What to wear as wedding celebrant?

[ncforthisone345]

I've been asked to be a celebrant for a friend's wedding next month. I had already planned a nice dress to wear but now I am doubting whether it's appropriate. It's a sapphire blue, slightly irridescent high neck shift dress which goes down to the calf and has a slit to just above the knee.

I've looked at pictures of official celebrants online and they tend to wear something very modest and understated. The last thing I want to do is draw undue attention to myself stood at the front. However, if I wear something more "celebranty" I worry I'll spend the rest of the night looking very boring and dowdy next to the rest of my friends. We're mid thirties and they will all be wearing something much more glam.

Unfortunately I don't really have a jacket that will go with the colour of the dress and, given they're expensive, I'd rather not buy one just for this occasion. Any thoughts? Could I do an outfit change after the ceremony or is that OTT as well?

As a registrar, which is attached to Local Authority, we have a sort of dress code for wedding ceremonies. It is very low key, as we are just officials who don't know the couple and go away after the ceremony.

The women generally wear a dress with a black jacket, although in high summer, just a dress. I have been known to wear trousers, too.

Your dress sounds lovely and appropriate, especially since you will also be a guest. You probably won't need a jacket.

Does any association or organisation govern your celebrant status and ceremonies?
if not, then ultimately I would be guided by the bride's wishes.

Thanks so much for your reply, that's really helpful. I am a "celebrant" in the sense that they'll be doing the real legal bit in a registry office the day before and so this will be an unofficial ceremony. They still want to do the vows and exchange of rings etc though so it'll be fairly traditional.

I’m a wedding harpist and love dressing up for weddings, but am careful not to distract from the bride. All the celebrants I’ve worked with have worn smart plain clothing with no patterns.

You're a friend and she has asked you as her friend, not, presumably, as an official / professional celebrant?

Your dress sounds great - I imagine any dress that would be suitable for that wedding in general will be suitable for your role.

I am doing this for my family member soon. I'll be wearing the same dress I would have worn as a guest. I'm not going to wear something boring on purpose. Frankly the bride is so stunning I couldn't draw attention off her if I tried 😆

Thanks everyone for the replies. You've made me feel a lot better about this! I just didn't want anyone thinking I had picked a "look at me" outfit but it sounds like I'm overthinking!