are dressing too east coast! :-)
Now--of all the dresses--#1 is absolutely superb on you (you look like a model)! Forego the prints (too grandma) and the other dress (the white and black), although nice, is too formal for California. Pearls are always appropriate. Also, I would ix-ne on the flat sandals and get some cute peep toe pumps in black (and get a pedicure with some nice red polish--the french pedicure is also popular right now). Those sandals you have posted are too casual for that black dress. Get some matching lipstick and you are set!
Let us know the final decision.
Heather
PS--I also LOVE your hairstyle in photo #1. And I see from the photos that you also already have the peep toe pumps that I recommended. I think we share a brain.
Heather
OOPS--I didn't answer your questions.
Rehearsal dinner--blue print, but not with black shoes (or bag, for that matter). Get some blue to match or wear a light brown, camel, or taupe (fabric, if possible, but leather is OK). Strappy sandals would be nice with that dress. Pearls.
Dessert reception--Wear dress #1. Pearls.
Wedding--if not dress #1, go with the black and white solid. Pearls.
You could also get away with wearing the dress #1 at both the rehearsal dinner and the reception, especially if there will be different guests at each. Hose for everything. You can get the hose with the toes cut out so they won't show at the "peep". Just make sure to get a color close to your skin tone so it won't be obvious. Wear your most formal outfit to the wedding, which looks like the black and white solid from your photos. Hope this helps!
Heather
Hi! The blue dress is the least formal of the three, so I would wear it to the rehearsal dinner.
The black and white dress would be appropriate for an evening wedding - I think it's too formal for a 4pm outdoor wedding, especially in California.
So, I would wear the black dress to both the wedding and the dessert reception, but you can create 2 totally different looks, because a good black dress is a blank canvas. If it were me, I would wear the black dress with the pearls to the wedding, and then to the dessert reception, wear the black dress with a fun red heel and some fun, chunky jewelry that goes with the red heel.
PS- The sandals are cute, but way too casual for any of the events.
PPS- No hose (up here in the NYC area, we stopped wearing hose years ago...)
Most of all, have fun!!!!
You look BEAUTIFUL in all of them. I actually like ALL the dresses. They look nice on you.
I was actually at a wedding last Friday and someone had a black dress on just like the one on the top picture. She wore pearls with it and a pearl bracelet and it looked nice.
I agree the blue dress would be nice for the desert reception because it is a little more casual. I like the blue one with pearls because the dress has so much white in it.
I like the black and white dress with the sparkly jewelry for the rehearsal dinner. (I actually like the pearls with this one too but you probably don't want to wear pearls with every outfit).
For the wedding- the black dress with pearls.
Those shoes are very cute. They do look nice with the black print dress. So that is also a nice option for the desert reception.
I have probably totally confused you. But...I really like ALL those dresses on you.I usually have a hard time finding ONE dress that looks nice- you have found many.
Let us know what you decide.
Lisa
Just a note on the blue print: it is actually ivory or an off white, it doesn't show in the pics but it is obvious in person (I probably should have made that more clear), so shoes were a hard one for that because I don't think white works. Heather your shoe suggestions for it were better than the shoe salesperson... she thought black patent leather was fine, or gold (not for me).
I am really handicapped with shoes because Ken is only about 1-2 inches taller than me (he would debate this) so I really never wear heels; it can be hard to look as dressed up in flats or a very low heel, or to find the right shoe at all. But maybe I shouldn't let the height thing stop me.
Anyway, many, many thanks to everyone for all the comments so far, it is so fun getting all these opinions and VERY HELPFUL! The black dress/pearls is getting high marks and my parents really like it too, so I think I can at least put that aside to wear to the wedding. I really wasn't sure if black was appropriate for a wedding...even though I have seen people wear it.. see how much I know!
Hi Cheryl,
I recently discovered the most amazing shoe store in Chesapeake and if you haven't been before, you should check it out. DSW shoes in the Crossways shopping center (across Greenbrier Parkway from Greenbrier Mall, in the shopping center just in front of Regal Cinemas). It has a big black & white sign. They have a huge assortment of shoes on display going from super-formal to casual in display. The stock is located right below each display shoe, so you don't have to mess with salespeople. Excellent prices too, brand names, as well as lesser known brands. If you want shoes, go there first and you probably won't have to go anywhere else. They have practically anything you could think of.
Hi,
I disagree with Michelle (sp?) regarding pantyhose. Ladies ALWAYS wear stockings, even if very sheer. Women don't. Decide which image you would like to portray. Just ask Barbara Walters--she did a huge thing about stockings on THE VIEW a week or so ago, and she is a lady, albeit a democrat. Who wants to do what New Yorkers do? You are a Southern Lady now!
Heather
Great looks! What fun trying all those dresses on. You already have tons of great advise. i would add that I agree with my daughters concerning the black dress and pearls for the wedding itself. For the reception I'd go with the blue print just cuz I like color. I actually prefer the sorta fun look of the B & W dress!
Dont get stressed... just enjoy being gorgeous!!
My dear,
I see that there is a quandary taking place amongst your readers regarding hosiery. Let me assure you, those same women foregoing stockings in NYC are the same ones who are opening their own doors. Take it from a Scarsdale socialite, no lady with whom I have ever dined at The Plaza has gone bare legged. And last I checked, which was yesterday luncheon, Bergdorfs and Bendels still have a hosiery department.
Until next time,
Hildegarde Fillmore
Hi, Cheryl -
I agree with Grace; I also think that the shoes would be just fine for the first 2 events, but maybe - and only if you can find something - a dressier shoe for the wedding itself.
Have a great time!
Do "pumps" really have a pump inside them like my air jordans did in junior high? The inflatable tongue was really nice, it really improved the fit. Gotta be the shoes.
NO HOSE!!!!!!
Take it from a California girl no one (except those over 65) wear panty hose in the middle of summer in California no matter what the occassion.
Peep toe heels, strappy sandals, a nice pedicure and some self tanner (Jergens) will do the trick. If you are wearing closed toe shoes use those little peds so you won't get blisters...but please no hose!
Have fun!
Kristy (aka Aunt Kiki)
On the hose question, on makeover shows like "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style (and he was the dean at a fashion school before he started in entertainment) and "What Not to Wear," yes, they seem to lean towards no hose. BUT they also advise ladies who are very pale, that it is ok to wear sheer hose and it looks nicer. I have seen some ladies who are as pale as I am and it is a little jarring to see those extremely white legs below the hem. Also with black dresses they often have them wearing sheer black hose. I was born & raised in CA, and still have a lot of relatives there, and when we go to visit a lot of women, young and old, will still wear hose. From what I've seen at the LARGE church my sister attends, it looks like it runs about 50/50. So you should wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and, as Tim Gunn says..."OWN your look!" ;-)
I just want to say you look amazing. Did you even really have a baby???
Christine
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