Tea Length Etiquette?

Knittibell

I'm considering a tea length dress for my wedding, and despite some searching have not come up with much in the way of what is proper. I'm not strongest in fashion etiquette, but my sense with a tea-length dress is that it would be appropriate for an afternoon ceremony not an evening one. I'm also feeling like if I wear a tea length dress, a suit, rather than a tux would be more appropriate for FI. Am I off base here? Any other tea length brides? Thoughts? Thanks!

baystateapple

I'm not a tea-length bride, but I've seen brides wear tea-length dresses to formal evening ceremonies as well.  It has sort of a vintage look to it, considering that in the 1950s and 1960s, it was fashionable for brides to wear tea-length dresses.

What does your FI want to wear and where is the venue going to be?

InferiorToKaos

I wore a tea length dress to my wedding, and my husband wore a black suit.  But that's only because I don't like the shiny lapel that tuxedos have.

angie74

it would be fine for any time of day, just depends on the formality of the wedding. I hate the way I look in tea length dresses, but if it works for you, more power to ya

noelle24

I'm wearing a tea-length dress, but I don't know much about etiquette for dress length.  My FI is wearing a suit because that's what he's most comfortable wearing. 

Our wedding is going to be more informal, just a quick ceremony and then dinner with our 20 closest friends and family.  I chose a tea-length dress because I thought a long gown would feel too formal for us.  I don't think the timing of your event matters so much as the formality.

parker624

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tea-length-etiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:a12b0692-48ea-4573-bbc5-ef85ec9ec366Post:f89ca108-04f2-470e-b834-869884f5c6a2">Re: Tea Length Etiquette?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm not a tea-length bride, but I've seen brides wear tea-length dresses to formal evening ceremonies as well.  It has sort of a vintage look to it, considering that in the 1950s and 1960s, it was fashionable for brides to wear tea-length dresses. What does your FI want to wear and where is the venue going to be?
Posted by baystateapple[/QUOTE]

My grandmother wore a tea length dress to her wedding in 1955, and my grandfather wore a tuxedo. 

Looking back, I kind of wish that I would have had a tailor recreate her dress for me; it was absolutely beautiful.

tenofcups4me

By default a tea-length dress is less formal than a full gown. I'm guessing that "proper" etiquette would say that one could only be worn during the day, but I don't know that for sure...and I also doubt most of your guests would know one way or the other. Personally, I wouldn't pair a tea-length dress with a tux -- I don't think they go together in terms of formality.  

Knittibell

Parker I want to see a photo!

Quick story- this is my second wedding I was married in 2004, and widowed in 2005. I'm 33 now and engaged again- it's my fi's first wedding. I am just in the process of beginning to plan, but really want as much of FI's input ie: what HE wants as possible- but so far "I'll wear whatever you want me to... you'll look great in anything" is sort of the standard response. Since my first wedding was very traditional and I wore a ball gown (got married in a castle in the UK), I'm thinking something vintage looking, or- if I go long something sort of unique or non-traditional. Thanks so much, ladies- The one thing Paul HAS said he wants is a nice long party, so I've been worried about tea-length and a possible evening ceremony.

Ceremony/reception will either be on Cape Cod where I'm from or in/near Boston where we live now. So much to decide, still- but I know it's still early in the planning.

Thanks!!

squirrly

You are correct that tea length was traditionally for a semi-formal afternoon ceremony.  However - so long as it goes with the rest of the feel of your wedding, I think it's really fine at any time of day now. 

parker624

Knit:  I only have a framed photo of her hanging in my parent's house!  But, to describe it, it was probably made of silk taffeta, and had a sweetheart neckline with tulle draped across the neckline to make it a boatneck.  fitted bodice, and a big skirt with lots of tulling underneath the skirt that peeked out of the bottom.

[Deleted User]

I wore tea-length for my wedding, whichw as outdoors in the middle of the day (not very formal). DH wore a suit, but he would have looked just as good in a tux. Honestly, I think you should wear the dress you want to wear and not worry about the time of day or how formal your wedding is.

Knittibell

Thanks- got some flack from my mom about not wearing a 'real' dress this time (see pantsuit post, lol!), and I LOVE LOVE vintage clothing. Might look into having someone make a version of the dress my grandmother wore.

Parker- it sounds like it was gorgeous!

I have an awesome collection of vintage hats, and am excited about finding the perfect bridal headpiece- even more than I am the dress. But thanks for reassuring me that if the dress I love IS tea length, it'll be fine no matter what. Right now I'm loving these two:


 


Would love to see your tea length dresses!!

parker624

I love the skirt on the first one!

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

I agree that it's more about formality than time of day. Also, vintage-related - my aunt wore a tea-length ballet-style dress (full tulle skirt) for her wedding in 1964.

Knittibell

Yeah, I LOVE the first one- it's by Blue Bridal, a small EXPENSIVE UK company, but am thinking of having a dressmaker copy it for me. It's so simple and pretty!