a wedding being held in August in Austin, Texas. Start time is 6:00 pm. The venue is an Omni Resort and Spa for both the ceremony and the reception. Dress is listed as “formal.” We are long-time, close, family friends with dh’s friendship going back to childhood with the father of the groom. Groom’s parents are our ds’s godparents.
I am primarily torn between whether or not to wear a short or long dress. I know I can technically go either way on length, but I would like thoughts on this aspect and also input on color (is black okay???). I am leaning toward a short dress because of: 1) heat, and 2) ease of dancing. However, all indications are this will be a high-falutin’ affair. Dh does not own a tux and will likely wear a dark suit. Unless you tell me he should rent a tux.
Not necessarily looking for specific dress suggestions - more general thoughts on the above. However, if you want to link dresses (I know some of ya’ll are very good at that!), feel free! I am 5’4’ tall but very long-waisted with shorter legs. Cannot wear petite sizes at all. I am trim-curvy and in good shape. In my 50s. Brunette and fair-skinned. Absolutely NO dresses that require a strapless bra. I can do a halter bra if there is enough fabric coverage at the neckline to accommodate the strap around the back of the neck. I simply HAVE to have a pulley system for the girls.
If any part of this wedding will be outdoors, do not wear black. Too hot. Even the walk from the car to an air conditioned ballroom could leave you a sweaty mess. Short cocktail dress would be perfectly appropriate… Austin is extremely casual. Check out Rent the Runway!
Short is perfectly acceptable and for TX in the summer, probably preferable.
Dark suit is fine.
As my bisabuela is fond of saying, that adage went out with high button shoes. As long as the look is not funereal, black is fine. I’d probably avoid because of the heat, but it’s still a fine choice.
I have assembled quite a collection of lace cocktail dresses for weddings and formal events (long, short, black, summer colors, sleeveless, sleeved, etc). I always thought lace would be itchy, stiff, and unforgiving but all the ones I have are slightly “stretchy” and soft. Here are a few examples:
Yes, it will be very hot and possibly humid. Do you know if the wedding will be inside the hotel? If it’s outside at 6:00 pm, it will be sweltering. Austin is pretty laid back and there aren’t many events that are truly formal. A dark suit and a “festive” dress for you should be fine.
I love the idea of ankle or floor length skirt with either a fitted white shirt (Carolina Herrera style) or simple sleeveless shirt.
If I had a place to wear one of these skirts, I’d be all over it! I think the drop waist or inverted pleat styles could be dressed up or down, and look timeless and chic.
It is also available at other stores in a navy and a light sort of icy blue. I am partial to the “summer plum” color. Thoughts? I could be talked into the fuchsia or turquoise as well. On another site, the fuchsia appears much brighter. It is a bit challenging assessing colors on websites.
