My daughter will be attending a wedding, and just sent me a picture of her in a beautiful floral print below the knew length dress. But when she told me the invitation said black tie optional, I hesitated. Doesn’t that mean she should either wear a gown or a cocktail dress? To me that eliminates anything that is a floral print.
What is confusing to us is that the wedding is outdoors at 3 pm. However, it is at a country club. But to us, her floral dress says outdoor afternoon wedding.
Assuming her dress isn’t just a casual dress but is relatively dressy, she should be OK. I imagine there will be a lot of women wearing knee-length or tea-length dresses. Three in the afternoon feels kind of early to put on a fancy evening gown.
outdoors at 3pm seems to not jive with Black Tie optional I hope you live in a cool climate so people aren’t melting! I agree with @VeryHappy - if the dress is dressy, she is probably okay. Heels instead of sandals and glam up the jewelry.
When and where is the wedding? Outdoor weddings around here lately – in central Texas – would be marathon sweat sessions! Two Saturdays ago, it was 108 for the high.
I agree with @VeryHappy that your daughter’s dress sounds fine for a 3:00 pm outdoor wedding.
If the ceremony is at 3pm, perhaps the reception is more like 5pm. I could see black tie for the reception into the evening. I think there are many dresses, including floral, that can transition in between afternoon outdoor and more formal. It depends on the cut and fabric.
What would I wear? A tux, but only because I have one. Otherwise I would opt for a dark suit. And although I would not tell this to the bride, black tie, whether optional or not, whether inside or outside, is a 6 p.m. or later event by strict rules of etiquette.
Since those rules have already been dispensed with, your daughter should wear what she’d like. I think her choice sounds lovely.
I think black tie optional means they are trying to get the guys out of polo shirts!
I couldn’t believe that my wedding (6 pm dinner afterwards). The wedding party was in tuxes, but guys were expected to be in suits - one friend wore a polo shirt. So maybe not a sundress, but I think a floral print dress could be very pretty. And I agree that VeryHappy’s dress or something similar would be fine.
I don’t agree. I think “black tie optional” means they want everyone NOT in their business casual outfits, or casual clothes. Your daughter’s dress sounds lovely.
What 20 something or even 30 something owns a “cocktail dress”?
Agree with @mathmom that this just means…dress nicely…nicer than everyday clothes…and no jeans, sneakers, t shirts or otherwise casual clothing.
The dress sounds fine to me. If the fashion police are that concerned with details, let them be so. Be sure to tell her what she plans is fine and to enjoy herself regardless of what others may wear. Her friend invited her for who she is, no need to worry about not being good enough. Be sure she chooses shoes she will be comfortable in- walking on grass et al. Again, tell her to enjoy and not be concerned about others’ choices.
D1 had a formal wedding without the black tie. She actually told every guy not a wear black tie. She said formal because she didn’t want women in sundresses. The wedding was at 3 indoor, with a quick outdoor cocktail hour before heading to an indoor venue. Many women wore long dresses, including D1’s friends, and others wore fairly fancy cocktail dresses.
She’s renting two dresses from Rent the Runway after consulting with her cousin who is an expert in putting together the perfect outfit,
I love the floral dress, but I don’t want her to look out of place, which I think she will. The wedding is being held at the local country club, and I would bet the ladies will be in gowns. We are not members.
Apparently many of her friends are not invited. Not sure how my daughter won an invitation, because she doesn’t even live stateside at the moment.
I hope you live in a cool climate so people aren’t melting! I agree with 
but only because I have one. Otherwise I would opt for a dark suit. And although I would not tell this to the bride, black tie, whether optional or not, whether inside or outside, is a 6 p.m. or later event by strict rules of etiquette.