How would you style this dress for an evening reception?

[NotDarkGothicMama]

DH and I are going to a colleague's evening do for their wedding in May. I have this dress that has been sitting in my wardrobe waiting for an occasion to wear it, but no idea how to style it. Makeup, nails, shoes, jewellery, bag... no clue.

The reception is at a very posh hotel in Scotland. I don't wear high heels and the reception involves a ceilidh, so comfortable footwear is a must. Looking at a budget of £200 for the shoes, jewellery and bag. I'm 5'4", size 10-12, mouse blonde shoulder-length hair, usually found in jeans and a hoodie. My hair is as flat as a pancake so will be pinned up in an up do to keep it out of the way.

Any help from people with an iota of dress sense would be very much appreciated!

Glad you got sorted! Hope it's a fine day for the wedding - & that you survive the ceilidh unscathed!! 😁

... Lost for words ... (apart from these)

Ready! Thanks everyone :)

You look beautiful

You look great, OP! And that eyeliner/shadow recommended by @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie is perfect!

Enjoy ... you'll be glad of a cover up later, as it's not exactly a balmy spring evening in Edinburgh, is it?! 😁

You look lovely have a great evening

Wow! You look fabulous! So lovely to see the result of how a s&b thread comes together. That dress is perfect on you. 💚 Hope you had an amazing evening.

I managed to leave the wrap in the cloakroom at the end of the night but was able to retrieve it this morning. Luckily it wasn't too chilly, just a little bit of rain.

I felt fabulous and had many compliments on my outfit. Well done MN S&B crew! The MUA loved the creaminess of the eye liner and getting out her barely-used green eyeshadow to go with it. Apparently most people ask for natural shades and it's fun to get a more unusual request now and again.