Barn wedding - is this dress appropriate? - YouLookFab Forum

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Barn wedding - is this dress appropriate?

Makrame

Veteran

I am attending a wedding, which is taking place in a barn. This is the Northern part of the Northeast so it getting colder (evening temperatures are into the 40s and 50s, with occasional frost). I was looking for a dress with sleeves, and found this David Meister dress. I can bring a silvery shawl or a black jacket to wear over it.

What do you think - does this seem appropriate for the setting? I looked over previous threads on similar topics, and the general suggestions tended towards cotton sundresses etc. This dress does not have a "country" vibe but I wonder if it is at least at the right level of "not-too-dressy".

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DAVID MEISTER Long Sleeved Wrap Dress

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14 replies

Latest reply was from minimalist

crutcher

Veteran

Your dress is lovely...I am at a lost to say it is appropriate for a barn wedding...Could you ask the bride what her dress code for the wedding should be?....She is the one to be pleased...You could add a topper to the dress like a denim jacket and that would dress it down but I would hate to see you cover this lovely number...

rabbit

Veteran

That dress looks really great on you! Hmm... is it a theme or casual wedding? Barn's cover a wide range of environments. Are we talking cowboy hats and Levis? Or rustic romantic?

Kristin L

Veteran

I would agree with asking someone how casual the wedding is. Could you wear flats with your dress? That may make it a little less dressy and could make walking on uneven ground easier.

frannieb

Veteran

yea - I think we need more information. I have been to very casual outdoor weddings where you dress would still be to dressy and super fancy in an apple orchard wedding where your dress would not be dressy enough.
Would you be able to walk in those shoes if it ended up being straw and dirt?
Clearly of now help dressing for wedding in non-traditional setting can be challenging.

Deborah

Veteran

Such a stunning dress. And it looks like it was made for you. The colour loves you:). I don't really know what a wedding in a barn requires but I can't imagine going wrong with something as elegant as this.

Elly

Veteran

I think the dress would be fine for this-- even if the wedding is levis and straw hats the bride and her family no doubt appreciate people dressing more put together rather than showing up in their hawaiian shirts and cargo pants if country isn't their style. I would be tempted to tell you to wear booties with the dress though, in case any part of the ceremony or reception is held anywhere but a barn with a wood floor, like a high end equestrian barn or one that has been modified for events. Even cocktail hour could turn into a mess for heels otherwise.

Makrame

Veteran

Thanks for the ideas!

We are actually in the apple orchard land. The barn has been adapted for events but I am not sure exactly how much - what has been done with the floor etc. The shoes are wedges, very easy to walk in, although I have thought about booties or boots as well. Maybe I will put a pair of casual boots in the trunk, just in case. I will see if I can find out more info from the bride.

Meli

(website)

I just went to one recently and wore a simple knit cowl dress and casual wedges and was on the dressed up side... Wedding was casual. id say this look is too fancy if its casual- how does it look with bright flats and a denim jacket?

Makrame

Veteran

OK, in talking to the bride, none of the groomsmen are wearing ties, and the entire bridal party is wearing cowboy boots. So dressed-up casual (but not jeans) is the vibe. I think this means khakis with a shirt for DH. Probably booties with a dress for me - not sure if I will go with the blue dress or this slightly more casual one. I might bring a denim jacket as a topper.

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N-Marie

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I have been to a barn wedding on the West Coast and I saw a huge range of clothing (sundress + cowboy boots up to formal MOTB dresses). I would say you would have fit right in in either dres. The first dress looks lovely on you and I bet you will be able to wear it to a bunch of different events. But the second dress does give a bit more of a nod the "western" vibe of the event and seems really fun!

unfrumped

Veteran

It's funny how a more casual wedding venue can be harder to dress for than just, "it's a wedding". This is such a great dress--is it yours already or were you buying for the occasion? Because I think you need it! If you have it already, then you have the option to wear or SYC for something else. I do envision something like a sweater dress with boots as being perfect, or a skirt with a pretty fluffy sweater and boots /and/or tights (if cold). It brings to mind Laura's search for the Las Vegas wedding attire--you want not just to show up in something, but to have the fun of feeling just "right" for the venue, but at some point it can just get too complicated.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

The dress is so perfect on you, although it might be dressy for the occasion. I am picturing a denim jacket and red bandana used as a neck scarf as a starting point for the ensemble. Maybe a pencil skirt or trousers and a chambray shirt?

minimalist

Veteran

Deleted after reading update

minimalist

Veteran

But now there are big question marks about cowboy boots in New England...