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Is this outfit too much for an Irish church wedding in May?

369 replies

ahsurelookit · 16/03/2026 16:46

Another wedding guest one sorry!!

I am part of the grooms family. I will be doing one church reading and will be in a few pictures. I bought this and loved it. But now I am thinking it is too much? I am a size 14, 5'6'' tall, my bum/ bust measurements are equal and my waist is defined. I'm 36

Irish church wedding in May

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OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
LuciferTheMorningStar · 17/03/2026 18:47

krustykittens · 17/03/2026 18:22

"We don’t have to comply with England (fyi) - do you think England sets the standard?🙄😁"

That really is the nub of the problem. There are people on here asking what shoes would go with a dress I frankly wouldn't throw around the immersion, much less wear to a wedding, but I wouldn't be so rude to say so. But to claim your views are the benchmark - sweet Jesus, how utterly unaware are you?!

And some people really cannot seem to take the hint and shut the fuck up about what they perceive as acceptable being 'manners' and the 'rules'.

Edited

A very misguided superiority complex. Fair enough, if the OP were to ask what to wear to an English church wedding. But she isn't asking that.

I'm not Irish, but my brother is married to a wonderful, lovely Irishwoman. Our weddings are quite similar to Irish ones, in fact. Ours traditionally lasts three days, although more modern ones are often shorter. They're great fun, yes, there's lots of dancing, drinking, singing, games and entertainment. Lots of food. The wedding is fully catered by the bridal party, none of that 'pay for your drinks' nonsense. People spend a lot, and people gift a lot. And go all out with their clothes; it's very usual to see full-on evening gowns, although it's not a strict requirement. But it's very, very dressy.

Frankly, I'm often absolutely gobsmacked by the dresses/jumpsuits recommended for weddings here. The sorry-looking, drab, floral and dowdy midi nighties from Rixo or similar. They're not 'classy'. They're drab and more suitable for drinks and lunch (and even that, depending on where you're going, if the place isn't very nice) than for a wedding. Stuff like Nobody's Child and similar, I wear those cotton dresses to the beach or a supermarket, not a wedding. And no, you can't 'accessorise' a cotton or linen sack, even full on diamonds won't help with that.

OP's dress still would be a bit too simple for our weddings, but with hair, makeup and jewellery, good shoes, etc, it would be fine. No one would bat an eyelid at its colour, shoulders or think it's 'tarty' or whatever other medieval nonsense. Irish weddings I've been to - same, as was confirmed by multiple actually Irish posters on here.

But no, apparently she needs a 'classy' floral sack. Oh yes, and a fascinator, can't forget those.

EleanorMc67 · 17/03/2026 18:51

DappledThings · 16/03/2026 17:08

Beyond me why anyone cares about that. Lots of people wore bright colours to my wedding. It didn't ruin any "look" because the look I was going for was "people having a nice time" so anything goes.

The colour is absolutely fine unless bride is ridiculously precious.

The colour is absolutely fine unless bride is ridiculously precious.

Seems to be par for the course these days ... Control freakery gone mad!

krustykittens · 17/03/2026 18:52

@LuciferTheMorningStar I was actually trying to think of any other cultures where under dressing for weddings in casual clothes is the norm and I can't think of any of the top of my head - I have been to Nigerian, Caribbean and South East Asian weddings and they are full on glamour.

damelza · 17/03/2026 19:12

Wait until the Puritans hear how much we give for a wedding present in Ireland.. 😳

They seem to think a tenner in a card is more than enough. Work that one out and you get the real mindset.

sunsetsites · 17/03/2026 19:13

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But is it relevant that you were taught something in another country? Don’t you think that fact is actually incredibly relevant?

krustykittens · 17/03/2026 19:14

damelza · 17/03/2026 19:12

Wait until the Puritans hear how much we give for a wedding present in Ireland.. 😳

They seem to think a tenner in a card is more than enough. Work that one out and you get the real mindset.

😂

sunsetsites · 17/03/2026 19:15

😂 well that’s a whole other topic!! @damelza

A wedding invite is treated as such an imposition in England, the casual dressing and barely a card really reinforces that.

damelza · 17/03/2026 19:20

sunsetsites · 17/03/2026 19:15

😂 well that’s a whole other topic!! @damelza

A wedding invite is treated as such an imposition in England, the casual dressing and barely a card really reinforces that.

Edited

Sure, but the culture of small wedding gifts leaves a lot more to spend on the wedding gear surely! I'm not sure the choices are great though looking at some of the mad suggestions I've seen recently. Sacks of shit, or satin nightgowns being some of them. 😊

maggiesleapp · 17/03/2026 19:22

@damelzaI have seen other threads on here not that long ago where £50-£100 is deemed generous! Be cut to the knickers giving that in NI/Ireland and we have been to plenty.
Not to repeat myself the OP dress is spot on. At the wedding we are at, at the weekend in NI the style was amazing. strapless, sleeveless every style you could think of and this was no traveller wedding either. There was a woman wearing a red dress and I was so jealous, she looked amazing, I may or may not have told her so more than once. The craic was mighty, this was a very good friends wedding, and outside of family weddings I cant remember enjoying one so much.
Love seeing all the style at weddings here.

damelza · 17/03/2026 19:26

@maggiesleapp So glad you had a blast. There is nothing on earth like a good Irish wedding. Nothing. But the three day events are a challenge sometimes! Still, you get into the groove and go with the flow. It's all good fun until Auntie Mary gets sloshed and is carried off to bed or something before she insults her new in laws from the other side of the town.

NarwhalBuddy · 17/03/2026 19:43

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Moomoo75 · 17/03/2026 20:31

Irish here. That dress and colour are perfect for an Irish wedding. Wear a shawl over your shoulders if you want for the reading.
I'm shocked by the differing opinions between the 2 countries!

EggCustardTart · 17/03/2026 21:15

I think it's fine for an Irish wedding, regardless of whether you're doing a reading.

There are some very strange responses on here. Some of the PPs don't seem like they've set foot in Ireland, never mind been to an Irish wedding.

Morepositivemum · 17/03/2026 21:42

I’ve seen a lot more revealing and vivacious at christenings!!!

Foofedifiknow · 17/03/2026 21:54

It perfect 👌 for an Irish wedding
Stunning Great price too!

You’ll fit right in and won’t look under dressed as some English/Scottish guest inadvertently can do sometimes- I have witnessed a couple of guests at a big Irish wedding being told it was a private event & asked to leave the wedding reception as they were suspected to be a gate crashers with their too casual attire 😝 !

YourOnMute · 17/03/2026 22:12

I've been to Catholic, CofI, registry office and traveller weddings in Ireland and your dress is perfectly appropriate for them all. Reading included.
Enjoy it!

Lavender14 · 17/03/2026 22:17

I think it's lovely, all I would say is that if you're family and likely to be in the bridal pictures it's a very vibrant dress and could overshadow colour schemes such as a light green.

Chichi London have a good range of boob friendly wedding guest dresses maybe have a look there?

Mushypeasandchipstogo · 17/03/2026 22:23

i am married to an Irishman and have been to plenty of weddings there in my time . I could tell you that outfit would be frowned upon big time by my in-laws! (They all come from a posh part of Dublin though.)

Itiswhysofew · 17/03/2026 22:31

I live in a village in Ireland, next to the church and see all kinds of amazing outfits at weddings. This dress is fine & nothing out of the ordinary.

Doteycat · 17/03/2026 23:08

Mushypeasandchipstogo · 17/03/2026 22:23

i am married to an Irishman and have been to plenty of weddings there in my time . I could tell you that outfit would be frowned upon big time by my in-laws! (They all come from a posh part of Dublin though.)

The posh part??
What are you insinuating?
More of this BS.
Wtf is wrong with people.

Leahrosemary · 17/03/2026 23:23

I mean, there is a posh part of Dublin?
And of the other cities too, but most notably Dublin.

Butterknife · 18/03/2026 00:59

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It’s a question about an Irish Wedding - there’s no not. You should have been taught to respect other people’s cultures and try to understand how they approach their celebrations.

NarwhalBuddy · 18/03/2026 03:40

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watchingthishtread · 18/03/2026 05:29

There are no rules about shoulders in Irish churches. I'm always surprised when I read that on here. You could wear strapless if you liked.

Neighbours87 · 18/03/2026 05:29

I’m Irish people go all out for Irish weddings. Especially if your close family and doing a reading. It is perfectly suitable. Maybe post on craicnet to get a better gauge