Ask Angie: Officiating a wedding

Hello Angie -
Terrific Blog!!! Love it!
So I am officiating the wedding of a lesbian couple. They are relatively conservative in taste. The wedding will be held on a Saturday evening in June at a chic, old fashioned grammercy park venue in NYC.
The thing is, I am not what one would expect as an officiant of this wedding. I am very feminine and a bit vintage inspired funky in my taste. I am quite short/petite and curvy in a Betty boop way. Even at 36, I gravitate towards betsey johnson for evening wear though I resist the urge since it seems age-inappropriate and lifestyle inappropriate since I am a professor/artistic director.
When I asked them what I should wear, one bride said: "I don't care" and the other one said: "anything black and not too terribly revealing"
I want to be appropriate but also look good.and like myself... It's a highprofile event with many photos.
Oh: my only real body image "obstacle" is that I have rather short legs but a heart-shaped distinct booty that make high waisted items fall awkwardly unless they do nip my actual waist which is small. I am about 36-25-38.
Wow. Seems like a tall order. Any thoughts you have would be appreciated!!
Thanks soooo much!
Rosie

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hi Rosie! The wedding sounds wonderful

So are you set on wearing a black dress? If so, perhaps you can add a bit of colour with the shoes and clutch. How about something lace?

Isabel

Veteran

I have no advice...but how utterly exciting !!!!!!

bella

I am not Angie but I wanted to chime in. I was recently looking at the wedding pictures of this newly married couple. They had a beautiful ceremony at a zoo, where the peacocks roam free, so the theme was peacocks. The bridesmaids had gorgeous bouquets of purple, blue and green. The ceremony pictures turned out great, except for the officiant's outfit.She had this really loud, floral print tunic that quite frankly made me scratch my head. So if I were the bride, I would ask you to please blend in, rather than stand out. Since the bride asked you not to wear anything too revealing, how about a black sheath with a high neckline?
These pictures are for reference only, never mind the price:
This looks very feminine to me, yet conservative:
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/pr.....03=5630585

Following up on Angie's suggestion of lace, how about a subtle lace dress?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/la.....mt94ej8Gvw

Again feminine, but interesting details:
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/pr.....03=5630585

There are many gorgeous LBDs out there, I am sure you will the right fit for your body.

Elly

I'm not Angie but have you considered pairing a dressy maxi or pencil skirt with a crisp button down tucked in? Kinda a Carolina Herrera thing? A black silk or satin blouse might be nice as well and easier to fit if you are curvy.

I think what the ladies you are marrying are wearing, as well as the bridal party serve as a good indication of what you should wear--- you want to "fit" with the attire of the ceremony without looking too much like the partners or a bridesmaid. If some other parties are wearing very slinky sexy clothes or cleavage, then a structured plain black wiggle/fitted cocktail without much cleavage might not be "too sexy"--- but if both partners are wearing conservative dresses or a suit, it probably would. You probably don't want to chose a full skirt if it is going to attract more attention to you. I think there are a lot of great options that say attractive and fitting without stealing attention--- you can always add big accessories or color for the reception. Also, it might depend on if they specifically asked you because of your own importance to them as a person and close friend, in which case they are more likely to expect you to dress in your normal style just formalized and in attire appropriate for the occasion.

Chrizzle

Active Member

Deleted my post.

Category