Autumn wedding outdoors - outfit?

[RosyPoesy]

Help! I’m attending a wedding in a couple of weeks and I don’t know what to wear. The weather is probably going to be 10-12c, cloudy and maybe a bit of rain. The receptions is in a tent with a grass floor and we’ve been warned not to wear stiletto heels.

Normally I’d wear a nice dress and heels to a wedding, so I’m at a loss for an outfit. I don’t think flat shoes will look “weddingy” iyswim. I’m also concerned about the temperature, if I wear a “wedding guest dress” I’ll probably be cold. Any suggestions? I’m thinking dress, coat and knee length boots but I’m worried it won’t look right even though it’s appropriate for the weather.

Can you ask whether the tent will be heated?

Knee length boots sounds very wrong for a wedding. I would wear a high neck, long sleeve midi dress, that could accommodate a lightweight thermal top and perhaps shorts underneath.Then sheer tights and pretty ballet style flats or wedges. Something like this: www.phase-eight.com/product/annie-textured-pleated-midi-dress-220562460.html#cgid=occasion&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=220562460&pos=12

I would pair it with a smart blazer (difficult to wear a coat when sat down in a tent), and take a big wrap/blanket coat for an extra layer. Basically, I would try to look like I’ve dressed for a regular wedding, while hiding the extra layers needed to make it comfortable outside in October.

Knee length boots do seem wrong for a wedding, but I’m going to be outdoors for maybe 12 hours in October. I can’t see a tent being very warm. Whatever shoes I wear have to be flat because of the grass, and I’d say that isn’t going to look good for a wedding anyway.

There is a lot of middle ground between flat and stilettos.

Long dress and ankle boots, thermal layers underneath

Wedges?

That dress is gorgeous.

OP, my cousin got married in a marquee and they had heaters and it was very warm, do you know if there's similar at this wedding?

This sort of thing? It can’t be that formal if there’s a grass floor?

I don’t think knee length boots would work and ballet flats are just hideous.

I’d wear ankle books and a long dress.

Honestly I’m just worried I’m going to end up going home halfway through the afternoon because I’m freezing. It seems bizarre to have an outdoor wedding reception in October, I didn’t realise that’s what it was when I accepted the invitation. The floor is grass and apparently there’s a fire pit so all my clothes will need dry cleaning to get the smoke smell off. I have no idea what’s appropriate to wear.

I think you have to consider clothes for the venue over the occasion. Wearing dainty impractical clothes in a tent in October will just look silly.

I would wear whatever kept me warm and comfortable yet still looked smart (and machine washable).

I doubt that the bride and groom will care whether you are wearing boots or ballet flats. I'm sure your presence is more important to them than what you are wearing.

I think if someone chooses to hold an outdoor event in the cold/rain then they don’t dictate what the guests wear.
I’d either wear a trouser suit and comfortable shoes (whatever that is to you), Or if I did wear a dress I’d wear a jacket with it or coat or big shawl plus again comfortable shoes which might have a heel or if not boots.
If they want people to wear more traditional wedding attire then then should hold it indoors in the warmth.

I don’t want to make a faux pas by wearing the wrong thing though. Flat knee length boots aren’t appropriate for a wedding. Of course neither is hanging around a muddy field in October! Worried I’ll turn up and everyone else will be wearing “wedding” clothes and I’ll look stupid.

Oh and I agree on only wearing machine washable.
Sounds like they don’t expect you to wear over the top traditional so no big hats, heels, fascinators etc.

If it’s real grass and even slightly damp or if there was dew on the grass that morning, it will be like a mud bath by the end. Think more Glastonbury than Ascot. Wear shoes that you can wipe down such as leather rather than satin.

Flat knee length boots aren’t appropriate for a wedding

But they might be for this one. In a muddy field no-one is going to expect you to wear dainty shoes. I think you need to throw out the idea of "suitable for a wedding" and embrace "smart but suitable for a muddy field"

Put together an outfit then ask the bride/groom/ someone you know who is attending if it's OK.
The problem is two years worth of couples are trying to get married so it's not a matter of pick a venue and a date it's a matter of juggling one against the other.

How about wearing a nice pair of shoes to start with and then take a pair of ankle boots to change into
I think a lovely long dress with thermal layers underneath is the way forward. How about a faux fur coat over the top for warmth and a bit of glamour x

What is your coat like? can you post a pic?

I think a smart coat with a sparkly top underneath and these boots or similar could work www.stories.com/en_gbp/shoes/boots/ankleboots/product.leather-heeled-ankle-boots-black.0879854001.html

I live rurally, so my recommendations are more of a practical nature.

I think it would be a good idea to contact the bride and groom and ask them if there is a dress code. If we get the kind of autumn weather we had two years ago the only footwear I would wear would be wellies.

A friend of mine had a marquee in a field type wedding and she change into wellies as soon as the ceremony was over so you might need to adjust look from "normal" wedding wear to something that suits the venue.