@mom60 I also have the knockoff version of the dress from Quince! I bought that one so that I would have a couple of cute dresses for our Mexico City trip in June.
Most any Lily Pulitzer dressy outfit will work on Martha’s Vineyard. Here’s a section from the website on wedding guest dresses. Some of the dresses are for younger women, but there’s a good selection for older women too.
If you are going to take a car to the Vineyard, make reservations now!!! There’s only one ferry service for cars (The Seamship Authority). I assume the bride/groom have provided guests with information on to get to/from the island.
I think those dress codes are broad enough that you’ll have lots of choices once you have time to get shopping. My advice for MV is to have a sweater or jacket for evening - it could get breezy/cool.
Yesterday I walked through an Old Navy store and saw lots of dresses (all under $50, many under $30) that would fit the bill for the before-wedding event. But of course my budget is extremely limited.
OP- do you have a Talbots or Talbots outlet store near you? I find their salespeople incredibly helpful at deciphering dress codes, including all the “business casual” or “casual Friday” or “business dress” or whatever which is on conference invitations these days. I’ll bet they can figure out a wedding invite in a hot minute!
The Talbots outlet near me closed during covid… their salespeople were fantastic, and could usually set me up with whatever I needed including a dress that you can stuff into a carryon bag which was $19… when that falls apart, I’ll come back to this group for help!
Full price it is $219. Talbots always has a sale but to me, but I wouldn’t call it a budget option if that’s what you are looking for.
If I’m a wedding guest, my budget is probably less than what it would be if I’m the mob, which I will be. So my budget is more than what it might be if I were a guest.
Although I did spend a bit more for my niece’s wedding because 1)I’m going to wear the same dress to one of my daughter’s events. And 2)I wanted to feel pretty and confident when being around my ex sil. Who I feel frumpy and awkward around.
A lot of the churches on the cape are not air conditioned, so be prepared.
I think you’ll see a lot of Lilly Pulitzer at the first event, men in seersucker suits or very lightweight and light colored slacks and blazers, no neckties.
But really, what do you feel comfortable in?
I’m going to a wedding on June 22 too. I expect it to be hot, so even though it is ‘black tie optional’ I will be chosing the ‘optional’ and wearing a cocktail type dress. The bride has already warned us to not wear spiky high heals as it is in a backyard (no problem, I don’t wear high heels of any kind). They basically said they just don’t want people wearing shorts or jeans.