Wedding attire woes

[VeryGoodVeryNice]

I’m attending a wedding this weekend as a guest, and I have precisely one day to get something sorted to wear. In my defence, I’ve been working/busy non stop for weeks and haven’t had the opportunity to go shopping.

What the fuck do I wear? I know this is ridiculous but I haven’t been to a wedding as a guest for over 20 years, my friends aren’t the marrying kind I guess!

It’s a catholic wedding in Ireland if that makes any difference. I’m heading into town tomorrow to see what I can find but I know panic will set in and it’s going to be traumatic.

I’m 41 (but look younger), size 10, quite tall. Would like to look up to date, classy but not like someone’s nan.

I never go anywhere smart so I need everything, including shoes, accessories etc. Also, do I need some kind of jacket or something in the church? What’s the done thing?

Please give me some starting points.

Dunnes is your friend. Paul Costelloe tailored dresses (which have a short sleeve, can be worn again but easily dressed up), a nude heel (if Dunnes don't have them, New Look will), get your hair and makeup done professionally, add some jewellery... If you dont have any, ask in store for someone to match to your outfit, boom, done. Shouldn't be a source of stress.

Ah, should have said, I’m actually in England and flying to Ireland on Friday. Worst case scenario I do have Friday afternoon in Ireland to go to Dunnes but that really is cutting it fine.

WRT hair and make up, that’s going to be down to me, another thing that’s stressing me out! I’m shite with anything hair related and I think my make up is stuck in the 90s. In fact I think some of my make up is actually from the 90s 🤣. Really should have watched some YouTube videos or something.

What shops do you have in town? Next have some nice dresses.

There’s a good selection of shops, I’m heading into Bath so pretty much everything I think. Never actually been shopping for clothes myself there so not 💯 sure. I’m worried there may be too much choice and I’ll just get bamboozled.

Do go to Dunnes if that’s where you feel comfortable!
Sat if you have time and are central can you book in on one of the counters at brown Thomas ?
That way you get your make up done, cost goes against purchases there, and if you really don’t like your make up then you’ve lost nothing

I was in a hotel last week as wedding guests were arriving and they were all wearing chiffon dresses like this www.next.ie/en/style/ls289425/p95903#p95903 with skyscraper heels.

Where abouts is the wedding?

Weddings in Ireland will tend to be fairly formal. So you want a dress nice shoes and a fascinator or headpiece.

Do you have a monsoon close by? They have some gorgeous dresses and their attached accessorize can provide nice hairbands, handbag etc. One stop shop! Also they have a wide range of sizes so if u are smaller or larger you should be able to get sorted.

Also depending on where it is you can call tomorrow get yourself booked in for hair and makeup.
Makeup at a makeup counter at a department store close by and you should be able to get into any hairdresser for a blow dry.

I've been to lots of weddings in Ireland. You do not need a fascinator or headpiece!

Is there a John Lewis in Bath? If so I'd call them and see if you can get the personal shopper service for when you need to be in, explain what you need, give sizes etc.

Otherwise head in and find Coast/hobbs/ Phase Eight and ask an assistant to help you. Frankly, if you're tall and size 10 it will be easy.

Ps for shoes I'd go for a block-heeled sandal as modern and comfortable.

Phase Eight is my go-to for wedding outfits. They will have everything you need from hat to shoes.

In Bath you could also try the fab shop on Pulteney Bridge that has a picture of Judi Dench in the window - can't remember what it is called but they do some lovely things. (Hampstead Bazaar perhaps?)

Thank you all for the help! That dress from Next is nice and the kind of thing I had in mind. So if I wore something like that, would I need some kind of jacket or anything for the church? Or would it be ok to wear on its own? Also forecast is shite where we’ll be in Ireland this weekend so it won’t be overly warm.

A couple of people have mentioned fascinators/hats - how necessary is this? My bf keeps telling me people wear them too, but then we looked at some recent wedding photos on Facebook from friends of his in Ireland and no one had anything on their heads. Although the photos were from the reception rather than the church.

Fascinators are definitely not needed and not everyone wears them. In fact I did suggest it above but I would say maybe 20% of people wear them. I love them I think it automatically makes a person bit more glam and more weddingy

Not a fascinator- you’re 40 not 60!

Ok that’s good, one less thing to think about!

Oh wow nice problem to have!
Size 10, tall, presumably no money worries about cost of outfit.
Definitely Phase Eight - you'll be sorted out within an hour.

Haha well I don’t have an unlimited budget but at this point I’m happy to crack out the credit card to save time if necessary, I don’t have any time to bargain hunt.

Although I’ve just realised there’s a phase eight store at Clark’s village which is closer, and will definitely be a lot cheaper. That said, my experience of Clark’s village is that it’s all the shit that no one wanted to buy and I’ve never been too successful there. They also have a Hobbs outlet, I think monsoon has gone now.

I'm in my 20s I wear one to every wedding I've been to. It's not a older person thing. But it's very much person choice

Although I’ve just realised there’s a phase eight store at Clark’s village which is closer, and will definitely be a lot cheaper. That said, my experience of Clark’s village is that it’s all the shit that no one wanted to buy and I’ve never been too successful there. They also have a Hobbs outlet, I think monsoon has gone now.

I think that would be risky.

Go to the safe bet places first.

There is a saying in my line of work

good, quick, cheap
you can choose two but you can't guarantee all three.

At this stage you are looking for quick and good. You have to take a risk on price.

If you go to Clark's Village you can have quick and cheaper but you can't guarantee the 'good'.

Please not the lilac flowery next one. I think my MIL wore that for the jubilee celebrations and she's in her 80s.

Do you have to have your arms covered in church in Ireland still?

What's your normal fashion go to? Prints? Lace? Bright colours? Will you wear heels? Do you prefer floaty or fitted?

Fuck off. I'm 61 and have never worn a fascinator to a wedding.

Or indeed anywhere else