Is my dress appropriate?

kdougan1 · September 2010

I bought my dress two months after my FI proposed because I just fell in love with it at a bridal show. We have been engaged now for 3 years and have finally set a date for Easter weekend. We are having an outdoor wedding at a local National Forest camp ground pavilion and we are going for a fairly low key semi-formal feel. However my dress is a large formal ball gown with a chapel train. I am afraid that I will look ridiculous at an outdoor wedding in this large dress. Am I silly for thinking this? Do you think I'll be fine or should we try to find an indoor area? The picture below is very similar to my dress but the black decorations are actually ivory lace.

jennaglenn85 · September 2010

I agree with ILoveMilkDuds, beautiful dress but not the correct setting.

sreitme · September 2010

The dress is beautiful!

I know you mentioned you'll have a low-key feel, but have you considered trying to incorporate some finer details to your venue? You could add a chandelier over your cake or lace to the tables? It's hard for me to judge whether this would work at your venue, but it might help to make your dress fit in better.

If it's truly rustic, you may feel a bit out of place. But how you feel is what really matters. If you love the dress and the venue, then just do it.

[Deleted User] · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_dress-appropriate?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:fb410a7d-9ae6-44de-bf47-bcf8fb8f8016Post:77047254-705c-463e-831f-9c98a0ee296b">Re: Is my dress appropriate?</a>:
[QUOTE]The dress is beautiful! I know you mentioned you'll have a low-key feel, but have you considered trying to incorporate some finer details to your venue? You could add a chandelier over your cake or lace to the tables? It's hard for me to judge whether this would work at your venue, but it might help to make your dress fit in better. If it's truly rustic, you may feel a bit out of place. <strong>But how you feel is what really matters. If you love the dress and the venue, then just do it.</strong>
Posted by sreitme[/QUOTE]

I agree with PP. my dress clashes with my "rustic" style venue, and i dont give a damn!

[Deleted User] · September 2010

Although a bit too dressy/formal for a laid back wedding, if you love the dress, I say go for it. It is your wedding and you want to be happy with what you are wearing.

TheCranberry · September 2010

I think it's too fancy for your venue, but I also think you should wear what you feel beautiful in!! Are you getting married outside? I'd be concerned about the cathedral length train dragging on the ground. Is it possible to have it bustled even for the ceremony?

ETA: Just re-read your post and see that you ARE getting married outside. Reading is fundamental!

portialoveschris · September 2010

I think it would be more inappropriate if you showed up in shorts and a t-shirt! Bridal gowns are NEVER inappropriate at a wedding when it's your wedding! No one is going to say, "Geez, I can't believe the bride is dressed so fancy!" You're fine. Your dress is beautiful and you'll be gorgeous.

Cheers!

KnaijaQueen · September 2010

It's a pretty dress, but too formal for a rustic, low key wedding. But you wear what you feel beautiful in.

Cleo7 · September 2010

It could depend on what your interpretation of "rustic low-key" is.

For some folks, a rustic low-key wedding still means having china, an elegant meal and many of the traditional wedding trimmings. For others, rustic, low-key means paper plates and potluck. If your wedding is more of the former, I'd say your dress is fine. If it's more of the latter, it might be a bit much.

However, if you LOVE it and can't imagine another dress making you as happy, go for it. You'd regret NOT wearing the dress of your dreams FAR more than you'd regret being slightly overdressed at your own wedding.

Also, look at photos of other weddings for inspiration - you might be surprised to see how many brides wear "formal" dresses to "rustic" weddings.

Do you have any pics of your venue you could share? I've seen some park pavilions that could easily be dressed up to be pretty fancy!

It's a gorgeous dress! best wishes.

HeatherBob · September 2010

Even though you have said your wedding is going to be low key - you should dress however you want too! It's YOUR wedding! You can always incorporate some details to make the outdoors a little more elegant. Love the dress.

kpwedkk · September 2010

I love your dress, and from the previous posters, can you get the train part of your dress bustled up, so that it's not dragging on the ground?

brianabrad · September 2010

It's your day. If you love it wear it! I personally don't think anyone will give it a second thought. Typically its only the bride that obsesses over things.

BEnnis_5481396 · September 2010

What if you wore that dress for the ceremony and buy a more comfortable, less formal dress for the reception? I usually wouldn't advise a bride to buy two dresses, but if you've already spent the money on this dress and love it that much, then keep it incorporated into your wedding. This way, you get to feel absolutely stunning for the ceremony and get the "wow" factor you want, and then switch into something more free-flowing and active so that you are comfortable for the reception.

[Deleted User] · September 2010

I think if you love the dress you should wear it! I personally have never been to a wedding and thought the bride looked too "overdressed" or "underdressed" for the venue, they always just look like the most beautiful girl there!!!
Congrats!!

kdougan1 · September 2010

Thanks for all the support. I do love the dress and the venue. I am making an extra wide aisle runner and covering the ground under our arch so that my dress won't get incredibly dirty during the ceremony and it will be bustled for the reception (hopefully. I'm still trying to find a tailor that I like) . My bridesmaids and I will most likely be changing into more comfortable/casual clothes after the dances. I feel a lot better about it after reading all the responses. Thanks!

alehayes · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_dress-appropriate?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:fb410a7d-9ae6-44de-bf47-bcf8fb8f8016Post:6b9ea20d-f12e-4853-ad26-e3784c04ad79">Re: Is my dress appropriate?</a>:
[QUOTE]I think it would be more inappropriate if you showed up in shorts and a t-shirt! Bridal gowns are NEVER inappropriate at a wedding when it's your wedding! No one is going to say, "Geez, I can't believe the bride is dressed so fancy!" You're fine. Your dress is beautiful and you'll be gorgeous. Cheers!
Posted by portialoveschris[/QUOTE]

This.

If you love the dress and it makes you feel beautiful, wear it. Everyone will be looking at you and saying how beautiful you are, not commenting on how over- or underdressed you may be (as PP said).

brianabrad · September 2010

Ditto to BEnnis. I would never encourage anyone to purchase more than one dress but if you are concerned maybe you could get a second dress to wear during the after party. Have your ceremony and pictures done in the dress you love and get a white sundress or simple gown for the party. Perhaps, you could find a nice BM dress that you liked and get it in white . . then you could still be formal and little laid back.

desert*bride · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_dress-appropriate?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:fb410a7d-9ae6-44de-bf47-bcf8fb8f8016Post:34fd9a40-244f-433f-8378-5c2d749aed9b">Re: Is my dress appropriate?</a>:
[QUOTE]It could depend on what your interpretation of "rustic low-key" is. For some folks, a rustic low-key wedding still means having china, an elegant meal and many of the traditional wedding trimmings. For others, rustic, low-key means paper plates and potluck. If your wedding is more of the former, I'd say your dress is fine. If it's more of the latter, it might be a bit much. However, if you LOVE it and can't imagine another dress making you as happy, go for it. You'd regret NOT wearing the dress of your dreams FAR more than you'd regret being slightly overdressed at your own wedding. Also, look at photos of other weddings for inspiration - you might be surprised to see how many brides wear "formal" dresses to "rustic" weddings. Do you have any pics of your venue you could share? I've seen some park pavilions that could easily be dressed up to be pretty fancy! It's a gorgeous dress! best wishes.
Posted by Cleo7[/QUOTE]

I agree with this

Xan921 · September 2010

I say wear it. If you love it, wear it. Like others said, no one is going to say "wow, the bride is way over dressed." I'm getting married in a state park with a semi-casual vibe and my dress if fancy and I can't wait. I'd never not pick the dress I loved because of a venue.

Xtine22 · September 2010

I agree with PP. I have a vintage looking lacy dress and my wedding is outside on my FI parents farm. I don't care, I love the dress. I do believe this is the one time you can say its my wedding and I'll do what I want and NOT sound like a zilla.

AbbeyS2011 · September 2010

Its your wedding your day your dress of your dreams! It does not matter where you get married at. I was married (the first time) in a barn wearing a blue demin dress - this time I will be married in a church in my dream dress. There was a picture in the barn of another bride and groom - she was wearing a formal gown and he was wearing jeans and his biker leathers and a red bandana - they looked absolutely adorable!

beamer84 · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_dress-appropriate?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:fb410a7d-9ae6-44de-bf47-bcf8fb8f8016Post:7a999dcf-7511-4743-ba10-801d7373815d">Re: Is my dress appropriate?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Is my dress appropriate? : I agree with PP. my dress clashes with my "rustic" style venue, and i dont give a damn!
Posted by elahenara[/QUOTE]

I agree too. I got married outside, and I had a dress with a full skirt, train, elaborate beading, etc.

I htink you'll be fine as long as YOU feel beautiful in the dress