AIBU to ask you for suggestions where we can get realllly dressed up?

[Breeoncrackersforlunch]

I’m talking black tie and a ball gown.
It’s for my partners 40th so I thought it would be nice if we could take a trip somewhere and get all dressed up.
I considered the opera in Vienna etc but I’m getting conflicting information if that’s a jeans affair?
I’ve also looked at murder mystery weekends but can’t find anything particularly formal.
We both like an excuse to get dressed up and I thought it would be a nice surprise.
Birthday is Mid may but a few weeks either side would be fine. Has anyone any suggestions, please?

A cruise.

I wouldn’t go on a cruise right now, unless you want to be quartined in the middle of the ocean lol.

I'll piggy back on this, because my husband's black tie do has just been cancelled due to coronavirus, and I'd already got my beautiful dress!

What's your budget? The Orient Express does some v posh journeys.

I’m not sure I could stretch to a cruise now - plus with the Coronavirus it could be a risky thing to book?
I wonder if I could find a river cruise somewhere nice in Europe (And hopefully low risk) for a day or two which might have a nice dining room or evening though? I’ll have a look - thank you

I considered the opera in Vienna etc but I’m getting conflicting information if that’s a jeans affair?

Even if it, or any other opera, is jeans, doesn't stop you getting glammed up to the nines for it!

Are you thinking of the Vienna Opera Ball? That was last week I think. I would say a cruise but it’s not a good time...

A charity ball? We went to a Roaring Twenties themed one - women all in gorgeous flapper dresses, men in white or black tie. Fabulous cabaret acts, acrobatic silk dancers working above the tables, dodgem cars, casino, swing band, lots of bars and three course dinner. It was a brilliant night for a good cause and no one anywhere was dressed down.

www.kidsforkids.org.uk/event/the-ambassadors-ball-2020/

www.bw-westonhallhotel.co.uk/events/moonlit-masquerade-charity-ball

A charity ball won't be much fun unless you buy a table.
A box at the opera? Sadly, even in the stalls at Covent Garden you could end up beside someone in jeans - and it does spoil the occasion.
It's hard to think of anywhere that's really dressy these days.

What about Glyndebourne Opera Festival? Series of events throughout Summer starting 21st May - formal dress etc.
Here is the link: www.glyndebourne.com/about-us/introduction-to-glyndebourne/
Hope you have a fab time wherever you go!

Balls in Vienna. Ball season has ended but there might be a few still you can ferret out.

Otherwise make friends with an engaged Swedish couple and attend their wedding 😂😁

cruises aren't so dressy now. The only line which still has really formal nights is Cunard. People don't tend to dress up for the theatre now, or the opera apart from Glyndebourne. Charity Balls still tend to be formal - and fun.

crispysausagerolls

Thank you everyone for suggestions - I’ll have a look at them all. Trying to make it special on slightly less money than would be ideal (or I’d be booking the orient express!!)

Like @RizzoFromGrease I was going to say Glyndebourne - you can sometimes get cheap standing tickets and take your own (fancy) picnic so it doesn’t have to cost the earth! Really beautiful grounds too

Burg Island hotel looks amazing . Defintely appropriate to dress up there but it is quite pricey. www.burghisland.com

Came on to say Burgh Island. It's amazing.

Come and go to one this summer on my behalf- got 16 to go to from May- September and by the time July comes round I’m sick of wearing dresses and having to wash my hair 😂

Came on to say Burgh Island as well.

Burgh island looks nice - Ill look at availability.

Vieve1325 I’ll happily attend every single one on your behalf. How on earth are you so popular

Even if a few people go casual, most people really dress up for the opera in Vienna.

Why not just have a party and ask everyone to dress for a ball? Less travel, still posh frocked, less chance of it being cancelled or you being stranded due to CV.

CornishPorsche

I did consider this but everyone’s too spread out and there’s too many extenuating circumstances to make it feesable really! So something for the two of us would be easier.