My pick is dress 2 -the Vince dress. I think it is very flattering and classic.

I think all the others work and would tend to a sleeveless dress with a topper for the dinner - maybe the purple?

I do like the Orire dress too.

cjh, all opinions are welcome! It’s a good thought that perhaps the Vince dress is flowy and not too big. I need to wear it and walk around my house to see…I only tried it on and snapped a quick photo. If I wear this dress, I would need to get some new shoes. The pointy toe pumps match perfectly but hurt my feet…

Jenni NZ, I’m glad you think the Vince dress is nice. I’m betting DH is going to like that one best of all of these. Any thoughts on what accessories would work with the Vince dress? What shoes?

Sal, Yours is the third vote for the Vince dress. I’m keeping the purple dress so I’m going to knit one of the two toppers I posted earlier in the thread, probably the small bolero and not the kimono.

I’m also going to ask DH to take some outdoor pictures so the colors of these dresses will be more accurate. My bedroom walls and lighting are not the best!

ETA, I forgot to post the second option for a topper so I am adding it here. It would be in the green, purple, blue, gold metallic yarn already posted in the knitted swatch. I can add a button to hold it closed if needed and I can make any length sleeves.

Where is the family dinner being held? That might give you a sense of how much to dress up. Love that Vince dress; do you have bronze or silver metallic shoes?

Cat2, the family dinner is at the same place as the wedding. Silver shoes may work with the Vince dress. I have several options, although not any closed toe, which I think would be best. It would be nice if I could pick one pair of shoes for both dresses so I have less to carry.

Did I mention that my cousin told me I will need to wear a hat or some sort of head covering as well? I’m trying to imagine what type of hat might work with these dresses, that will also pack and travel well.

Firecracker, in terms of a topper for the Orire dress, I may or may not need one. The ceremony is outdoors and the dinner and dancing will be indoors. A topper for air conditioning may be nice since the dress is linen. It has puffy sleeves so the bolero jacket seemed the best of the options I found on Ravelry. I saw the green bolero you made and tried to find a similar pattern on Ravelry. I think something like that pattern might be a good option with the purple dress because of the tiered skirt.

By FAR the silvery blue Vince dress for the wedding!! (I found it for you so I'm gloating a wee bit!) KILLER WOW on you Staysfit, and looks like a perfect fit! Needs metallic pumps

I like the gorgeous green dress in #9 for the family dinner.

The sleeveless dresses are lovely, but read too beachy for the events. Keep for casual hot days though!

Staysfit, you’re getting a lot of good advice from the stylish ones here. I do like the Vince dress best. It looks great on you.

The Vince dress looks great! I really like the purple one too, and if you can skew a bit more casual for the family dinner, that plus a topper would be my pick.

The Vince is really lovely on you

I agree the Vince dress is so elegant on you.

The Vince dress! That’s fab on you. Lovely fit and color and very occasion appropriate. I like the blue patterned one with the topper — looks nice on you and seems versatile. I confess I am not a fan of the Orire dress, even though I love the color — the gathered tiers sort of evoke being bound up and it looksa little fussy to my eye, but that may just be me!

My opinion re the last dresses you showed, staysfit:

#2 is beautiful and elegant and looks perfect on you. Wear it for the ceremony.

#4 looks great for a summer wedding. With a more elegant topper (than the one you are wearing in the next pics) it would be gorgeous for the family wedding.

In both cases, I suggest that the black pumps are replaced by a silver or light grey shoe, preferably a slingback. Elegant, summery, and in beautiful harmony with your hair.

I imagine that these two dresses would also be versatile options for several occasions later.

I like the Vince dress on you.
This website has head coverings, I believe she makes them (or at least used to) herself.
https://headcoverings-by-devorah.com/
She has lace type beaded headcovers, doily type and others, probably not hats per se but has some nice stuff if you look through her website. You can ask her about matching the color of your dress.

There is a lot of love for the Vince dress! Sadly, I am not sure there is as much love for it in person. DH did not like it. He says it’s too dark. It is a dark, steely blue purple grey with brown, white and green flowers. It does not photograph accurately because of the metallic sheen and also because of the poor lighting near my full length mirror.

Late to the party here but I can't wait to see the Komorov dress. The grey floral is pretty and I can see why it's a favorite--the color and the cut is conventionally flattering however conservative. For lack of a better descriptor--it looks severe for a summer wedding. I think the green tiered dress is unique but has a lot going on. I love the purple casual dress--my fave of everything you modeled.

The last dress you showed looks wonderful too, Staysfit! If it's sufficiently modest - by all means go with that one! I bet the colour is glorious with your hair

Agree with your husband. The Komorov dress would be gorgeous for the ceremony. And the blue & white dress worn with a topper for the family dinner. Still vote for silver or light grey slingbacks.

Oh, this is such a complicated brief! I really loved the Vince dress on you also -- in the photos, the colour looks gorgeous on you, and the cut is conservative enough for the event, and it feels dressy.

I hope the Komorov dress is 1). modest enough; 2). fits as beautifully as the Vince. It would be perfect, if so. Do let us know!

I'm of two minds about the Orire -- I would like to see more photos. I like the colour and the idea of linen (for the temps) but like Janet, I find it a bit fussy looking and "bound up." However, those details may be over-emphasized by the lighting -- it might be much better in person.

Crossing fingers the Komorov works, and then, good heavens, the head covering dilemma to solve!!

The Komorov dress is beautiful and DH likes it, so it seems like a great choice. Too bad the Vince dress didn't work, it looked wonderful in the photos you posted.

Oh boy this has certainly been quite challenging to dress for. I hope the Komorov dress works out for you, it looks lovely as well.

Very tricky indeed! The blue dress is lovely and I think it would be a good piece to have in the wardrobe for other occasions - it’s timeless!

The Crosbie dress by Argent arrived. It’s one of my three original picks. It looks nice, fits perfectly, however the seam on the collar has loose and sloppy sewing. The rest of the garment seems well made. It almost looks like whomever was sewing used loose tacking thread and then after sewing, forgot to remove it,

I kind of cringe at the thought of someone setting up a wedding on short notice, and then having this big dress code for women, in the middle of a very hot season. It's kind of a big ask, especially if you have to travel out of town, book flights and a hotel, etc.

FWIW, I loooooove that Orire dress on you! It may be something to consider, if not for this wedding, just to have and wear and enjoy for other things. It has a fun energy, that suits your vibe, IMO.

You do have a lot of beautiful options in your try-ons. I'd pick the one that best suits your needs, and makes you feel happiest.