Does my dress look formal? If so, does everything else have to follow suit? HELP!!!

CeCe3grove · May 2010

Does my dress look formal? I think it does...and we are having the wedding around 7:30 p.m. So I thought the wedding was formal anyways? I'm so confused! If my dress is formal, do flowers and cakes and invitations and all that other stuff need to be formal too? HELP!

here is my dress:

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?keywordText=ball+gowns&keywordType=any&pageSize=15&page=1&style=V7091

sarabear23 · May 2010

I can't see the picture, so I'm no help. I dont know if its only me that cant see it, or if no one can see it. Sorry

EDIT; Did you edit it to have the link, or am I that tired still? haha But, yes, I would say that dress is sort of formal. I dont think you need to go over the top, but I wouldnt use fake flowers at your wedding with a dress like that.

Brie2010 · May 2010

Let's discuss the glaring problem with this post: you bought your dress over two years before your wedding. Bad idea.

Kristin&eric · May 2010

no i think she edited it. I posted something on the first one. Thats really pretty, It looks like it is formal, but it is up to you and what you want

Kristin&eric · May 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_dress-look-formal-everything-else-follow-suit-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:1a0b2cbc-65f5-4779-b2d5-c78d7d68b078Post:916eaeee-12b7-43be-a1dd-4ee7c88fbffe">Re: Does my dress look formal? If so, does everything else have to follow suit? HELP!!!</a>:
[QUOTE]Let's discuss the glaring problem with this post: you bought your dress over two years before your wedding. Bad idea.
Posted by Brie2010[/QUOTE]

how did you know she bought it?

Brie2010 · May 2010

Well, she referred to it as "my" dress. Saying something is "mine" implies ownership. There's a difference between saying, "Hey, look at my Bentley" and "Hey, look at that Bentley."

OP...wait until you're at least a year out or less to buy your dress. Tastes change, trends change, body sizes and shapes change...it's fine to look now, but don't buy for a long time. You don't want to be a two-dress bride.

CeCe3grove · May 2010

I didnt buy it yet.
It's my all time favorite, but if this would effect the over all feel of the wedding, I would find something else. Hence the reason I asked:)
I also wasn't planning to buy for a long time. Just wanted to hear the opinons from fellow brides

P.S. It is MY dress if I want it to be! heheheh

Celles · May 2010

It's beautiful -- but it is a ballgown and therefore formal. What other details are you thinking of for your wedding? I wouldn't wear it to a backyard BBQ, but you don't exactly have to go black-tie either.

[Deleted User] · May 2010

Yes. It's formal.

Brie2010 · May 2010

Re: the formality, I agree with Celles. That dress looks very formal and expensive, and as a guest I would be annoyed if it was apparent that you spent money on a big fancy dress for you, but I was stuck eating a few lame appetizers off paper cocktail napkins.

angela72023 · May 2010

It is a beautiful dress and I wouldn't be offended by a dessert reception (if it's not at meal time) or a less formal feel, but I would think you would want a formal ceremony for the dress. I personally don't mind seeing a bride in a beautiful expensive dress and just being served apps...but everyone has a different opinion about what is important. As long as you make your guests feel welcome and appreciated, I would say you're fine. And I don't think $1k is a lot for a dress, mine was $850 and I am on a very small budget, so again, it's all in people's perspectives.

jnic0319 · May 2010

I got a "formal" dress and I changed the whole feel of my wedding to be more formal. However like pp said, formal is what you make it. You must serve dinner, you don't have to have a band (I think black-tie for band, formal can be DJ) your invites can still be fun and your flowers can still be fun, the "look" of your wedding does not have to be traditional to be formal. Look at some pictures on the knot to get some ideas. One thing formal changed for me, is that my BM dresses went from cocktail length to full length, I guess that doesn't have to be the case, but for me I didn't want the whole event formal and the BM's to look or feel out of place.

notquiteblushing · May 2010

Yes it is formal. 7:30 is too late for a wedding. Please serve food.

emilyinchile · May 2010

7:30 is too late for a wedding? I disagree.

OP, I think you can wear a formal dress and have a wedding that's not necessarily super formal in a traditional, elegant sense, by which I mean that things like flowers, colors and food choices are still flexible. It can be fun and creative without being any less nice. But for the time of your wedding, you need to serve dinner, and this dress doesn't go with a super casual or budget wedding.

CeCe3grove · May 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_dress-look-formal-everything-else-follow-suit-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:1a0b2cbc-65f5-4779-b2d5-c78d7d68b078Post:94698b06-5615-4caa-8bdf-a5d48f7a4b71">Re: Does my dress look formal? If so, does everything else have to follow suit? HELP!!!</a>:
[QUOTE]I dont think Calla Lillies are less formal than roses. I agree if you are having a meal time reception then have a meal. If you have it at 2p its less formal and then you can do apps. Honestly I agree if you wore that in the back yard i would think it would be strange. If you wore it and i was eat apps, I wouldnt get offended. To most girls its about the dress for them. Its about the couple and me being there to celebrate it with them, not what I am eating. I would want the B&G to be happy and comfortable.
Posted by Kristin&eric[/QUOTE]

awh, thank you :)
That made me feel a lot better! And plus, no matter how long you shop for you always tend to change your mind on a dress all up until crunch time! :b So who knows!

polichik · May 2010

CeCe, as these ladies can attest, I changed my mind about 38983 times about my dream dress. I'd really, really wait until you need to buy a dress (say, about 9 months out if you're going to order a dress). I tried on over 80 dresses and really liked about 20, loved about 5. When I tried on the dress that I ended up buying, I had no more doubts. I had to scrimp and save a fair amount to be able to afford it (without dipping into any of our other budget areas), but it's SO worth it. I think you should wear the dress that you want to wear, as long as you're providing well for your guests.

I've seen short, trendy dresses at formal receptions, and I've seen ball gowns as less formal receptions. As long as you're not blowing your budget on your dress and having a cash bar or no food in exchange, you should be fine.

CeCe3grove · June 2010

Thanks so much for the advice Polichik!

Does my dress look formal? If so, does everything else have to follow suit? HELP!!!

Re: Does my dress look formal? If so, does everything else have to follow suit? HELP!!!

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