<p>My favorite is the very last one–link posted separately. Love the color and it’s perfect for a casual, fall outdoor wedding. Others seem more formal.</p>
<p>I like the first one.</p>
<p>I liked the first one the best of these, but they all seem too formal for an outdoor, casual wedding. I guess it depends on the setting: are we talking outdoors as in on the terrace of a club or something, the lawn of a private house with a tent, or are we talking picnic tables in a park? And by BBQ, do we really mean grilling?</p>
<p>I have a hard time envisioning beading and lace and shiny fabrics–other than silk–at an outdoor wedding where the men will be in khakis and white shirts with no jackets.</p>
<p>I really like this one from the Dillards link:</p>
<p>[Alex</a> Evenings Woman Portrait-Collar Mesh Gown | Dillards.com](<a href=“Access Denied”>Access Denied)</p>
<p>BTW, what time of day is this wedding?</p>
<p>Oct. 19, by a lake, yes, grilling = barbecue.<br>
CCC, thanks for reminding me about Dillards. Off to look!</p>
<p>I think the first one will be very flattering on. If the neckline plunges too far, perhaps a seamstress could put in a few tack stitches so that it still looks natural put gives you a little more coverage.</p>
<p>Like music mom I like the AP lace sheath dress. Third dress in post 1</p>
<p>Like Consolation, I’m having a hard time imagining these at an event where it’s an outdoor BBQ, but maybe I’m not envisioning the right event. What level of dress do you anticipate guests will be wearing? Is someone catering / doing grilling or is it DIY, and is it casual food or something more gourmet? Will you be on grass or on cement?</p>
<p>I’m with musicmom: I like dress #3.</p>
<p>I really like #3 too, and it could be worn with a more casual sandal or wedge to make it great for a casual outdoor wedding. To me, the most important thing is for VaBluebird to be comfortable in the dress so she can enjoy the wedding and won’t have to spend an instant adjusting it or worrying about it. #3 is more fitted than the others, with a narrower skirt. If they’re equally comfortable for the OP, I would indeed choose #3.</p>
<p>Too late to edit my post. I just noticed the exposed zipper on #3. While I have nothing against exposed zippers, I’m not sure it would be my choice for a MOG dress. I’m back to voting for #1.</p>
<p>I agree that it would probably be no problem to add a few stitches to #1 if its lower than you’re comfortable with. You could also wear a lace camisole that is meant to peek out if it looks right. It’s a style that looks comfortable and flattering. </p>
<p>The other dresses are also very nice. Good luck trying them on to see which one suits you best. I always have a hard time knowing how things will fit and fall until I try them on. Even lengths aren’t always what you think.</p>
<p>I like the first one, and I really like the one Consolation posted. My concern about the last one posted by the OP is that embellishment on the hip. My body type does not need more attention in that spot. That will vary by body type though. I think the one Consolation posted, for my body type, would be slimming.</p>
<p>If I were a pear shape I would love the first two, but since I am an apple, I would go with the third and avoid the 4th because of where the jacket hits.</p>
<p>like Mizzbee I am more of an apple. The first dress would bring attention right down to my problem area my stomach.
My good friend on the other hand is larger chested and has a flatter stomach and could handle the first two dresses and they would look great on her.
I don’t mind the zipper on dress 3.
You might have a few clear favorites after you have tried them on.</p>
<p>VaBluebird, what time of day is the wedding? Will there be a white tent and rented tables with nice tablecloths kind of scene, or is it going to be a full-on BBQ with red checked table covers, or something in between?</p>
<p>I am concerned that most of the things you are looking at are too dressy and too matronly. How about some of these? :)</p>
<p>[ABS</a>, Salon Z - Floral-Print Fit & Flare Dress - Saks.com](<a href=“http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306423953&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446623420&R=706277049246&P_name=ABS%2C+Salon+Z&N=306423953&bmUID=k3T9abn]ABS”>http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306423953&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446623420&R=706277049246&P_name=ABS%2C+Salon+Z&N=306423953&bmUID=k3T9abn)</p>
<p>Outfit composed of these:</p>
<p>[Eileen</a> Fisher, Salon Z - Silk Crepe de Chine Boxy Top - Saks.com](<a href=“http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306423953&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446609119&R=886884813772&P_name=Eileen+Fisher%2C+Salon+Z&N=306423953&bmUID=k3Thn5E]Eileen”>http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306423953&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446609119&R=886884813772&P_name=Eileen+Fisher%2C+Salon+Z&N=306423953&bmUID=k3Thn5E)</p>
<p>[Eileen</a> Fisher, Salon Z - Stretch Silk Charmeuse Tank - Saks.com](<a href=“http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446609114]Eileen”>http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446609114)</p>
<p>[Eileen</a> Fisher, Salon Z - Lace Pencil Skirt - Saks.com](<a href=“http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306423966&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446609118&R=886884795498&P_name=Eileen+Fisher%2C+Salon+Z&N=306423966&bmUID=k3Tdmpz]Eileen”>http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306423966&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446609118&R=886884795498&P_name=Eileen+Fisher%2C+Salon+Z&N=306423966&bmUID=k3Tdmpz)</p>
<p>This dress with a dressy little jacket or cardigan:</p>
<p>[Kay</a> Unger, Salon Z - Coffee Dress - Saks.com](<a href=“http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306575075&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446547417&R=713642053333&P_name=Kay+Unger%2C+Salon+Z&N=306575075&bmUID=k3TiOrn]Kay”>http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306575075&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446547417&R=713642053333&P_name=Kay+Unger%2C+Salon+Z&N=306575075&bmUID=k3TiOrn)</p>
<p>Outfit like this with some nice jewelry and maybe an updo if it suits your hair:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306575075&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446585913&R=886884666248&P_name=Eileen+Fisher%2C+Salon+Z&N=1642+306575075&bmUID=k3Tk_6U[/url]”>http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306575075&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446585913&R=886884666248&P_name=Eileen+Fisher%2C+Salon+Z&N=1642+306575075&bmUID=k3Tk_6U</a></p>
<p>I mean the version without the scarf, which makes it more casual, but I can’t get the link to work.</p>
<p>From an October Virginia bride, almost 23 years ago, just be prepared it can be unexpectedly very warm, as in 85 warm. I was in heavy long sleeved satin, train, the works. I could not wait to get out of that dress. 
My mom and MIL were both in long sleeves as well. </p>
<p>Whatever you choose (and I can see liking them all depending on the venue, time of day, etc) I’d opt for something with no or short sleeves with a matching jacket so you’re prepared for anything. Never, ever trust Autumn temps in Virginia. Last November it was 80 on a Saturday in Charlottesville.</p>
<p>All the dresses are lovely. Since it outdoors, be mindful of your shoe selection. Spike heals are terrible on lawns. If it were me, I’d pick the shoes first… then try them on with various dresses.</p>
<p>Love #4! Do the rest of you not care for that one or do you think it’s too dressy? I think it’s by far the most attractive.</p>
<p>I think your first dress (the Pappell) one has a lot going for it in terms of it being very pretty, appropriate, and also flattering to a lot of body types.</p>