Black Tie Wedding - 3 events!

[HerRoyalNotness]

Hello! DH and I have been invited to a wedding with 3(!) events over the weekend.

I think I'm okay for the dinner prior (silk floral maxi) and the brunch following the actual wedding (just bought some mint trousers from ted baker and a floral top that they had styled with it), but need help on the black tie ceremony and dinner with an outfit. I have this dress that I wore to our work xmas do, with hair and makeup in 50s style. Is this black tie enough? I thought I'd try to find a hat for the day part then remove for the evening. Or should I be looking at something else?

It's the one with cap sleeves black top, and sheath fit

DH needs to buy a tux (he will reuse after for work type events), I'm steering him towards a classic so he will get a number of years out of it rather than a too fashionable one, where should he look? Any suggestions? What should he wear to the other 2 events? Brunch is country casual I think it said, and the dinner on Friday night is casual chic. The chic-est he gets is jeans and a plaid shirt

Also have to kit out 2 small boys, 6 and 3.

I'm slightly worried about outfits, we saw photo's of the hen do, and it was fancy afternoon tea with hats and lovely dresses, we don't want to be the underdressed guests.

All suggestions gratefully received!

[Plumpcious]

There was a thread last year: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/a1536831-Please-help-Black-tie-wedding

Consensus seemed to be that floor-length dress not necessary; evening/cocktail dress OK.

[MrsLettuce]

Black tie is generally full length, so lovely as the KM dress is it's a bit of a risk. Also, some traditionalists people aren't happy with solid black at a wedding.

What sort of budget are you on?

[HerRoyalNotness]

Thanks Plump, I will take a look at that thread.

MrsL, not sure, maybe up to 300quid. Trying to spend as little as I can, as DH is really the one that has NOTHING to wear. I somehow think he doesn't even have black dress shoes! We were not going to go to the wedding, but thought what the heck? It looks like it will be a wonderful weekend. At least we have someone to stay with, so no cost there.

[Autumn12]

White Tie is usually floor length, you will be fine with cocktail for Black Tie.

[HerRoyalNotness]

Should say, I'm a 12 on bottom, 10 on top. KM dresses seem to fit me okay for top in a 12. 5'7'', olive colouring, dark hair.

The other problem I see is, the ceremony is middayish at one location, where they say we'll be for a couple of hours, there is a house/gardens to tour and drinks/canapes. Then the dinner dance will be somewhere else at 5.30. We have a couple of hours between where we have to entertain ourselves somewhere. And unfortunately it's not in the UK, so can't nip to the nearest pub!

Maybe I'll check around to see what else people are wearing too, for length.

[HerRoyalNotness]

Argh, just typed big post and lost it due to my stupidity

Bumping for help please!

One of the organisers is saying, it's not redcarpet black tie, but just a little fancier than usual. Also the wedding photographer is going to take family shots of all the guests as a memory of the day, which is amazeballs.

So a friend that is going came over, and I showed her teh dress in my OP and also this one that I have:

black and ivory

And she said go for this one ^. She is quite the fashionista, and I tried to explain, black to wedding is a no-no, she did this face . She is also a relative of the bride, not sure if she is steering me wrong or not! Is it a total NO?

I could wear it to the reception. There is a LONG gap between the wedding ceremony in the morning, and the reception. We'd probably go to where we're staying in between with the boys for a rest and play, so could easily get changed.

I could wear either of these in my hair perhaps? Or not? I have no clue.

www.etsy.com/listing/119511382/fascinator-hat-crinoline-headpiece-ivory?ref=usr_faveitems

www.etsy.com/listing/80694836/bridal-headpiece?ref=usr_faveitems

I would actually prefer something more summery and fresh though I think. Any suggestions?