Sleeveless maxi is a fancier fabric with a shrug or short cardigan, this allows maximum air flow if it’t hot & you could even take the shrug off if the reception is hot. Depending on your build, perhaps a V neck empire waist would give you length?
I see the EF and others have a lot of options that drop straight down from the shoulders, very simple, BUT, in my personal experience, not great with an ample busom. I think I look heavy with something that drops straight down from the chest (even that cute tank dress, depending how it’s cut), much better to have some sort of band, Empire style, below the boobs:
I could absolutely wear that Maggie Tang dress you saw on Amazon, I do maxis & bright colors & patterns, but you have to choose colors and styles that are “you.”
I vote for something more boho, colorful, flowing and loose for the type of wedding described. Not knowing your exact style or what shape you think works best on you, take a peek at the 2 pages of dresses at Sundance Catalog to see if anything might be appealing. I think a lot of their dresses are pretty and could work for that type of event:
http://www.sundancecatalog.com/category/womens+clothing/womens+dresses.do?sortby=ourPicks&page=1
I really liked the Maggie Tang dress too, but really need to see things ON, to know how they fall and look. I’ve had things that look amazing in photos but blah on and vice versa.
How about something like this?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/printed-wrap-dress/4131788
or this?
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/first-classic-dress-in-cobalt
BTW, ModCloth is a FABULOUS place to shop for a dress because it offers a lot of artsy, funky, etc. dresses in plus sizes, and many users are not shy about posting their own photos with the reviews (which are usually spot on!).
ModCloth is a great suggestion.
I too am concerned about a maxi for someone who is 5’4" and has an ample bosom. I am 5’4" and not plus sized but am busty and a maxi dress would not flatter me at all. It’s just too much fabric for my height. If her legs are a slim, good feature, I’d want either tea length to show them off or a narrow more fitted pant.
I also have a summer wedding on the beach coming up and was thinking an off-white suit with cropped pants/shorter jacket and a silk(ish) camisole under, maybe something really colorful to match flats with? Sounds like we are the same body type, except I hit 5’1 on a really good day. If anyone comes across something like this, please post?
@Pizzagirl It depends on the cut of the maxi dress, not all are flowy. It will be important to try something on. I am 5’4 and find that tea lengths , if not the exact right length can actually make some people look shorter and choppy. Fit is everything. I wouldn’t suggest buying anything online that can’t be returned.
Fair point!
NEPatsgirl,
Are you in the wedding party? If so, are you the MOB or MOG? MOB and I stayed away from off white and black and chose presses in the Royal/navy blue range. Just wondering if you are going to be in lots of wedding photos. Might make a difference. Just a thought. Good luck.
No, I"m family but with the exception of one photo of the extended family I doubt I’ll be in anything. Bridesmaids are wearing navy blue or I would have gone with that 
@NEPatsGirl I would avoid white as well. Maybe I’m just old school. Maybe another neutral like a light gray or beige? Just a thought. Or maybe a smoky Aqua .
What is a shrug?
And NEPatsgirl, do you look better in strong, bright colors, or pastels? Carolinamom2boys has some good suggestions.
I think most tea length dresses are unflattering – especially the longer ones. And, in order for them to look good, you need high heels, which doesn’t work at a park. And since they draw attention to the ankles, they are risky when traveling if your ankles tend to swell on planes. Just my opinion; I know many on here disagree.
SO many good thoughts here – thank you all! I’m at work now and can’t look at them all, but i’ll be back tonight to sort through the links and ideas! I am liking the flowy/boho top idea more and more, but it helps to see images …
I think a white or off-white pantsuit is fine for a guest at a beach wedding. A pantsuit is so different from a wedding gown that there would be no sense that you are competing with the bride.
Ah, I looked us a shrug- the short sweater tops. I used those also at the summer wedding last year. Easy to carry too! So good idea!
Jym - a shrug is like a really tiny sweater that just covers the shoulders/arms but isn’t long and doesn’t button in the front. They are good for people who like a sundress or sleeveless dress but are conscious about upper arms. Here’s an example.
Off topic, but they are also good for travel if you are going someplace where you might need to cover up to go into a cathedral, mosque, synagogue, etc. I wore them in Israel and Egypt where there were modesty concerns. Of course, a shawl can serve the same purpose - just personal preference.
Free People has 583 hippie dresses…perhaps one of them has your name on it! http://www.freepeople.com/dresses/?browseState=updated&hasLeftNav=YES&startResult=1&showAll=1&sizes=lt
I like the dresses in posts 21,22 and 31. If it is a coastal wedding, it can be very cool in the summer.