Drum roll please.... the Dress is chosen! Now help me finish the outfit!

[NorkilyChallenged]

Okay, the cat's out the bag (on MN if not in RL) - this is for my own v low-key wedding in 2 weeks.

Thank you so much to all who gave opinions on my original thread about choosing between 3 dresses.

Dress 3 was never in the running (deepdarkwood summed it up by saying I'd risk being mistaken for an overplumped cushion)

I made it even between Dress 1 which I still insist is navy and Dress 2 which is purple. 8 votes each.

I still really love both dresses but, with apologies to MaryQueenof Chocs and my fashion-advice friend Tethersend, I've decided to go with Dress 1..... ta da!! I took on board what Traceybath said about needing to feel va va voom

So now, shoes - going by advice so far I'm wondering about nude or navy patent courts? I linked to some Clarks options but they didn't get much response so I'm assuming they weren't suitable (at least 2 had a strap across as I struggle to keep shoes on my feet). Am a size 39/40, wide flat feet, not used to heels, will be dealing with 2 toddlers.

Also, is there anything I can get to wear over the top? I would suggest a cardi but Tethers might faint. Anything though? We've got a registry office thing (only our parents and dc there), then afternoon tea in a nice hotel where DP & I will then stay the night, having dinner. So I thought maybe an extra layer for the afternoon bit so I can go to dinner with just the dress for maximum effect? It might be freezing given current weather conditions. I have no idea what to wear though.

Jewellery - bracelets? cuffs? I don't like gold but am thinking silver? I have a plain silver flat wide chain (no idea what the proper name is) that I'm wondering about as a necklace? Any better ideas?

Thank you very much. Since it's secret, I have noone else to talk to about it (except MIL who is a long way away - my mum not that interested)

It is somewhat erroneous that I am posting on a Style and Beauty thread but I have become caught up in the excitement!

I am unconvinced by the teal/blue idea, it is quite a purply blue and I think will look too much.

I am a huge fan of navy with silver so if you can find silver/grey shoes.....

How about this silver shrug from Monsoon - has long sleeves but won't cover up the gorgeous lines on the front of the dress. However it only seems to be available online in a 14 and up, don't know what size you are. they do different colours so if wrong size and you like the shape it might be worth a look.

These shoes are rather gorgeous and have a strap across, but not quite the same shade of blue - what do you think? Am not sure they are slinky enough in style though.

I wore these on NYE while 8 months pregnant and lasted the night so pretty darn comfy and fairly glam if you don't mind slightly chunky?

Oooh ooh ooh how about these? - listed as purple but not far off dress colour IMO and quite slinky i think...

I'll stop now, all my suggestions might be completely hideous!

< jumping in at a late stage in the proceedings >

How about a cobwebby thing like this? Wouldn't hide your dress too much.

I also like the velvet jacket Tracey linked to. Im sure I've seen a lovely navy velvet somewhere. Hmm...

Another crochet shrug.

Also comes in silver.

You hate it, don't you?

Pewter shoes.

Or silver.

I don't think a bolero/jacket/shrug would be ideal, given the style of the ruching and the fairly high neckline.

I'd go for just a really simple wrap, i.e. something that can be thrown over quite close to the neck at the top, with something to fasten it. I think anything V-neck in particular wouldn't work so well with the ruching.

Oh wow, I hadn't realised there had been a resurgence of interest!

I will go back and look at all those links properly. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the ideas.

Am having a massive crisis of confidence about the dress, the shoes, everything anyway so maybe not in the best state of mind to make decisions.

Tethers! I am truly touched. You linked to a .... well you know.... a knitwear thingummy . For me! I had no idea how you felt about me until now, thank you

Okay, I get that the shoes might be wrong. Problem is, I only have tomorrow to find something else. With kids in tow At work Mon-Wed, getting hair done Wed pm, then the (non) big event is Thursday.

Off to look through links...

Hm. Okay. I now look like this

Really unsettled about the shoes now. Will need to try on together tomorrow and see what I think. I really really like the La Redoute navy/white shoes, if I'd seen them earlier I'd have ordered them but it's a bit risky now as they might not fit and they might not arrive in time and not sure it's worth the effort... Anyone know anything about La Redoute shoe sizing? Is a big risk when I find shoes quite difficult isn't it?

Silver shoes are a no, I just can't do it. The pewter ones are okay but just okay, not better than the teal. I was in Schuh and didn't see those purple ones Gingerkirsty. Hmm....

Gah.

Okay the cardi. I love the crochety things thanks for the links WWWY. I have something like that (not a cardi, a top) already. But it wouldn't add any warmth at all and I'm not wearing something primarily to cover my arms but for a bit of warmth I think. The option of a bit of warmth anyway. I'm ruling those out.

I've had that silver shrug from Monsoon in my list Gingerkirsty, going to have a look at it.

Morag - I don't like either Reiss one, the fabric is right but they're not fitted/shaped enough for me. The shoes as I said are marvellous though, thank you.

Margarita - aha. Ahahaha. Right the FWM one is pricey but might work (though I'd get no further use out of it, too smart for work really) but out of stock there. They have it in JL so might have a look along with the dress and see how they look.

Tethers - that cardigan is exactly the right shape/length. I'm just still not sure about the teal with the navy. I could again have a look at them together in JL to see what I think (also depending on the shoes).

The velvet blazers though. Verrrrry tempting (sorry Tethers!). I do really like the idea. Will definitely look in New Look. I realise it'll all be a bit NAVY. But I'd get more wear out of it.

The Wrap one is beautiful but super expensive which I can't quite bring myself to do (never mind the time factor at this stage).

Thanks everyone. My head hurts a bit now, will have to ponder it overnight, try stuff on tomorrow and see what I find in town.

Anyone got a high street idea for a dress for 2yo dd? Also buying shirt/tie for dp. Talk about last minute

Ah. Just went for another look at the La Redoute navy shoes and notice they're navy and gold (thought it was white). I'm wearing all silver accessories and don't really do gold - does that rule them out? Think it might

Can you throw money at the problem? Here

at throwing money. I'd never manage to stand up in those, never mind walk!

Will try strangely green shoes on tomorrow and see what I think. There are only 6 guests and 2 of those are toddlers so I think I might just have to wear not-very-well-combined-shoes-and-dress combo anyway.

For DD - both Gap and Zara have some lovely girl's stuff in at the moment.

I bought a pair of navy shoes yesterday which are super comfortable with a hidden platform. These but in navy

The White Company also have some lovely girl's stuff if you have a store nearby.

Liking the nipped in velvet jacket idea

www.schuh.co.uk/womens-navy-schuh-roche-scallop-bar-court/1219085850

www.schuh.co.uk/womens-silver-schuh-bob-ruffle-court/1207787620

How did the shopping trip go?

Children were a nightmare. DP struggled to find anything he liked. Reminded me why I like to shop alone

Will report back. There are no other shoes available (sob) so green and blue it will be.

Teal definitely doesn't match the dress (the shoes are not really teal, more a dark green I think having seen real teal today). So all teal options were out.

Came home with the velvet blazer from New look but in grey not blue - it's v v shiny and spangly looking (possibly a bit cheap looking?) in the blue, it's marginally better in grey (looks silvery).

Also a navy velvet nipped in blazer from Zara but it's twice the price and it doesn't quite match the dress (which has more purple in it than a true navy it turns out).

Girls have dresses (£10 from Next, red, not on the website so can't link) shoes from Monsoon (sparkly, chosen by dd1, v Wizard of Oz, not my first choice personally...).

Phew.

Have to say, finding it a bit stressful now. Shoes lovely but really not sure about the combo. But time is out so that's that. Thanks for asking

Oh i think grey velvet is perfect. Well done you, I am sure you will ALL look amazing. Can we have pics on Friday?

Have a wonderful day.

Hope the day is lovely. I'm sure it will be Try to relax now!

Grey velvet will look lovely and am sure the shoes are absolutely fine

Just relax and have a truly wonderful day.

And that blazer will look fab with jeans afterwards.

Are you going on a honeymoon?

Thank you for vote of confidence. I really appreciate the outlet for all this nonsense in my worrying :)

Grey velvet is lovely. This isn't just grey velvet. This is New Look grey velvet. It looks very cheapy to me. Still undecided.

Have had a brain meltdown/last minute wedding panic (for most laidback wedding ever) and have ordered La Redoute shoes too.... just in vain hope they might arrive in time. Sigh.

DD2 refuses to try her shoes on and says they hurt (how she can tell from the look of them...) and she has nothing else even half decent (she is a monkey child and all her shoes are a state) so also low level worry about her having to wear pink crocs with her lovely red dress.

And breathe....

No honeymoon Tracey - well kind of, first night without kids since we had dd1 (over 3.5 years ago!). Inlaws looking after dc at home and we having one night (dinner, bed & breakfast) in a swanky hotel Actually more excited about that than the wedding at the mo

Here's the grey blazer though it looks cooler online and a bit more spangly and naff in real life. Possibly.