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Original poster

Fancy US wedding

153 replies

Lemongrassicedtea · 05/12/2023 22:34

Dh and I have been invited to a fancy wedding in the US - they are getting married in an actual cathedral! Dh has to wear a tux, what should I be wearing? I’m guessing very fancy?

any thoughts very much appreciated. I’m an athletic build and have an open budget. Tia

OP posts:
Thread gallery
26
Sd352 · 07/12/2023 20:25

The Reformation options look perfect! Wish I had the body or occasion for one of them!

bouncydog · 07/12/2023 20:37

Lots of photos on Pininterest so you have an idea or on the Adrianna Papell website which is US based. I purchased a couple of AP dresses for DD’s wedding which was black tie. Both column dresses with lots of sparkle detail and both very easy to wear.

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 07/12/2023 20:50

Fingeronthebutton · 07/12/2023 18:53

Bombshell have some beauties. And you covered. Have you been to New York in the winter 😱

Please god, no - not for a NYC high-end wedding. That would be like wearing Boden to the Met Ball.

semideponent · 07/12/2023 21:12

Have a look at Serena Bute, also (if you find a magic money pot) Galvan London. Perhaps hiring on Hurr or the like would be an option?

Also, my understanding is that while black is traditionally frowned on at weddings here in the UK, it's not like that in the US. I might be wrong about this so I'm interested in what other posters have to say.

LovedMyLastNameItHadToGo · 07/12/2023 21:16

I am just here for the dresses I have no idea, but for some reason have fallen in love with the idea of the wedding you’re going to!!

CarolinaInTheMorning · 07/12/2023 21:22

semideponent · 07/12/2023 21:12

Have a look at Serena Bute, also (if you find a magic money pot) Galvan London. Perhaps hiring on Hurr or the like would be an option?

Also, my understanding is that while black is traditionally frowned on at weddings here in the UK, it's not like that in the US. I might be wrong about this so I'm interested in what other posters have to say.

Black is fine, especially for a black tie wedding.

CarolinaInTheMorning · 07/12/2023 21:27

bouncydog · 07/12/2023 20:37

Lots of photos on Pininterest so you have an idea or on the Adrianna Papell website which is US based. I purchased a couple of AP dresses for DD’s wedding which was black tie. Both column dresses with lots of sparkle detail and both very easy to wear.

The last black tie wedding I went to, I wore an evening dress from Adrianna Papell. The one before that was from Ralph Lauren.

tolerable · 07/12/2023 21:39

ok-changed mind(would still wanna try on)but THIS might be more column,is incredibly "plain"but standout.could be so versatile depend how choose to accessorise.https://www.solacelondon.com/collections/fall-winter-23/products/the-gaia-midi-dress-in-pink

The Gaia Midi Dress in Pink

The Gaia Midi Dress in Pink

Solace London

https://www.solacelondon.com/collections/fall-winter-23/products/the-gaia-midi-dress-in-pink

Lizzieregina · 07/12/2023 21:52

@semideponent at big city weddings in the US, black is by far the most common choice. Probably 80% of women wear it.

For a glam NY city wedding it will be common!

DiamandaTheGreat · 07/12/2023 22:07

@bubblecity that last Reformation one (Garden) is gorgeous!!

Laura992 · 07/12/2023 22:36

I was married in an evening wedding at a cathedral in Chicago. The majority of my female guests wore mid-calf dresses, but formal. I personally would not do ballgown. My wedding was in the Fall.

Greenly3 · 08/12/2023 07:30

That’s beautiful x

Original poster
Lemongrassicedtea · 08/12/2023 10:07

Some excellent overnight suggestions, thank you everyone. I really like this Adrianna Papell dress ( who I think @CarolinaInTheMorning ) suggested. It seems to bridge the gap between cathedral and evening wear. What do we think? Either that or it’s completely wrong for both.
https://www.adriannapapell.com/collections/wedding-guest-dresses/products/hand-beaded-ankle-length-dress-in-night-plum-ap1e209645

Hand-Beaded Ankle-Length Dress In Night Plum

Be party ready in an instant in our effortlessly chic dress that gets treated to allover dazzling hand beadwork. Details we love: the clean v-neckline with sheer trim and the soft pleats along the skirt for added movement and sway. Wearable on repeat t...

https://www.adriannapapell.com/collections/wedding-guest-dresses/products/hand-beaded-ankle-length-dress-in-night-plum-ap1e209645

OP posts:
MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 08/12/2023 11:40

Lemongrassicedtea · 08/12/2023 10:07

Some excellent overnight suggestions, thank you everyone. I really like this Adrianna Papell dress ( who I think @CarolinaInTheMorning ) suggested. It seems to bridge the gap between cathedral and evening wear. What do we think? Either that or it’s completely wrong for both.
https://www.adriannapapell.com/collections/wedding-guest-dresses/products/hand-beaded-ankle-length-dress-in-night-plum-ap1e209645

I like it as a dress, but - if I'm being brutally honest - I think it's less sophisticated than the norm for this type of wedding. It's a bit Monsoon-y.

I would go with one of the column dresses suggested upthread, in a plain dark colour.

Birdcar · 08/12/2023 11:49

My guess would be that it's a two outfit affair - one for the Church and a dressier evening outfit for the reception.

Sconehenge · 08/12/2023 12:44

Lemongrassicedtea · 08/12/2023 10:07

Some excellent overnight suggestions, thank you everyone. I really like this Adrianna Papell dress ( who I think @CarolinaInTheMorning ) suggested. It seems to bridge the gap between cathedral and evening wear. What do we think? Either that or it’s completely wrong for both.
https://www.adriannapapell.com/collections/wedding-guest-dresses/products/hand-beaded-ankle-length-dress-in-night-plum-ap1e209645

This is pretty but not very fashionable - you want something that says GOWN.

thedevilinablackdress · 08/12/2023 12:50

Sconehenge · 08/12/2023 12:44

This is pretty but not very fashionable - you want something that says GOWN.

Show quote history

You also want something that says YOU
I get the urge to adhere to the dress code and broadly fit in, but it isn't cosplay as a New Yorker. More glam and evening-y than most British weddings seems to be the vibe.

Sconehenge · 08/12/2023 12:54

@thedevilinablackdress cosplay as a New Yorker made me laugh 😂 yes OP obviously be yourself, but having been very outdressed by New Yorkers at a wedding this year I wish I’d known what the general vibe was so I could have dressed accordingly and taken the opportunity to properly dress up.

thedevilinablackdress · 08/12/2023 13:00

Agree one should take the opportunity to Dress Up @Sconehenge 😁
If I'm ever invited to a glam event, I'll be looking into renting something that I'd never be able to afford to buy, or indeed be likely to wear again. (Since I finally decluttered that floor sweeping silk velvet Ghost dress that hung around in my wardrobe waiting and waiting....)

Original poster
Lemongrassicedtea · 08/12/2023 13:04

while I think it’s fabulous, I cannot pull off that myTheresa gown or anything like it. I would feel like a total plum and I want to feel comfortable as well as appropriate. I will definitely be playing it safe - I want to enjoy the experience and that means choosing a dress that both fits in and I feel I’m wearing it, rather than it wearing me, if you see what I mean. More glam than a normal British wedding but not out and out red carpet seems a good middle course for me

OP posts: