Fancy US wedding

[Lemongrassicedtea]

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

More sophisticated than Monsoon but less extravagant than Killing Eve - is where I think I’m at

The second Vampire's Wife (the navy velvet) is to my eyes the best suggestion by miles.

@thedevilinablackdress hiring is a great idea. I’ve had some success with HURR lately.

You do you @Lemongrassicedtea! Always feel comfortable no matter what. But my advice would be to steer clear anything “midi” and go for full length. Especially as you sound beautifully tall, so you’ll be able to pull full length off well.

@MontagueLeo’s Vampire’s Wife suggestions are all fabulous and will be perfect for winter as well.

Your first Solace choice is better. Some great dresses on that site but VW possibly easier to wear.

I really don't like that. I've never seen a dress from that brand that didn't achieve the remarkable feat of being dull and over fussy at the same time. As another poster said, it's basically Monsoon (and bad Monsoon at that)

There are quite a few Papell dresses that are not fussy, but some do tend to be a bit understated, which to some might seem dull. And some can veer off into Mother of the Bride territory. Speaking of understated, that is the direction I would go in and that makes an easier transition from late afternoon to evening. Floor-length, solid color, column style or similar, not a lot of embellishment. Ralph Lauren (and the brand has different price points) would be where I would look first.

Several posters have suggested two dresses, one for church, and one for the reception. This would not be expected, especially with your DH wearing a tuxedo to the church, and in a large city where people will be staying in different hotels.

https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/peacock-manor-silk-satin-gala-dress-R549613006.html?utm_term=549613006&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD4IbFGz659f31-0idGTHZHpGFNa3&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiePm1YCAgwMVC-jtCh1_MQr2EAQYBSABEgJK1_D_BwE

I think this could work for a late afternoon/ evening crossover event. It has sleeves for warmth, and it’s a beautiful fabric

Or this one…

https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/nouveau-ianthe-gala-silk-dress-000799002.html

another few of my favs... love this brand...

https://thestonecoldfox.com/collections/dresses/products/lani-slip

https://thestonecoldfox.com/collections/dresses/products/montague-gown-stainedglass

https://www.revolve.com/stone-cold-fox-x-revolve-alyssa-gown-in-black/dp/SCOL-WD213/?d=Womens&navsrc=

@bubblecity that Alyssa dress you posted is lovely 🥰. Wish I was a skinny tall person with a fancy wedding to attend!

I like this, and it looks warm! https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/badgley-mischka/dresses/gowns/draped-scuba-gown/1647597320721649

Love this one: https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/mikael-aghal/dresses/maxi-dress/gathered-crepe-maxi-dress/1647597302144188

Not sure what the quality would be like but love the shape! https://clubllondon.com/products/magdelena-navy-asymmetric-cape-maxi-dress-cl129887015?variant=40582592069674

Agree.

It’s like a thousand other MN occasion wear / MoB thread offerings. This wedding sounds like a reason to go all
out cool. Understated, classy and a bit more special.

Love this one suggested upthread, I think it would be perfect
https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/badgley-mischka/dresses/gowns/draped-scuba-gown/1647597320721649

Call me a fabric snob, but that’s an awful lot of money for polyester. Nice style though

I like this one. It’s simple and elegant.

https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/crepe-off-the-shoulder-gown-617124.html?dwvar617124_colorname=Black&cgid=women-clothing-jumpsuits&webcat=women%2Fclothing%2Fwomen%20clothing%20jumpsuits#webcat=women%7Cclothing%7Cwomen-clothing-jumpsuits&start=1&cgid=women-clothing-jumpsuits

Not in cream though obviously

I think that would be perfect with a velvet jacket for the service. It also would shorten well if you don't think you'd ever have the need for a long dress again.

I wonder how easy that would be to walk in as it doesn't appear to have a slit?

How about this, comes in various colours:

And link! https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/satin-long-dress-navy-blue-tied-back/

Yes, that would be perfect. I'd go with a lighter or bright wrap such as wine, hot pink, gold, etc. rather than black.

I would simply ask. Huge variation in dress codes . You are not from the US so no one is going to mind you asking. I am often surprised by the level of detail given in US invitations about what to wear .

Long, evening style dress.

I went to a US groom/Uk bride wedding in Connecticut.

His side were going all-Oscar, hers were all-Gloucestershire.

Hilarious!

Bloody love that Ralph.

Channel Carolyn Bissette Kennedy OP.

I'm an America from the northeast.@CarolinaInTheMorning is correct. Black tie means a floor length gown and in this case I'd stick to a darker colour. But gown does not mean a poofy ballgown.

I don't think you would be expected to change outfits. I went to a wedding a cathedral in a major east coast city, followed by a reception in a fancy hotel. Even with the long "Catholic gap" that you usually get, no one changed.

If you're still unsure, this is a good summary. https://www.brides.com/story/wedding-dress-code-explained

I would point out though that, in my experience, if someone has gone to the trouble to specify a dress code in the US, especially something like black tie, it is not just a suggestion and pretty much everyone will follow it. If the bride has asked for floor length gowns, wear something floor length.