Style me for wedding season
May 2, 2017 9:44 PM Subscribe
Please help me accessorize this dress for a fancy garden party and a farm wedding.
I am planning to wear this dress to two different weddings this spring.
The first wedding is in Boston. There is an afternoon ceremony and evening reception (no break in between), at the same venue, the garden of a historic mansion. The whole affair is sort of casual-meets-formal: fancy venue but outdoors; barbecue dinner but dancing into the night; bride will be in a princessy gown. It's my best friend's wedding and though there is no bridal party, I feel like it's important that I dress for a special occasion. That said, I also want to be comfortable enough to dance the night away, so I'm considering wearing flats (also because the dress is long so you'll barely see my shoes). What would you recommend for shoes, bag, and jewelry to dress up the look?
The second wedding is at a farm in Colorado. Also an afternoon ceremony followed by partying into the night, but with a more casual vibe overall. For example, some guests will be camping there overnight, and I think the brides are both wearing short dresses.
I don't want to spend a ton but it seems like I should accessorize differently for the two different events. Budget is modest - I'd love to spend no more than $150-200 on all accessories for both weddings - but show me what you'd recommend and I'll consider, and maybe shop for cheaper versions of the same look. Your thoughts on hair and makeup are also welcome. Thanks!
I am planning to wear this dress to two different weddings this spring.
The first wedding is in Boston. There is an afternoon ceremony and evening reception (no break in between), at the same venue, the garden of a historic mansion. The whole affair is sort of casual-meets-formal: fancy venue but outdoors; barbecue dinner but dancing into the night; bride will be in a princessy gown. It's my best friend's wedding and though there is no bridal party, I feel like it's important that I dress for a special occasion. That said, I also want to be comfortable enough to dance the night away, so I'm considering wearing flats (also because the dress is long so you'll barely see my shoes). What would you recommend for shoes, bag, and jewelry to dress up the look?
The second wedding is at a farm in Colorado. Also an afternoon ceremony followed by partying into the night, but with a more casual vibe overall. For example, some guests will be camping there overnight, and I think the brides are both wearing short dresses.
I don't want to spend a ton but it seems like I should accessorize differently for the two different events. Budget is modest - I'd love to spend no more than $150-200 on all accessories for both weddings - but show me what you'd recommend and I'll consider, and maybe shop for cheaper versions of the same look. Your thoughts on hair and makeup are also welcome. Thanks!
I would totally wear red wedges with that dress - wedges are much easier to walk and dance in than normal heels, and don't sink into the grass when you walk in the garden.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 11:45 PM on May 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 11:45 PM on May 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
For the first wedding I think d'orsay flats seem fancier than ballet flats while being just as comfortable for dancing. These go with that dress, in my opinion. I'm seeing gold accessories with it, but you can find d'orsay flats in any color.
For jewelery, I like the idea of a gold cuff bracelet and long gold threader earrings with your hair up to show them off. You can find both of these inexpensively on etsy. For example this bracelet and these earrings.
For the second wedding, I'm thinking red fringey sandals like these. Maybe a red enamel bracelet like this or this and some flower shaped studs like these or these. Hair down in waves, but pinned back from face.
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 3:33 AM on May 3, 2017
For jewelery, I like the idea of a gold cuff bracelet and long gold threader earrings with your hair up to show them off. You can find both of these inexpensively on etsy. For example this bracelet and these earrings.
For the second wedding, I'm thinking red fringey sandals like these. Maybe a red enamel bracelet like this or this and some flower shaped studs like these or these. Hair down in waves, but pinned back from face.
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 3:33 AM on May 3, 2017
Gorgeous dress, lots of different possibilities.
You'll need something to keep your arms warm at both events. It sounds like the Boston party will be more likely to have outdoor space heaters so you could go with a soft wrap/shawl in any of the colors in the pattern of the dress. I'd be partial to red but a light blue would be less "loud", or a shimmery gold would be lovely if that goes with your complexion. For the Colorado party I bet things will get chilly. Consider a drapey open front cardigan - find one in a color that goes with other things you wear day to day so you wear it more often and the cost is lessened overall, like a navy, warm brown, or army green would all work with that dress.
Since the dress has strong embellishment over the chest with a high neck and those tassels in the back, avoid necklaces. For Boston you might want to stick with more classic and simple, so maybe a clean metallic linear drop earring and a coordinating cuff bracelet, or a cocktail ring with an accent color pulled from the wedding party (as a subtle nod toward your best friend of the bride status). You could also forgo earrings and do something sparkly in your hair, like a metallic clip or beaded comb. In general, don't overdo the jewelry, since the dress has so much going on. For Colorado I like the idea of rolling with the botanical aspect of the print and wearing jewelry that echoes that. Some floral earrings and a stone bracelet, or a leather braided cuff and a faux flower hair pin. Tassels were really in style as an accessory motif last year, I bet you could find many things on excellent sale that have tassels of one sort or another that would tie into the dress, like a tasseled charm bracelet or a purse with tassels on the clasp.
I wouldn't worry much about purses for either event. You'll probably set it under your chair and forget about it the whole night, and if there are formal pictures you'd set your purse aside anyway. Do get something with a strap so you aren't saddled with a clutch when you're trying to get to the bathroom or whatever. I have a little gold purse that has served me well for pretty much every wedding I've ever been to (and as a singleton in my 30s boy howdy have I been to a lot of weddings), it has a silver strap that tucks inside of it when I don't want it but is long enough to be a cross body on me, I usually wear gold as my metallic so it almost always goes, and it is the perfect size for wallet/phone/keys/lipstick/menstrual supplies/pills. I think I got it half off at dsw warehouse.
Wrt shoes: decide on heel height before you get it hemmed. If you don't need it hemmed while you're wearing flats, then you definitely want to wear flats. If you are a heel wearing person who wants to wear them (different strokes different folks I guess) then you'll want the hem to include that heel height - so if the heels are three inches, add three inches to your perfect hem. This makes the dress fall nicely and takes advantage of the heel height to lengthen your perceived torso blah blah fashion blah. Conversely, if your hem is too short with heels then it looks kinda funny and creates an odd line at your ankles, making you seem shorter. But honestly, go with flats. I'd even suggest an ankle boot, especially for the Colorado wedding. Red would be pretty, but any color from the pattern or to work with your accessories would be nice, including navy or whiskey brown. Keep it a solid color and don't worry about matching too much - they will mostly be obscured by the dress and the movement of your feet. Closed toe is a good idea for outdoor events, and for things where you'll be dancing a lot because you can wear those low ankle socks for added comfort.
posted by Mizu at 3:39 AM on May 3, 2017
You'll need something to keep your arms warm at both events. It sounds like the Boston party will be more likely to have outdoor space heaters so you could go with a soft wrap/shawl in any of the colors in the pattern of the dress. I'd be partial to red but a light blue would be less "loud", or a shimmery gold would be lovely if that goes with your complexion. For the Colorado party I bet things will get chilly. Consider a drapey open front cardigan - find one in a color that goes with other things you wear day to day so you wear it more often and the cost is lessened overall, like a navy, warm brown, or army green would all work with that dress.
Since the dress has strong embellishment over the chest with a high neck and those tassels in the back, avoid necklaces. For Boston you might want to stick with more classic and simple, so maybe a clean metallic linear drop earring and a coordinating cuff bracelet, or a cocktail ring with an accent color pulled from the wedding party (as a subtle nod toward your best friend of the bride status). You could also forgo earrings and do something sparkly in your hair, like a metallic clip or beaded comb. In general, don't overdo the jewelry, since the dress has so much going on. For Colorado I like the idea of rolling with the botanical aspect of the print and wearing jewelry that echoes that. Some floral earrings and a stone bracelet, or a leather braided cuff and a faux flower hair pin. Tassels were really in style as an accessory motif last year, I bet you could find many things on excellent sale that have tassels of one sort or another that would tie into the dress, like a tasseled charm bracelet or a purse with tassels on the clasp.
I wouldn't worry much about purses for either event. You'll probably set it under your chair and forget about it the whole night, and if there are formal pictures you'd set your purse aside anyway. Do get something with a strap so you aren't saddled with a clutch when you're trying to get to the bathroom or whatever. I have a little gold purse that has served me well for pretty much every wedding I've ever been to (and as a singleton in my 30s boy howdy have I been to a lot of weddings), it has a silver strap that tucks inside of it when I don't want it but is long enough to be a cross body on me, I usually wear gold as my metallic so it almost always goes, and it is the perfect size for wallet/phone/keys/lipstick/menstrual supplies/pills. I think I got it half off at dsw warehouse.
Wrt shoes: decide on heel height before you get it hemmed. If you don't need it hemmed while you're wearing flats, then you definitely want to wear flats. If you are a heel wearing person who wants to wear them (different strokes different folks I guess) then you'll want the hem to include that heel height - so if the heels are three inches, add three inches to your perfect hem. This makes the dress fall nicely and takes advantage of the heel height to lengthen your perceived torso blah blah fashion blah. Conversely, if your hem is too short with heels then it looks kinda funny and creates an odd line at your ankles, making you seem shorter. But honestly, go with flats. I'd even suggest an ankle boot, especially for the Colorado wedding. Red would be pretty, but any color from the pattern or to work with your accessories would be nice, including navy or whiskey brown. Keep it a solid color and don't worry about matching too much - they will mostly be obscured by the dress and the movement of your feet. Closed toe is a good idea for outdoor events, and for things where you'll be dancing a lot because you can wear those low ankle socks for added comfort.
posted by Mizu at 3:39 AM on May 3, 2017
I like red with that - red bag (beaded?), red wedge shoes.
posted by aimedwander at 7:56 AM on May 3, 2017
posted by aimedwander at 7:56 AM on May 3, 2017
I also think wedges would look good with that dress (which is really pretty). Think about a garden party hat, close-woven straw with a largish brim. I'd go for red but any color that's in the dress that you like would be good. You can pin a small bouquet to it for the Boston party, and a scarf tied around it for the Colorado less formal party. I always think a hat dresses up an outfit for a wedding, especially daytime ones.
posted by MovableBookLady at 8:44 AM on May 3, 2017
posted by MovableBookLady at 8:44 AM on May 3, 2017
With that budget, and that length dress, I'd probably put a chunk of the money into a single pair of shoes that feel comfy and work well with the dress, rather than trying to fund two separate pairs of shoes that are cheaper and possibly less comfortable.
posted by instamatic at 10:01 AM on May 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by instamatic at 10:01 AM on May 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks, all! You are awesome and it was so helpful and fun to read your suggestions and check out your links. Much appreciated!
posted by TrixieRamble at 9:04 PM on May 5, 2017
posted by TrixieRamble at 9:04 PM on May 5, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
1st wedding
Jewelry - classy cuff bracelet (I thought silver but ymmv) here's one, here's another;
delicate dangly earrings (here's other ones), updo (if your hair is long) with something sparkly in it, something like this maybe.
Shoes - froufy ballerina-type flats like these (or these), or silver slide sandals like these. I lean towards the ballerina shoes bc they are closed and honestly outdoors you're always looking at ending up with damp and/or mosquito bitten feet.
Bag - a simple clutch or this
Makeup - Classic, vintage "done up" - standard medium to high coverage foundation, a delicate blush, a little contour to carve out some shadows and highlights, simple cat wing top eyeliner or smokey eye with tasteful but bold fake lashes, a red or mauve lip, preferably something good quality and long wearing so that you don't have it all over your face. Defined brows.
2nd wedding
Maybe a bit more lighthearted/natural/hippie/hay in your hair vibe, play more with textures a bit with pom poms, straw elements, etc. The "festival"/boho trend is going to be your friend as it has reached all levels of retailers so you can get fun accessories for cheap. Pick a couple of "flare items" and then for everything else you can use the stuff from Wedding 1.
Jewelry - I think texture (1, 2, 3) and mineral elements (geodes, crystals, amber, opal, turquoise).
For the hair, you could do something like this. Style it flowy, with beachy waves. If your hair hates waving then straight and loose is also good, or with some braids at the crown. Short hair means you can pop on a cute fascinator or hat or simple headband.
Bag - this, or this? Maybe a vintage-y straw bag. Even a straight up beach bag could work.
Shoes - some espadrilles (chunky heeled or flat, up to you, but farm wise I think staying low to the ground is wise). Something like this or this would also be very cute. Again, texture is great.
Makeup - dewy, glowy, dreamy, ethereal. Highlighter or luminous foundation, a soft blush which could be a shimmery one if you want to skip highlighting, or more of a "flush" in a color that works with your skin tone (think whatever color you blush). Wispy, fluttery lashes. Light on eyeliner and if you do a shadow do something fairly neutral, or a sheer wash of a jewel tone color. A nude lip, a sparkly/holo gloss or something easy you can throw in a bag (tinted balms are great for this). Lightly filled in brows.
For both weddings I'd say get a nice pashmina/capelet/cardigan for when it gets chilly or bugs or what have you.
posted by SassHat at 11:30 PM on May 2, 2017 [4 favorites]