Panic! Last min wedding guest trip planning

abc

Just confirmed I will be attending a good friends wedding in a week. I will be in NE USA for work next week then detour to Vegas for the weekend wedding festivities. Work outfits I will be fine. I am most concerned about the day of the wedding. We will ride in a rented bus/limo to and from (1+ hour each way, assuming in a/c) then the ceremony itself will be outside. Return to vegas after for cocktails and celebration.

Suggestions on how to dress?! It's an outdoor wedding. They mentioned it's not a dressy affair. Grooms will wear linen head to toe with sporty sneakers. He told me think afternoon BBQ in the south. And wear casual shoes as it's rocky. Valley of fire state park is location. Looking it up now.

I am up in weight and self conscious of upper arms so I want them covered.

Summer casual is my weakest wardrobe.

I'm open to a new outfit for the day of the wedding. I will likely make existing wardrobe work for the rest of the days.

Help, please!

9 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

rabbit

Veteran

Do you have a casual sundress or cotton/linen skirt or bottoms that work with sporty sneakers? I'm thinking sandals, unless they are gear sandals with covered toes, could be too flimsy for a rocky desert state park. You will probably need a warmer covering layer for the drive.

9 years ago

abc

Veteran

Just told me it is the valley of fire package w photography from this site
http://Www.sceniclasvegasweddings.com

He said think
Sunny
Warm
Comfortable

9 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

It will likely be pretty warm already outside - I was at a friend's wedding in Las Vegas last October and it was pretty toasty waiting outside the venue. Then there's the arctic a/c factor in casinos and restaurants, so I think layers are always a good option. Do you have a dress that would be cool enough outside but able to be jazzed up with a jacket and heels or wedges? Sounds like something in a bright color, nothing too evening wear, would be great for the occasion.

9 years ago

abc

Veteran

Btw the guests will be included in the photos as well ... More pressure! Lol

I do have a cotton skirt. It's old but I like the color and shape. It's fitted through hips then flares out a bit. I have it in navy and turquoise. I don't know how I feel about sporty sneakers. I don't love myself in high vamp shoes so I may have to make a clutch decision. I was planning on looking for metallic slip ons during my work trip.

9 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

I would just envision walking through gritty red dust, sand, and pebbles in whatever shoe you choose --- if it seems like it wouldn't damage you or the shoe, you are good.

Silver slip ons with rubbery soles seems like a good bet. There are guest/bridal party images in the site you linked with their heels sinking all the way into the dirt so I'd avoid that unless it was a low very sturdy wedge.

9 years ago

abc

Veteran

And of course, Rabbit, those shoes will most likely be new! Grr! Thanks for the reality check. I've always been the one that doesn't think beforehand in situations like this.

Laura, thanks!

9 years ago

abc

Veteran

Looked in closet. What about this? Could layer white blazer or white denim jacket over it. As for shoes and accessories I could try to de-businify it by adding a colorful scarf for the actual wedding and maybe metallic wedges or something along those lines? And of course my big black sunnies!

Or is this too formal and not casual enough?

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9 years ago

abc

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I like this in blue but online only

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9 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

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I would start with the shoes and work up from there. Cute metallic slip on sneakers with loose silky or linen pants and a silk/linen/upscale knit top would be comfortable. I like the dress you're showing above, perhaps with really stable rubber-soled wedge sandals. It looks like tricky terrain with rock to wobble on and sand to sink into.

9 years ago

abc

Veteran

I wore this top today and liked it and it's super light. I have no loose bottoms.

Lots of options at least.

Thanks cocolion!

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9 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

That's a really cute outfit on you, love the colors!

I think that top would be great with white bottoms, maybe pants or a high-waisted tube skirt if shorts felt too casual (but I'm not sure that they would be - depends what kind of Southern BBQ lol). Metallic shoes like Cocolion suggests and you are good.

9 years ago

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Las Vegas weddings are casual, and multiply that by a million for Valley of Fire - gorgeous, it really does look like the pictures. If the event goes past sundown, it will get cool->cold really fast so your denim jacket sounds like a good option. Especially this time of year. OTOH the stars will be amazing out there!

Your friends will be so happy to have you honor their day with your presence, with you coming so far. I think either of the dresses will work depending on what you do with them, so get the one that you will wear again in your regular life.

Neither heels nor sandals are reasonable at this place. It's been a while since I've been there, but I don't remember much in the way of amenities like picnic shelters, etc. Certainly not a broad paved area, you can count on getting your feet in some red dust and uneven ground. (Such is my daily life (which is why many folks in my neighborhood opt for dark red concrete flooring, sigh.)) What a wonderful thing to get to see your friends on their day.

9 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Southern BBQ says a casual cotton sundress or swishy skirt to me. Your coral top might look good with a white slim skirt. I also like the green sheath dress if it won't feel too warm

9 years ago

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