What to wear to a registry office wedding and pub lunch

[KlaraSundown]

Some good friends of mine, after 15 or so years together, are getting married next month. They're having a registry office wedding/pub lunch followed by a bigger party later in the year.

I'm having no trouble deciding what to wear to the party, but would like to treat myself to a nice outfit (that I can wear again) to the registry office bit.

I'm a bit stumped though as it's obviously not as fancy and formal as a big wedding, but I'm keen to make an appropriate effort.

I'm in my early 50s and tend to shop mainly in The White Company and M&S, but I don't think either of those would have the right look, so any
advice or links would be very welcome!

As you don’t mention your size or height I’ll assume sort of average!

This would be a rather splendid outfit (if city registry office and relatively grand lunch). And both pieces wearable for ever afterwards.

Lisou skirt and blouse

Something from

Klements? Not necessarily this one but they all have presence.

Wildcard:

Horror Vacui dress

I love the Klements dress, thank you!

I've also been inspired by the brand Nobody's Child, which M&S now stock. Their stuff looks way more expensive than their prices.

A couple from John Lewis

I love the Ghost dress, thank you.

If it were me I might use the event as an opportunity to buy one fabulous thing that I’d enjoy wearing more generally. Like this

Rohe silk shirt

The Guardian this morning has got a picture feature on small dress brands, you might get a lead there. I was going to say Farm Rio, and they have a sale on atm, they are featured and linked in the article.
www.theguardian.com/fashion/gallery/2024/aug/24/love-your-dress-10-dress-brands-to-know-in-pictures

Oh … Could you start a thread on that article, @heldinadream ??

@HoxtHun I could but I'm not that interested really, I just wanted OP to see Farm Rio and thought she might get another couple of ideas from it too. I suppose I'm more interested in seeing someone find something they like than in fashion in general.
But feel free to start one! 🙂

you mentioned nobodies child
this would be great , dressy enough for a wedding but wearable for other occasions too

Have you seen it in person, @KrazyboutKillian? I was persuaded that Nobody’s Child must be worth recommending by all the links on S&B - but the clothes seemed disappointingly thin and droopy and … unexceptional when I passed through a Jon Loowizz (they’re not using me for advertising) last week. But I didn’t notice that particular dress, so 🤷‍♀️.

(Essentially I would be inclined to spend a little more, or hire or buy pre-owned, if you can afford it and want something special.)

@HoxtHun , no but I have seen other dresses by them in a similar style
worth a try though , but obviously if your budget is higher then there are other lovely dresses out there

Thanks for all the recommendations!

I must say I couldn't understand how Nobody's Child could look so nice in photos but have such low prices...maybe I'll swerve that idea.

I'm prepared to spend a lot more if it's got longevity, though my sister has suggested this M&S dress - it's very me, but I'm wondering if it's too black for a wedding??

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-embroidered-midaxi-beach-dress/p/clp60687861?intid=mobileappppdpshare

Is the wedding on a beach?

No the wedding is in a town centre registry office (which also happens to be five minutes from the beach) with a restaurant lunch afterwards.