I desperately need suggestions for my and my fiance’s wedding outfits. We’re getting married in high July at an outdoor pavilion without air conditioning, and our dress code is super-casual/cool/comfy (guests are being told they can wear jeans/shorts). Our colors are white and teal… I’m not really sure how to accessorize, since teal is kind of a niche color.
So far, all I’ve bought is a white maxi dress from Torrid. Any suggestions for shoes/undergarments/accessories? Here are pictures of it on their model:
I was thinking about wearing a wrist corsage and leaving my (long) hair down. But I am clueless about fashion, I guess I need a strapless bra? What about spanx? I’m a size 3x, so comfort/heat are factors. But I’m willing to wear constricting stuff if it makes the dress look better. Or should I just focus on alterations instead?
We are probably going to put my fiance in a white shirt and khaki pants (does this work?), with a boutonniere to match my corsage. He’s big and tall, size 3x, any suggestions on where to buy from? Should he tuck the shirt in? I guess we should get him a belt, we don’t want suspenders and I don’t think he’d look good in a vest…
Firstly, congrats to you both! And I’m going to solve three issues in one.
When you get the dress (lovely, btw, casual but classy) try it on w/ all the strapped bras you have and see which feels best; pay no mind to the sheer nature of the dress’s lace straps.
Once you’ve found which bra is most comfy while still having its straps within the dress, find cloth ribbon (in the teal you like) that’s slightly wider than the strap of said bra. Grosgrain or lacy pattern matters not.
If you don’t sew, find a by-the-hour seamstress (many bridal shops have them) and ask them to sew the ribbon on the underside of the lace straps on the dress. Chances are YOU can do this yourself but a pro will make it look even on both sides and you may not. This will provide the teal in a subtle way as it hides the bra straps. They will also be the best to tell you if Spanx are needed to flatter this dress and you once they see it on you.
Use the remaining ribbon on the corsages and boutonnieres and you’re guaranteed to match.
If you don’t want to break up the white of the dress at all, then a grosgrain in the same white will also hide the straps nicely.
I’m trying to avoid your buying a strapless bra for a couple of reasons; in your size it will be very expensive, especially to only be worn a few times; they’re not always flattering w/ every dress’ front and this dress has shirring that could be stretched flat by a strapless bra; lastly, I’m a 32B and strapless bras like to bisect my ribcage and it hurts after wearing them for less than three hours. I’d hate to for you to be in pain like that while you’re trying to enjoy the celebration w/ your family and fiancee.
I hope a guy comes in to answer the questions on your fella’s outfit; I think you’re right to avoid a vest or suspenders and on a hot day like this will likely be an open collar is expected.
Again, congrats! May you have many happy years.
Congratulations! I think Nawth Chucka’s idea is brilliant or you could get a convertible bra and buy some clear bra straps.
My idea for shoes is either a pair of ballet flats or a “fancy” pair of thongs / flip flops, either plain gold/bronze/silver or embellished ones.
If you are in a hot environment and going casual, why not let hubby have an untucked shirt, I think a white shirt and linen pants combo would look fitting.
An additional problem with a strapless bra is that many women are not confident that it will stay in place, and hunch over a bit rather than standing tall. Agree with the suggested strap remedies.
Also agree with the suggestion for flat shoes, but not thong sandals – like the spikes shown in your photos, they are a trip hazard, especially in a long dress. You need something that you can stand in for hours, and probably dance in, too.
The groom might want to look at the tropical ethnic shirt style, the “Guayabera”. From Wikipedia:
The guayabera … (described) … typically worn untucked … popular in the Caribbean region of Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Ecuador, Central America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and throughout Africa … also known as a “Wedding Shirt”.
A wrist corsage is not going to proclaim “bride”, and may take a little babying to protect. I’d go with a floral crown, especially if you are planning on wearing a veil.
Dos Carolinas custom-tailors *guayabaras *& seems to specialize in wedding parties. They have shops & San Antonio & Houston (River Oaks)–and are probably expensive.
Check out the site for clues on dressing gentlemen for hot-weather celebrations…
Have you decided on flowers yet? Coral colored flowers would look gorgeous with your white and teal colors. l love the idea of a floral crown or flowers in your hair somewhere. Turquoise and / or coral jewelry would be beautiful.
I had never heard of guayaberas. That’s a great look for a wedding and will go well with your dress. Your fiance could also look at Hawaiian shirts.
I like the idea above of covering the bra straps with ribbon. Although strapless would look the best with your dress, the problem is that if you’re even a bit busty the only ones that hold things together are also terribly padded making you look even more busty. I had a horrible time with my wedding dress and looked about 3 sizes larger because I didn’t have the patience to try on every bra in the universe to find the best fit. If the only way for you is strapless, try on everything until you find the right one.
Hubby also wore a white shirt (untucked) with linen trousers and sandals. The shirt was a tunic style and had some white embroidery to dress it up a little. He looked great.
You (as the bride) don’t have to wear the teal color. If you want the color somewhere on you, you could have some teal ribbon added to the flowers you carry/wear. Hubby can have it embroidered into his shirt if you go with the guayabera option.
You also don’t need Spanx unless you want to wear them. I’m a 1x myself, and find although they help to hold in the jiggly bits, if it’s hot/humid, forget it, I’m not wearing them. I’ll jiggle.
I’d actually suggest that you consider wearing a cotton slip under the dress, since you might sweat enough in July that the dress might get wet/see-thru. If you aren’t a sweater, no biggie. (I’m a sweater, so I think of these things.) The Vermont Country Store is my go-to for something like that and carries plus sizes.
For shoes, you could wear cute flat sandals in silver, antique gold/bronze, or nude (same color as your skin…which is hard to buy now if you tan in the summer!). Metallics are very much in style. If you’re inclined to wear sandals, you could get a pedicure that includes teal. (OPI makes a number of good teal colors.)
Finally, hair. I wouldn’t wear my hair down in July (in fact, I normally don’t, even day-to-day :D). Remember that you’ll be circulating around, it’ll probably be humid, and you’ll get warm. And then your hair will feel gross. I’d plan to wear it up and off my face.
Will the caterers be bringing large fans to help get the air moving? That can really help a lot with a non-air-conditioned venue. A friend had a gorgeous outdoor baby shower during one of the hottest days the area had for years (it was 103F, which is unusual). Her caterers had wonderful HUGE fans under the tent and in the back yard. They were a little noisy but really welcome.
Also, don’t stress too much. It’s your wedding, and if you want to both go barefoot, wear Klingon costumes, and eat cake with your feet, I say go ahead.
Wow, loving the guayabera idea. Thank you! It’ll probably be high 80s. We can bring our own fans, and will probably do so. The pavilion is quite small (along with our guest list: 35-40), so there’s not a lot of ground to cover.
Although I’m not doing a veil, I might actually go with a flower crown. My mom has offered to buy me one already, I just wasn’t sure if it would be too hippie/bohemian. But fuckit, they’re cute. And I wouldn’t have to worry about holding flowers all damn day. That’s a win-win.
Thanks for the suggestions about undergarments. I’m thinking clear bra straps would work best, since I have quite a bit to uh… holster. The colored strap idea is really cute, though! Maybe I’ll do both
We’re definitely not stressing it too much. It’s going to be the most casual wedding I’ve ever been to. I’m just a planner and this will be my only wedding (everyone says that before their first, don’t they, I just cursed us ogod!) and it’s fun to think about.
Love the suggestion to wear your hair up and with a flower crown. As a bonus, it will show off the pretty neckline of the dress.
If you do have a bouquet, just have a vase ready and you have an instant centerpiece! Also, you can order flowers from Sam’s Club. I did, and not only were they gorgeous, but they were much cheaper than a florist. Mismatched clear glass vases from Goodwill sound like your jam, and will be lovely.
Clear bra straps are a bad idea. They are very visible, even if you don’t think so when you fit them in your own mirror under one type of light. They look awkward in photos and look clumsy. The ribbon idea is a great solution, go with that.
I think the clear straps will be fine, since they’re still covered by lacy fabric. I also agree with the above mention that going strapless can be awkward feeling and it shows in your posture and behavior all day. Have you ever tried Cacique bras from Lane Bryant? That’s all I wear and they have a convertible that can either be strapless or with straps and comes with both clear and matching color. The back of your dress looks a little low, so that could be a factor in whether the back strap shows, right where it clasps. This bra sits a little lower and may work for that, too. Also, I’m going to get super basic here, but always wear nude colors under white - do NOT wear a white bra under your white dress, that makes it outline perfectly if the dress is at all thin. Do wear the colors Cacique calls Mocha or Chanterelle, or something similar. (Those Bridal White garments are meant to be under much thicker material that is completely opaque.)
Personally, I think a well fitting and comfortable foundation can be really important, in making you look great and then not having to think about it once it’s on. I would call your local Lane Bryant and see if they have that one in your size, and try it on with the dress to make sure it looks the way you want. If you have one delivered, you can send it to the store so you can return or exchange it right there with free shipping.
For hubby to be, I’m going to get super basic again (I hope you don’t mind if you already know these things, I’m just making sure to cover bases). Men’s shirts meant to be untucked are straight hemmed all around. If it’s a shirt that has “tails” it’s meant to be tucked and looks sloppy when it’s not. Khakis and a white shirt seems a bit Casual Friday - I agree with the linen ideas wholeheartedly, the tunic style shirt for him and linen pants will be comfortable, and something different from every day, which will feel more special for the day and be great with your dress in pictures!
We had a wedding in July and dang, it was HOT. Luckily the reception was in air conditioning.
Will there at least be shade? Fans?
No really heat can ruin such an event. Dont even try if temperatures are over 80. Not to mention it could be windy or even rain that day. Outdoor locations also make video and sound difficult.
My thoughts, think twice about an outdoor wedding. If you insist, have a backup in case of rain or excessive heat.
White’s easy for you, just dress as Power Girl. For him, I’m drawing a blank on teal superhero costumes. You might have to fudge things a bit… Aquaman? Tick? Batman? Superman? Captain America?
