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XP: Is this okay for formal wedding?

catemegcatemeg
1000 Comments
in Not Engaged Yet
I put this in "Etiquette" since it seemed the most appropriate place for it, but haven't gotten a lot of responses, so wanted to see what you ladies thought:

I'm off to a wedding this weekend, but am rethinking the dress I'm planning to bring.

The wedding invitation did NOT say "black tie" but did set a rather oppulent mood (gold and burgundy, embossed text, calligraphy on the envelope, etc.).  It's taking place on the beach in San Diego at a very nice hotel.  Ceremony is on the beach, reception is inside the hotel.

Then I just saw on their wedding website it says "formal attire is required".  My boyfriend will be wearing a suit anyway, since he can't afford a tux (and it didn't say "black tie").  But now I'm thinking the dress I'm wearing might not be formal enough.

It looks something like this but in pink - Calvin Klein, knee length:



And I was going to wear it with shoes sorta like these:

In this material:


(the shoes are the same material, but more of a peep-toe with a heel than a sandle, and they match the actual dress - the pink is the same color)

The style is sort of like this but in the fabric above:





Thoughts?  Is it acceptable, or should I pull out the good ol' 'little black dress'?
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Re: XP: Is this okay for formal wedding?

  • heyimbrenheyimbren member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Cate - I think that looks just formal enough, considering the ceremony is also on the beach. It's bright and fun, but still looks sophisticated.

    I think you'll look great, and very put together. And like you said, the invitation never said "black tie". From the information given, I think that's appropriate. And cute ;)
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  • KatyRoseMKatyRoseM member
    1000 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    I think thats fine.  I believe that traditionally formal attire was longer, or a bit more formal than that, but now that is fine.  If you wanted to go a bit more formal that would also be fine. 
    image
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  • GreenPepperBurgerGreenPepperBurger
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I really like the dress, and you can do it up with some nice jewelry. I'm not so sure about the shoes - I think a more formal wedding would call for closed back shoes. But I might be crazy.
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  • catemegcatemeg
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    GreenPepper, the shoes are actually closed back - those are the same material and same heel height, but mine are a little different, more like this style but in that fabric:




    They're just so freaking comfortable, I can't imagine dancing for hours in any of the other shoes I have!

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  • GreenPepperBurgerGreenPepperBurger
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I love those! You've got a winning outfit, IMO.
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  • loopy82loopy82 member
    Ninth Anniversary 1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Formal attire required. Does this mean that they won't allow people in that aren't dressed formally?

    I like your outfit. I think its great.
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  • breezerbbreezerb member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    LOVE the dress. I think it is beautiful and you will rock it!
    imageDaisypath Anniversary tickers

    *No pony, no I do!*
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  • leia1979leia1979 member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I think that's fine. I don't really know what constitues a "formal" wedding, and I've seen a range of guest attire.

    As long as you don't show up in jeans, I think you're fine.

    image

    I haz a planning bio
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  • MelG06MelG06 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011

    I think it's fine too. Just add some classy jewelry, wear solid color shoes, and do your hair in a very formal, classic style.  I think the pink will go over fine since it's summertime.

    Photobucket
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  • catemegcatemeg
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Haha, thanks guys!  I just wasn't sure what to expect - I mean, it's on a beach, so it can't be too stuffy, right?  I'd look (and feel) pretty stupid in a long dress prom-gown style.

    And as far as putting "Formal Attire Required", I have no idea if they'd turn people away!  The bride is the daughter of a Russian oil baron, so maybe they'll have crazy bouncers? Totally prepping myself for all the Russian vodka!  Hoping they have caviar... yummy!

    My hair is chin length, so there's really only one way for me to wear it, but I was planning on wearing pearls (or diamonds?)
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  • jeanacorinajeanacorina
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    You can never go wrong with pearls, in my opinion.
    Anniversary
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  • GreenPepperBurgerGreenPepperBurger
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Ooh, Russian parties are INSANE. You will be partying until 7am.
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  • catemegcatemeg
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_xp-whats-diference-between-formal-black-tie?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:368703a7-77d2-481f-bacd-2ee5a755768fPost:99a43a68-6d45-45fc-b020-6564f09ab186">Re: XP: Is this okay for formal wedding?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Ooh, Russian parties are INSANE. You will be partying until 7am.
    Posted by GreenPepperBurger[/QUOTE]

    Apparently the hotel closes the wedding reception at midnight, but the bride and groom have rented two party buses that can fit 36 people on each to take us out for the rest of the night...

    I'm just a little afraid! <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-embarassed.gif" border="0" alt="Embarassed" title="Embarassed" />
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  • loves2shop4shoesloves2shop4shoes member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    edited December 2011
    Your outfit totally qualifies as formal.  It does not say "black tie", in which case you may have to opt for a long gown.


    image

    image
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  • hetshuphetshup member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    1) My mother totally tried on that dress for her MOB dress (she has a kickass figure, so it was ok)

    2) I think that's fine, black tie + SD relaxes things a bit

    3) I've totally worn a bright yellow knee length dress to a black tie wedding and I got a ton of compliments

    4) Before selecting a bring color like pink try to figure out what the BM are wearing.

    5) Well, I can't remember my other point. But you should remember to drink water.
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  • MelG06MelG06 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011

    Pearls!  They make for such an innocent look... which you may need after some of that russian vodka Innocent

    Photobucket
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  • Goldlie11Goldlie11
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    It looks fine to me.  And technically, the Bride and Groom shouldn't be telling people what kind of attire to wear unless the venue requires it.  
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