What do guests wear to weddings these days?

[cathyandclaire]

It's been a long while since I've been to a wedding and "Four Weddings and a Funeral' time was when we hit peak attendance, so in my mind weddings mean linen suits and enormous hats. I'm guessing that is totally wrong for a 5pm do in a gorgeous hotel in late November!
So please help me, what is the 'done' thing now?
Hats? Fascinators? Cocktail dresses? Suits? Coats?
I'm in my late mid forties if that makes any difference but will NOT be doing mum-style Jacques Vert matching ensembles even if they have had a renaissance

I would go for the coat and strapless dress.

You only live once ;-)

I would worry about strapless for a winter wedding tbh. I really like this brand for dresses, I am in no way petite but the dresses are a good fit.

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Precis+Petite+Women+Dresses/BRAND_PRECIS%20PETITE_301,default,sc.html&redirectQuery=precis%20petite

I wouldn't wear strapless to a wedding, not even to the evening reception. The coat sounds amazing though.

I had a friend of DHs turn up for our wedding in a full length silver slinky dress with sections cut out of it! She did look absolutely amazing but several people were

If she can wear that, I think a strapless dress with a jacket is absolutely fine! You could always take a shawl or shrug if you wanted to take your jacket off but not feel cold/exposed

i have an evening do to go to at a posh hotel

am toying wiht this www.coast-stores.com/coast/fcp-product/1516980

i hate fascinators - think they are very very naff
Think long sleeves too unless v high summer

A bit eighties, Brenda?

oh god you are right
sigh

Sorry. Do you deffo want black?

nah its ok ;)

Brenda, you wear that and I'll wear mine and we can tear up the dance floor together it will be fabulous!

I think that although the dinner and dance are evening, the actual ceremony is not a party. Therefore the idea of an out and out party dress for a wedding ceremony is not what I would do. In November you do want to be warm as you stand around for the photos - probably outside. So what you might wear to a party (strapless, black, sparkly, silver slinky) will look a bit out of place at the actual wedding. This is why I suggested it was a "day" event.

There will be some great day to evening dresses about shortly. I think you should aim for looking glamorous without being out and out over the top party. Just have fab accessories for the evening.

But the OP is planning to wear a (no doubt beautiful as VW usually is) velvet coat for the day ceremony.

What could be more suitable for a winter wedding?

I thought the VW coat was going out of favour due to it not having much room due to a nipped in waist? Sorry if I misunderstood. Are you wearing the coat with nothing underneath it, op? What an interesting proposition!

The best dress I have found for this type of event is the Calia dress from L K Bennett in a burgundy colour. It is just perfect. Right colour, right length, expensive fabric, well cut and described as a cocktail dress. Will last for years, won't go out of fashion and, best of all, can be worn again as it is understated. Out to dinner or to another party. Not cheap, but you won't need anything else. Well, except some diamonds and pearls!

Am planning on wearing dark green strapless, midi silk dress with Viv velvet coat over, it is positively roomy at the moment due to Biwi's fabulous bootcamp! Shall shed coat after the meal and dance the night away.. but first I will check with the bride that I won't be the brazen hussy of the wedding by flashing my shoulders (although I feel, knowing the bridge and groom, that by then no one will be able to focus on what I'm wearing!)

Must say though Milly that the Calia dress is very lovely and I may just pop in and try it on, it would certainly be a less stressful option and would always be useful.

My dd is getting married soon and I want to know what I should wear? I've no idea at all but I'd think that guests can be less formal.

OP your outfit sounds truly divine and - thank god - a world away from the millions of Coast / Damsel / Phase 8 dresses and god forbid shrugs one sees at weddings these days.

Wear it and be fabulous! It's never too early for Aunty Viv and I'd be delighted to have you and your shoulders as a guest! I

Frock coat + strapless sounds great tbh. If you are really worried about showing shoulders (which I don't think you should be by the sounds of it tbf) then maybe think about taking a leaf out of Rene Russo's book in the Thomas Crown affair and wear a shirt under the strapless dress, rather than something over it. If you have one that the collar ties in well with the frock coat.

dark green strapless silk with VW green velvet frock coat on top= the best outfit i've read about for a long time. Great idea from ryan too ! Do send us a picture.

I think strapless is fine if you have great arms and shoulders but you may want to have an in between coat and stapless for the evening meal - eating in a coat can feel restrictive but strapless great for dancing. the velvet coat sounds lovely.
I recently attended a wedding - I wore a silk t shirt with a full midi skirt and a pair of heels with a great clutch bag, it was quite understated for a wedding but I really struggle with wedding clothes, they are really not me.

Thanks for the comment, candc. I do agree dark green is very glam so you will look fabulous. I am sure you would look great in the LKB dress too.