Rehearsal Dress
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I recently bought a dress that I am going to wear for my engagement photos and the dress is to die for! We are opting for a glam outdoor engagement shoot and our wedding is going to be outside with a kind of enchanted garden feel. My question is, I spent $500.00 on my engagement dress and I only planned to wear it for the photos. However, we have recently decided to have a rehearsal dinner and I am wondering if I should wear the dress to the dinner. I have copied and pasted the link below of the dress ... also, my groom to be is going to wear a tux at the rehearsal dinner and we are planning to have the dinner at an upscale restaurant that fits into our theme and is romantic.
Should I wear the engagement shoot dress to the rehearsal dinner??
http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_soft-lace-wedding-dress-with-low-back-4xlwg3827
Thank you ladies!
Re: Rehearsal Dress
As long as you aren't telling guests they need to wear black tie just because your FI is choosing to wear a tux and you a gown, you're A-OK.
I've truly never seen such a high level of dress at a restaurant, including the Michelin starred restaurants I've dined in.
Are you having an after party? Maybe you could wear the dress at that.
I attached a photo of what I was considering ... an after party? I am still considering it, again, I was just trying to decide if the dress should be worn. I initially felt like it would be bit much but I love the dress lol ... I have seen couples dressed like this for their events and I loved it.
My apologies, here is the link ... I am not sure what men call this look? Though I like it because it is formal yet ...
Here's a LINK that explains the difference. In addition to the fabric and style difference, a tuxedo is meant for black tie events - think presidential galas, dinners with heads of state, the Oscars... Elements of a "black tie" event are valet, butler coat check, gloved appetizer/drink service, live band, multi-course seated meal, etc. I highly highly doubt your rehearsal dinner meets these standards. Wearing a tuxedo would seem SUPER out of place and awkward.
A suit with a basic button down and no tie would seem very normal and appropriate.
When you say this though:
It's important to realize that it's against etiquette to dictate the formality of your event - whether it's "formal" "beach casual" or whatever. What you CAN do to get the message across is choose a fancy venue (which you've done), choose fancy stationary for the invitation, use formal wording and embossing/engraving, hire a calligrapher, etc. The fancier the invitation, the fancier the event - that's how people know what to wear. Telling people what to wear is tacky.
If you like the dress and want to wear it, then wear it.
And a suit without a tie like above and a tux are two very different levels of formality. The suit is a good choice for an RD (depending on how formal it is).
Also, if I saw pictures of a couple in that white dress and a suit I would definitely assume they ran off & got married already.
I'm thinking of celebrities on the red carpet in white and ivory gowns. Many of them could be wedding dresses, but aren't necessarily. I feel this dress falls a bit in that category.
You can wear whatever you would like to your RD.
Personally, I would want to tone the RD down so that the wedding the next day is 'the event'.
$500 is a lot to spend so I can appreciate wanting to get more wear out of it.
You can wear wear anything you want to your rehearsal dinner, but remember you're then asking your guests to be in formal attire two nights in a row. If this is the norm in your family/social circle maybe it's not a big deal, but when you're hosting an event you set the tone and you have to think about your guests as well.