Need help deciphering dress code!

[Rituals1]

I have a wedding next weekend which has quite a complex dress code; from what I can surmise it is ‘American black tie’ (the bride is American) however the venue is outside in Scotland so this is also stipulated in the invite. The bride has requested only satin, silk, crepe or taffeta.

Can anyone please help me decipher the dress code and suggest a suitable dress? I’m pregnant, 16 weeks but showing as it’s not my first baby. I don’t want to spend much at all if I can help it so will happily trawl vinted but I don’t even know what style of dress I’m looking for! Everything long and in chiffon or satin looks bridesmaid-y to me.

I'm assuming from that description, full length evening dress/ball gowns. Not easy with a week to go and pregnant unfortunately. What's the weather forecast like for the venue next week?

Eugh I hate this. Why make everyone's lives harder when they are already spending a fortune to attend your wedding?! I'd go for a long maxi dress, probably empire line as it will be forgiving and comfortable for you.

At the moment the forecast is dry but not particularly warm! Plus it’s Scotland so likely to rain.

I can't believe they've specified what material your dress has to be made from. Just when you thought you'd heard everything! I realise that's not helping you to work out what to wear, but my flabber is well and truly ghasted!

I will be hunted for saying this but!!!
if you are pregnant you are probably not going to wear it again you could have a look on shein! I have a wedding and expected to pay a fortune for outfit as close family relative and I got mine for £14.00 on shein. It will be worn again as another relative has a wedding and she is going to wear it too this summer.

God I hate people who do outdoor black tie weddings.

i wouldn’t wear a maxi as they can be a bit casual.

I would look for something in a non-pastel colour. I would actually argue against going full length and go midi instead, as it will most likely rain and the hem will get soaking.

it’s difficult because some dark colours like dark navy or black are wholly inappropriate for a summer wedding

imo a floaty maxi dress is too casual for a black tie wedding.

avoid stiletto heels too, as they will sink into the grass, and bring a pair of flats for later on.

Maybe something like this?

Oh lord I hate these types of wedding invites with such prescriptive dress codes. Just a long shift dress in one of the said fabrics I guess unless you can get out of going! I think that lots of American wedding guests look like bridesmaids tbh - compared to UK wedding guests anyway. I think that's just the look!

There's been a few threads about wedding dress codes on MN lately like the one where guests were told they could only wear black and white and no nail polish as the bride wanted a monochrome wedding fgs!

I think it's bloody ridiculous and I'd either refuse to go or wear pink corduroy.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su513665/at3355#at3355
This might fit the bill?

Can you find out if it has to be long? That sounds barking mad trailing round in the mud in the pouring rain and freezing cold which is making me wonder if it’s cocktail length, which might be easier anyway.

I think I'd look at full length evening dresses on Vinted however will it arrive on time? The other option is have a look in charity shops at prom dresses but probably not the best time of the year for that as it is Prom season. Otherwise you are going to be paying a lot for a dress in the stipulated fabrics in a high street shop.

The invite says long or midi dresses are ok. I’m not short so a midi dress would probably be fine. My DH is having to hire a full tux!

Renting a dress is also another possibility

https://byrotation.com/collections/bump-friendly?srsltid=AfmBOorocgUUjryUR4FqUa1eGMTo6Lxaid6yIwI5PgvO6rNVlsb43ajh

I’ve looked at renting a dress but it still works out quite expensive. And I still have no idea what style works!

I went to a 40th birthday party back in April and the guy's DW was wearing a full-length black lacy dress. £18 from Shein. She looked amazing!

Oh god. Would be a hard no from me. Who are these people with prescriptive dress codes! Material for gods sake!

@Rituals1 have you googled "American Black tie"? They are all full length, evening dresses not at all like usual UK wedding styles, very much like bridesmaids dresses.

They have literally specified bridesmaidy style by staying taffeta/chiffon etc, so don't worry about that angle.
In fact don't worry about it at all, dress codes are nonsense and will be interpreted quite differently by many of the guests. Wear something you like and feel comfortable in.

I’ve googled! But to make it more confusing. At the risk of totally outing myself the invite then says ‘It’s the type of black tie for toasting champagne in a country garden or being thrown around the dance floor’. So then I’m not sure if that means to err on the side of casual.

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/evenglow-empire-line-long-satin-dress?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&color=42294&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18661186469&gclid=Cj0KCQjw953DBhCyARIsANhIZoZ7eYqGNq14CI24Rxtoga_hrLPkOg5A5i8lCjjorydyFqqouKj5CkYaAlfXEALw_wcB

Agree, dress code sounds ridiculous and ott. However here is a link to a satin dress, Seasalt.

I wouldn’t be spending a lot. How about

Link didn’t work sorry. Trying again

HM maternity maxi dress

What's your budget @Rituals1?

I do think it's ridiculous to specify fabric. You'd be lucky to find anything in silk for under £300.

Sod that I wouldn't be going especially if I was only wearing the dress once.

@Rituals1 that is even more confusing! I think I'd find a maxi dress I was comfortable in especially being pregnant and wear it; what's going to happen once you are there?

@MissFritton65 well I might find myself excluded from the photos I suppose but if they asked me to leave I would probably be relieved! They are DHs friends not mine but I want to go as it’s important to him.

That is lovely. Plain so you will be able to wear it again suitable for when you are pregnant and when you are not. And £40