Second time around wedding

[Jac1970stone]

Hi all. I have recently got engaged, after 7 years with my DP, and we have set a wedding date for mid September - so a fairly short engagement. It is second time around for both of us, and we are just having a small wedding with our six children, their partners (3 of them have partners) and there will be 3 grandchild and my mum - so a total of 15 of us and then a meal after at our favourite local restaurant.

So a simple wedding - nothing overboard but am totally lost on what to wear.

I want to look nice, but have already done the big white wedding before and don’t want that again. I also don’t want to look “mother of the bride” type outfits that come up when you google about second time wedding and not frumpy either!

I think I would like to go plain and elegant if my menopausal 53 year old body will let me, and probably quite neutral colour, but am really really lost and hoped you might have some suggestions!

Thank you.

If it was me I'd be treating myself to a bargain on The Outnet/Lyst or go to Selfridges. I'd pick a beautifully made, quality dress that I loved myself in, but knew I could wear for future nights out and events. I'd have my hair/make up done, beautiful shoes and jewellery plus the dress and you'll look your radiant best. Something like this style , but find a plain version

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/diane-von-furstenberg/dresses/midi-dress/desma-wrap-effect-printed-chiffon-midi-dress/1647597305973634

I wore a beautiful navy Ralph Lauren gown for my wedding. Bonus is I get to wear it again and again! Pp suggestion of the outnet is an excellent one, just buy something glorious rather than focusing on the wedding aspect iyswim.

What's your height and shape and size OP?

What about a white trouser suit with the shape trousers which suit you best? (anything goes at the mo - from flares to straight leg)

Or a simple white pencil shift dress (again length/neckline to suit you perfectly) with something lovely to cover your arms if it's chilly?

https://www.nordstrom.com/s/kay-unger-tatum-floral-lace-midi-dress/4872115?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FWomen%2FClothing%2FDresses&fashioncolor=White&color=100

Is this too bridal?

Trouser suit? Something like that?
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1359170555/white-suit-women-three-piece-suit-womens?gpla=1&gao=1&

Thank you all for the suggestions - I have never heard before of the outnet! Yes definitely looking to have something that can be worn again. I am a size 10-12, and hoping to tone up a bit more now before September as I used to be much smaller, size 6-8 before menopause but now hips and belly have appeared and hate my big upper arms too - but we all have bits we don’t like I know and am lucky to be still quite small.

I am 168cm tall - just under 5’ 7”

will definitely have a good look at the suggestions - do struggle with trousers at the moment with the belly and hips so would probably err to dress side but really appreciate the recommendations.

I think a really chic trouser suit would look elegant. Pale coloured with beautiful shoes and statement earrings. That's what I would go for.

Otherwise a pencil skirt - something tailored. I think long, floaty stuff looks very frumpy on anyone over about 35.

Watching this thread as I am in the same boat, similar age. My wedding is in mid August and I have absolutely no idea what to wear either.

Congratulations @Festivalmitch - it’s so difficult isn’t it! I really don’t want to go overboard but would like to look good because I want to treasure the photos rather than grimace whenever I see them thinking oh god did I really look like that which is otherwise often what happens!

Really wish you the best for your future x

@Camillasfagwrinkles yes so much makes me look frumpy! Went to a burns night wedding in January and thought the dress I got looked really good - until I saw the photos and thought oh no! Really frumpy… and yes it was floaty!! Thank you for the recommendations

I would wear whatever you want. Forget that it's your second wedding. It's your wedding to your husband. Why should that be toned down. Unless you really want it to because you like that aesthetic.

For our second time around I got a dress from Suzannah London (in the sale thankfully). Covid wedding so small. It should have been spring but happened in the autumn and the dress was fine for that time of year too. It was silk and a tea dress style. It felt very special though more low key than the first wedding one. Congratulations OP

Have you found anything yet @Jac1970stone ?

the outnet link looks interesting.

wishing you a very happy day and future 🥰

https://www.asos.com/prd/203608436?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

i have ordered this today. Ive
never shopped with ASOS before.. I’m a bit taller than you OP -
5’10.

I'd wear a Ghost dress - I'm the same sport of size as you and LOVE them. Floor length, cut on the bias. You can get a few different shapes ie draped at the back and high at the front - I get most of mine from eBay but brand new, they are not prohibitively priced.

Congratulations and I hope you have a wonderful day xxx

That looks lovely @Festivalmitch unfortunately not available in my size or would have got it to try!

Thank you @something2say I will have a look at Ghost too - really appreciate the suggestion.

Am also looking at Coast have ordered one option so far which was on the sale and the last one saying available so thought I would order it whilst keeping the search going as I can’t resist a bargain!!

I also have a pale pink hat and shoes from a previous event that would go with that, although I have to be careful about it washing me out!

https://www.coastfashion.com/bardot-clipped-jacquard-midi-dress/ACC99205.html

the Bardot arms hopefully will deflect on the big upper arms… that’s the thought anyway.

This is the one I wore to an event last year…

And then this is the one from burns which I thought looked good until I saw the photos…

then felt really frumpy

Is this too Bridal?

https://www.johnlewis.com/alie-street-amber-floral-lace-knee-length-wedding-dress-ivory/p6169267