Laura, you look fantastic in that dress! Wow- I love how you've accessorized it, too. I also love the jacket though, and the outfit you thought about making with it sounds fab.
I'm really unsure about the colour thing. On one hand, I'm laid-back about that kind of thing and wouldn't care, BUT I can see how wearing a light colour close to white could be seen as a giant slap in the face to a bride. Marianne brings up a good point about other family members, too.
It's strange, though. Nowadays it's common for brides to wear a whole range of colours- white, ivory, cream, champagne, silver, gold, etc. Does this mean all these colours are now inappropriate for wedding guests? Like, the wider the options for brides, the narrower they become for everyone else?