<p>I think the food truck thing is big among young adults in urban areas for lunch and is a cheaper catering option. I’ve heard of some others doing it too. My D and future SIL are vegetarian and don’t want to serve meat either, so it’s been an adventure for them and the caterer. Looks like rice and beans, fajita vegetables, fried potatoes w/chipolte sauce, quesadilla, and lots of salsa/guacamole/salad fixings will be on the menu. No one should starve, but it won’t be elegant. And if folks need meat there’s a Chipotle and and In-n-Out less than a mile away! D and SIL are paying for the wedding, and I keep trying to give her a little money for budget overruns, but she believes it is “unethical” to spend more than that on a wedding. I think it is unhealthy to make yourself crazy! They are great kids though, so I want to respect their choices.</p>
<p>I love all this talk about weddings and mother of the blank dresses. All the weddings sound wonderful. Beachy, bohemian and shabby chic with a taco truck. Wonderful!</p>
<p>My3girls, my MIL spent more on her dress than I did mine. She looked wonderful and I was super worried about finances. Oh well, she wore that dress a ton. </p>
<p>If I was the MOB this is the dress I covet. [Lilly</a> Pulitzer - Marta Dress](<a href=“Colorful Dresses | Floral Dresses | Lilly Pulitzer”>Colorful Dresses | Floral Dresses | Lilly Pulitzer). It has nothing to do with any suggestions here lol! I really like it and I’m dreaming. No weddings in my near future. </p>
<p>Good luck to all the mothers of … It’s fun to live vicariously.</p>
<p>deb–that is gorgeous, and I’d like a sight in it! LOL.</p>
<p>As far as weddings in near future, my D is 30, so probably older than many people’s here, and these two have been a couple for almost 8 years. So, it was about time!</p>
<p>deb, that is the same dress I was just looking at on Lilly Pulitzer’s site! I was hesitant to post it because it is only available in dark blue and white and it is fitted. Yes, it is gorgeous!!!</p>
<p>I really like the Alex dress in#58. I think, assuming the top fits, that it would be flattering on a somewhat hippy shape.</p>
<p>I just sent the link to the one in #58 to my D and got an enthusiastic “yes” to the style. I think we’re starting to get a direction here. (I’m a tall size 14 so this is a real possibility for me!)</p>
<p>I am so happy to read of the non-bridezilla wedding approaches described in this thread. How refreshing!</p>
<p>My D is being married in late September outdoors on a museum site and her groom will wear khakis and a blazer with a purple tie. Her own dress was ordered online and on sale. Simple sheath – no train, no veil (she says veils are a carryover from arranged marriages and she plans to just wear flowers in her hair.) She asked her six-years-younger brother, a newly minted engineer, to officiate. He is bemused and signed up for Toastmasters to get in form.</p>
<p>I do not have my dress. Bridesmaids are wearing different dresses (their own choices) in a “spiced wine” shade of purple. The maid of honor chose the Mirabelle J Crew dress mentioned above. <a href=“http://www.jcrew.com/wedding/Wedding_Bridesmaid/silkchiffon/PRDOVR~66737/66737.jsp[/url]”>http://www.jcrew.com/wedding/Wedding_Bridesmaid/silkchiffon/PRDOVR~66737/66737.jsp</a> The other two attendants will wear different J Crew styles in the same color.</p>
<p>My own dress will be more of a challenge. I am a borderline plus size and short (5’2"). Plus I have a mastectomy so need coverage on top (no v-neck).</p>
<p>Wedding is at 10 a.m. along the Charles River. Reception will immediately follow (tented buffet luncheon with dancing, etc.). They also have spoken of having croquet and other lawn games set up. But I expect to spend my time mixing with the guests.</p>
<p>Suggestions encouraged!</p>
<p>Thank you, Garland, for getting this thread started!</p>
<p>garland, I got an email two days ago from CC that it’s buy one at full price, get the second at 50% off, expires 3/10. No code required.</p>
<p>I am thinking of ordering a couple of things and seeing what looks good. Sometimes CC looks great online, but not so much IRL. Also like this one: [Coldwater</a> Creek](<a href=“http://www.coldwatercreek.com/product-detail/64142/70982/acropolis-maxi-dress.aspx?colorid=070&refLink=misses-dresses.aspx]Coldwater”>http://www.coldwatercreek.com/product-detail/64142/70982/acropolis-maxi-dress.aspx?colorid=070&refLink=misses-dresses.aspx)</p>
<p>Would help if I knew what MOB is wearing, but she hasn’t decided. Colors are royal blue and silver, but I cannot wear silver to save my life. I really like the Alex from post #58, too, but am concerned it may be too open across the top. Would rather not show my scar all evening, and I don’t really have cleavage to support the neckline. It’s 10% off through today, though!!</p>
<p>Love the Marta dress. Would love to have the body for it, too! :)</p>
<p>OK…was able to see the original post dress on my computer (not on my IPad). I really LIKE it. Yes, it’s a pattern, but not flowers or checks…just a hodgepodge of pretty colors. For the type of wedding Garland is describing, it looks really perfect to me. A somewhat Bohemian look but not TOO Bohemian.</p>
<p>I actually think I may have seen this exact dress in the display window at our Coldwater Creek store.</p>
<p>There is a way to see the links that direct you to the front page of the mobile site instead of the item. Click on the link, let the mobile site open in a separate Safari window, then find the link to the full site (usually on the bottom), let it open, then close the window. Then go back to the original post with the item link and it will open on the right page. :)</p>
<p>Most of these dresses are polyester. We have an event coming up, and it will be too hot for anything but natural fibers. Does anyone specialize in cotton or silk these days?</p>
<p>Loved the Marta dress when I first saw it, as well…unfortunately, so did every copy cat designer out there from Kohl’s to Marshalls 
I returned my dress and am continuing the hunt.</p>
<p>Most retailers sell a mix of natural and synthetic fibers - synthetic is no longer the domain of cheaper clothing. Prada and other designers use both. Just check labels. I also don’t think top quality synthetics are particularly hot any more. </p>
<p>Several of the dresses already posted are silk or cotton:</p>
<p>[Mirabelle</a> dress in silk chiffon - silk chiffon - Wedding’s Bridesmaid - J.Crew](<a href=“http://www.jcrew.com/wedding/Wedding_Bridesmaid/silkchiffon/PRDOVR~66737/66737.jsp]Mirabelle”>http://www.jcrew.com/wedding/Wedding_Bridesmaid/silkchiffon/PRDOVR~66737/66737.jsp)</p>
<p>[Sleeveless</a> Cotton Lace Dress | Lord and Taylor](<a href=“http://www.lordandtaylor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?urlRequestType=Base&catalogId=10102&categoryId=14502&productId=1515353&errorViewName=ProductDisplayErrorView&urlLangId=-1&langId=-1&top_category=&parent_category_rn=&storeId=10151]Sleeveless”>http://www.lordandtaylor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?urlRequestType=Base&catalogId=10102&categoryId=14502&productId=1515353&errorViewName=ProductDisplayErrorView&urlLangId=-1&langId=-1&top_category=&parent_category_rn=&storeId=10151)</p>
<p>[10</a> Crosby Derek Lam - Silk Halter Maxi Dress - Saks.com](<a href=“http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306418059&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446567232&R=478553478247&P_name=10+Crosby+Derek+Lam&N=306418059&bmUID=jR1U7BW]10”>http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306418059&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446567232&R=478553478247&P_name=10+Crosby+Derek+Lam&N=306418059&bmUID=jR1U7BW)</p>
<p>[Parker</a> - Feather-Print Silk Maxi Dress - Saks.com](<a href=“http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306440464&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446537235&R=478922319027&P_name=Parker&N=306440464&bmUID=jR1WhWw]Parker”>http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306440464&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446537235&R=478922319027&P_name=Parker&N=306440464&bmUID=jR1WhWw)</p>
<p>[kate</a> spade new york Blanche Dress | Bloomingdale’s](<a href=“http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/kate-spade-new-york-blanche-dress?ID=688339&CategoryID=2910&LinkType=PDPZ1#fn%3Dspp%3D1]kate”>http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/kate-spade-new-york-blanche-dress?ID=688339&CategoryID=2910&LinkType=PDPZ1#fn%3Dspp%3D1)</p>
<p>[Lela</a> Rose Floral-Print Halter Dress - Bergdorf Goodman](<a href=“http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/p/Lela-Rose-Floral-Print-Halter-Dress-lela-rose/prod83550028___/?icid=&searchType=MAIN&rte=%252Fsearch.jsp%253FN%253D0%2526Ntt%253Dlela%252Brose%2526_requestid%253D11386&eItemId=prod83550028&cmCat=search]Lela”>http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/p/Lela-Rose-Floral-Print-Halter-Dress-lela-rose/prod83550028___/?icid=&searchType=MAIN&rte=%252Fsearch.jsp%253FN%253D0%2526Ntt%253Dlela%252Brose%2526_requestid%253D11386&eItemId=prod83550028&cmCat=search)</p>
<p>[Donna</a> Morgan ‘Julie’ Twist-Waist Silk Chiffon Gown | Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/donna-morgan-julie-twist-waist-silk-chiffon-gown/3420745?origin=category&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Blush&resultback=0]Donna”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/donna-morgan-julie-twist-waist-silk-chiffon-gown/3420745?origin=category&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Blush&resultback=0)</p>
<p>Love this discussion of wedding options and how couples choose their approach to the event. </p>
<p>The great dress links have inspired me to seek some suggestions here. We have a wedding to attend late spring in the northeast. It will be in a formal, urban setting and the couple requests black tie, with roaring twenties attire. I am 5’8", size 6/8, not busty and don’t want to emphasize the hips, also preferring some upper arm coverage - more of rectangle than an hourglass. I would love to be able to find a dress that would suggest that time-frame, but also be versatile. I look forward to choosing shoes, accessories and a hairstyle that make reference to the twenties. Thanks for any ideas.</p>
<p>What a fabulous theme for a wedding! I love 20s style. The first thing that comes to mind is a dropped waist or a loose shift. Do you want a shorter, cocktail length, or a gown? Any color in mind? Beaded? This dress is cute - simple, yet sparkly enough for formal. Keep in mind that the model is 5’11" and it’s a size four. At 5’8" - an eight would hit the kneecap on most women. I would wear this a little looser, so the 8 may be best.</p>
<p>[Diane</a> von Furstenberg - Barbie Embellished Silk Dress - Saks.com](<a href=“http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306422146&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446558297&R=886115543621&P_name=Diane+von+Furstenberg&N=306422146&bmUID=jR9OsW3]Diane”>http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306422146&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446558297&R=886115543621&P_name=Diane+von+Furstenberg&N=306422146&bmUID=jR9OsW3)</p>
<p>I bought my MOG dress from Boden’s special occasion collection last year. They don’t have a special occasion collection this year, but there are two very reasonably priced dresses that have MOB/MOG potential for an outdoor or beach wedding, IMO.[Lace</a> Dress WH436 Knee Length Dresses at Boden](<a href=“http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Dresses/Knee-Length-Dresses/WH436/Womens-Lace-Dress.html?NavGroupID=4]Lace”>http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Dresses/Knee-Length-Dresses/WH436/Womens-Lace-Dress.html?NavGroupID=4)
[Darcey</a> Dress WH464 Above Knee Dresses at Boden](<a href=“http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Dresses/Above-Knee-Dresses/WH464/Womens-Darcey-Dress.html?NavGroupID=4]Darcey”>http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Dresses/Above-Knee-Dresses/WH464/Womens-Darcey-Dress.html?NavGroupID=4)</p>
<p>One thing about buying an off the rack dress at CWC…you do run the risk of seeing someone else wearing the same dress at that wedding! I don’t know about the rest of you, but of my DD or DS ever get married, I want to be the only one at the event in MY dress! So…if it were me, I would choose a vendor that is either less commonly shipped (Boden, for example) or get something that MOB would look at and buy, but guests would not look at.</p>
<p>I love that J. Crew dress Gourtmetmom linked.</p>
<p>OP: Your original dress is beautiful. I love the style, but I would caution all those colors clashing in the pictures. Solids are best.</p>
<p>Thanks chefmom and gourmetmom. I don’t want a gown, but a cocktail dress that at least hits the top of my knee. I am leggy so I have be aware of length. Am I the only one who wants online sites to show dresses from the side and back, as well as front (straight-on)? Drives me crazy not to see all angles. I am generally a “tailored” dresser, but might enjoy subtle embellishments or beading. Prefer it not be black; I look good in silvery gray, purples, blues, but rarely wear pale pastels. Corals and greens are challenging. I don’t think a true flapper with a camisole like top or a tight drop waist would be flattering. I like the shape and sleeves of the linked dress, though I’d prefer fewer sequins. Thanks for the links- I’ll check out the rent the runway for additional ideas.i appreciate your suggestions.</p>