Is this dress nice enough for a daytime wedding?

I'll start by saying that this is the first wedding I attend as a grown up (last wedding I went to I must have been like 10).
It's a cousin's wedding, we are not in touch that much. And it's a WINTER wedding in Madrid, which gets quite colder than Barcelona. Beginning of December. Yay?

I think it will be traditional, church ceremony and then late lunch at a casino.

The thing is, I don't want to:

A) Spend a lot of money
B) Feel like I am in a costume party
C) Get a cold

This would eliminate the pretty long dress option. I would feel very much not like myself, and I would probably never wear that dress again.
My plan was to wear a little black sheath dress I already own with some fun blazer, but guess what, this is the season of bomber jackets. No fun, patterned blazers. Or lacey. Or velvety. At least not in the stores I can afford to shop at.

I was desperately going through the racks at Forever 21 when I spotted this sweet dress.
It's cheap, it's green (favourite color), it's a comfy (and longer) fit and flare dress and it's got polka dots. It's ME all over. I'm just not sure it can work for a wedding. I could go a size smaller but there weren't any, so it is a bit lose, but not too lose. I guess when I stuff myself with food I will like it even more.

This is a similar style in a different pattern so that you can see the fit and back of the dress, although it is much longer on me (almost hits knee length). http://www.forever21.com/EU/Pr.....oductID=20

I was thinking of pairing it with a short black blazer (or a bolero, but I'm not a fan of boleros...), black tights and black high-heeled ankle bracelet pumps. And a coat (or a puffer coat if it's very cold, I really don't care if it doesn't look that nice on the streets, I want to stay warm).

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12 years ago

Emily

Veteran

Definitely!

Marley

I think it depends on the venue! Indoors? Ourdoors? Church? etc.

annagybe

(website)

Yes, I think so.

Irene

Sorry girls, I was describing the event and circumstances a bit, I just posted from my phone because I got the picture there but preferred writing the post on the computer.

Diana

I think it would definitely work for a wedding here (in the states). I would like to see it with the blazer though to be sure. I get the impression that weddings in Spain can be much more dressed up affairs though, but I guess it depends on the venue, time of day, etc.

Jules

It looks like the fabric is shiny, like almost a taffeta or something? In my books that makes it dressy enough for the occasion. It's clearly a party dress. Also, I will say that I believe younger-generation cousins get a bit of a pass in terms of wedding wear. Of course you want to look appropriate, but you're a student or student-aged, and you're obligated to attend because it's family, so I don't think too many people would expect you to have a huge budget to go out and buy something spectacular, for a lunch. JMHO.

carter

I think it looks great. Maybe add a short strand of fake pearls or some pretty earrings to keep with the dressy theme. Have fun!

cheryle (Dianthus)

I agree about the tone on tone and slight sheen making it a little more dressy. I think it looks like an appropriate dress for an afternoon wedding.

Lyn D.

Yes! It looks lovely, and you can dress it up with your accessories and jacket if necessary.

RunswithDolphins

Active Member

This dress has everything on your list of wants - colour, price, comfort and flare. If it's a bit too big you could get it altered if needed. I would definitely take a cute black jacket to be covered up in the church and then if it's warm at the reception once you start dancing you'll be able to take it off. Black tights and cute ankle pumps would make it grownup but at the same time keep the young edgier look. Have a great time!

Thanks everyone! I'm glad to see I wasn't so wrong about this.

Diana, you are very right in that Spanish weddings tend to be pompous. But my region (Catalunya) is far more casual than the center and south of Spain. I know we are going to stand out and be underdressed no matter what, because people in Madrid are more traditional than us. I've seen photos of Spanish weddings and they have nothing to do with the weddings I or my Catalan peers attend to. My cousin has been going to several weddings this year and she's been wearing long dresses and strong make up and complicated hair do's. That's just not me. I'm much more minimalistic, modern, of you want. Certainly non-traditional. As long as I don't look too under-dressed I'll be fine.

PS: I'll also have to look for some fun jewelry and clutch, but that worries me much less!

viva

I think the dress is a great foundation for a dressy daytime wedding, and the way you plan to have it styled -- short black jacket, tights (maybe sheer or sheer-ish?), black pumps -- will definitely punch it up. I love the color too. So rich and perfect for this time of year.

Gigi

I think a lot of this depends on the sensibilities of those who will be attending the wedding and whether you will feel too uncomfortable if you are underdressed. Would you be able to dress your frock up more by wearing some kind of ornate shawl instead of a jacket?

Another option--although this would cost more money--is to wear one outfit to the wedding and another to the casino. My aunt does this, and she has always been very attentive to her appearance and style. She dresses to the nines for weddings, with very tailored pieces, beautiful jewelry, and a fancy hat, but then she puts on something more glitzy for the reception. I had never thought about doing this until she mentioned it. But it is true that what is appropriate for church is not necessarily appropriate for a reception, and vice versa. Two outfits allows you the chance to be completely dressed for each occasion--although it does require spending more money.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Having been to Madrid in December I know that it can be freezing (and snowy!).

I think that you will look lovely in the dress. If you cover your arms and provided it is not too short, it is not too immodest for a Catholic church ceremony.

How warm will the church be? Will people wear their coats in church? If yes, then I would focus in a long (at least knee length) coat to wear over the top of your dress.

Do people wear hats? Fascinators?

Angie

Fashion Stylist

It's a very nice frock - but freezing for Winter. I know you're planning to layer over a blazer - but covering up the frock will change the vibe of the dress. I feel I need to warn you about that.

peacechick

The dress is definitely suitable, especially dressed up with more formal accessories like a jacket (or cardigan?), shoes and handbag. Is your winter cold? I think this could work with black tights, boots and a black knee-length coat. I wear dresses all through winter like this.

annaj

Gorgeous dress! I'd wear it to a summer wedding, but I think you'd definitely need layers for winter!

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