Wedding dress-codes: "relaxed formal"?

stringy

I've just been invited to a wedding where the dress code is "lounge / relaxed formal". There's a mid-afternoon garden ceremony, followed by a 5pm reception at what looks like your standard function centre except that it's got a *stunning* beach view.

I'm really excited about this wedding: the couple are lovely, have great style, and great taste in food and wine and music. And all the dresses I used to wear to weddings are too small and slinky for me now, so I get to buy something new! Yay!

But I'm not sure how to interpret relaxed formal or lounge. I'll need a whole outfit anyway, but will I end up buying something I can't re-wear? My husband has a lovely charcoal grey suit, but will he need a tie, vest, etc as well?

14 years ago

Body Type

11 replies

Latest reply was from Vix

Queen Mum

Veteran

My personal interpretation of relaxed formal would be "non glitzy cocktail wear" a nice knee length dress, statement jewelry, etc...

my experience with weddings has been that people wear pretty much anything (unfortunately) so I would think that you'll be lovely in a dressy knee length dress. I can't imagine people being in long dresses, can you?

14 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I was thinking about the same thing- cocktail wear minus the glitz.

14 years ago

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I interpret that as a nice knee-length dress
(I love this one
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....hoppingbag)
With nude or metallic shoes and a fun cuff bracelet and clutch.
Nice, but simple.
Men's wedding attire is heavily debated. I would have him wear the suit with a nice button down sans tie and vest, or wear the vest and tie sans jacket.

14 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

I vote for a tie and jacket, or tie and vest for hubby, depending on the weather.

14 years ago

Beth

Veteran

I'm with Queenie: definitely a jacket and tie for DH and a nonglitzy cocktail dress.

Or...you think you could work Angie's white tunic shirt into something fun? I bet you could!

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I was just going to say semi-formal for you, Stringy.

14 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

The dress code made me think of British model Rosie Huntingdon Whiteley glamorous boho style
http://www.stylefinder.com/cel.....?id=129452

14 years ago

stringy

Veteran

Well, that's a relief - I couldn't really imagine this couple wanting everyone in floor-length dresses, especially with the outdoor ceremony, but sometimes people take the opportunity of their wedding to go nuts on the formality.

A knee-length cocktail dress sounds do-able. I was looking in the shops a little today (got some excellent plain black ballet flats, something I've wanted for ages) and noticed that there's a lot of nude-coloured, floaty, satiny things in the dressier shops. I might try a few on and see how I go.

That glamorous boho looks lovely! But maxi's look a bit funny on my stumpy legs. Although I love that loose and sparkly look.

The funny thing is, before reading YLF this is the sort of thing that would have had me stressing out about what to wear. Now, even though I don't have much idea of what to choose, I feel like it's going to be a fun adventure

14 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

it is fun isn't it????
be sure to post lots of pics of your options so we can all join in the fun with you!

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That's the spirit, Stringy!

14 years ago

Vix

Veteran

Sounds like a fun wedding and a pretty location!

Anything near a beach seems to immediately take me to a more floaty and/or adventurously colored "clothing place," but maybe that's just me!

Since one gets to evaluate lots of options in a short amount of time, event-based shopping can be such a blast when the stress factor is low...glad you are looking forward to coming up with something that you love and which seems suitable!

If you're not wowed by any dresses you find, an obviously-coordinating embellished top + dressy skirt or pants wouldn't raise my eyebrows with anything but delight, ha...and, hey, depending on what you already have, separates might be more useful in your closet down the line.

ps I with Sarah and would think your husband could do suit + dress shirt alone...but he could pop a tie in his pocket in case everyone else seems more buttoned-up!

14 years ago

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