Recently in Weddings Category

Q. I've attached a photo of my wedding dress by Maggie Sottero (color shown in Pearl Rose) and unsure of what color veil I should wear. In fact, I'm even questioning if a veil would be appropriate for this dress, as I'd be afraid it's too overpowering. I have received so many opinions and I am completely lost! I'd appreciate your input.
- Overwhelm or Appeal

A. My input is this: skip the veil. I agree with those friends who said it could be overpowering. I like the look of a flower, real or faux, or a jeweled or decorative hair comb. I had a milliner make a large, off-white fake flower with beautiful beading and attach it to a comb that could be hidden within my hair. I received many compliments and I was glad to have chosen something original.

Q. I bought this dress to wear to my bridal shower being held this summer. The dress comes to just above my knee (in the picture it is shorter). What shoes can I wear with this dress?
- Shoe Need

A. Since it's your bridal shower, it's not necessarily an event to sport stilettos. Your dress is sweet, but not overly dressy. I'd suggest a mid height metallic heel or wear a bright spring color like a yellow sandal.

The Dress: Evan Picone Pleated Dot-Print Dress, $99 at amazon.com

1. Lumiani Fawn, $170 at zappos.com
2. Twyla midheels, $175 at jcrew.com
3. BCBGirls Albania, $89 at piperlime.com

Q. I have a Saturday night, black-tie wedding coming up and I have no idea what to wear. I know people traditionally wear long, black dresses, but since I'm kind of small (5'2", size 0), I'm afraid I would get lost in a dress like that. Also, since I'm 24 and it's summer, I wouldn't mind straying from black and wearing something fun. Keeping this in mind, what would be appropriate? Would a cocktail dress be ok? Or are there any particular styles of long dresses that flatter shorter people? Do you have any suggestions?
- Distressed Over Dress

A. A long gown on a petite woman can look like an overwhelming amount of fabric or look like you're playing dress up in your mom's closet. Black tie affairs no longer require a long gown - just an appropriate dress that is fiercely festive, sophisticated and elegant. I shopped for several options and it's purely coincidental that they all are strapless.

1. Strapless Florence dress, $250 at jcrew.com
2. Jillian strapless dress, $295 at jcrew.com
3. Kay Unger Strapless Bubble Dress, $330 at saks.com
4. BCBGMAXAZRIA Silk Strapless Dress, $360 at saks.com
5. BCBGMAXAZRIA Silk Empire Dress, $156 (sale) at saks.com
6. BCBGMAXAZRIA Satin Cocktail Dress, $288 at saks.com

Q. Can you make some suggestions on what to wear to a wedding in late May in Florida? The ceremony will be on the beach and the reception is going to take place on a boat and it is bound to be HOT & HUMID in Florida that time of year. I have several black dresses that I could wear but I am concerned that will look to formal and "dark" for this event. - Cool in Heat

A. The weather will most likely be hot, so to help avoid a sweaty brow and underarms, skip the black dress which will soak up the sun's heat and look for a dress in a fun, bright color and preferably sleeveless or strapless. Since the ceremony and reception are more casual and are water related, keep the length of the dress to somewhere between mini and cocktail just in case you get a chance to cool your toes in the water.

1. Cotton cady strapless Claudine dress (available in 10 colors), $260 at jcrew.com
2. Milly Nautical Print Rope Halter Dress, $412 at bloomingdales.com

Q. I have been so inspired by all of your bridesmaid tips. I am narrowing down bridesmaid dress choices for my wedding next April. I think the silk chiffon Sophia dress by J Crew in bright aquamarine or maybe tulip - (haven't decided) is most likely the dress I'll go with, since it seems to be pretty flattering for the body types of all my bridesmaids and it's a good price, to boot. The question that remains is shoes! I am considering letting the girls choose their own, but I'd like to give them a color to make them look somewhat uniform. Bad idea? I'm thinking gold or silver... any suggestions? I love the look of a d'orsay heel, but I'm not sure if that will be appropriate for a springtime, late-afternoon wedding (indoors). Please advise! Thank you!
- Shoe Clueless

A. For either dress, gold or silver will work and as I've said in the past, it's a help to your bridesmaids cash flow to offer them the opportunity to buy their own shoes in your color of choice. They may already own one of these metallic colors and if not, a metallic heel is certainly a must-have in a girl's shoe closet. I've found a few options that will work with the dresses once you make your color choice. While d'orsay heels are stylish enough for indoors or outdoors, they are not so readily available in multiple choices of metallic as sandals are each season. So perhaps keep the options open.

1. Matisse 'Elvey' Pump, $114.95 at nordstrom.com
2. Liza patterned d'Orsays, $195 at jcrew.com

3. Charles by Charles David 'Pandora' Metallic Sandal, $66.90 (sale) at nordstrom.com
4. Lucie high heels, $168 at jcrew.com
5. Caparros Jalena, $65 at piperlime.com

Q. I recently got engaged and will be planning a wedding on the beach. Do you think black is an appropriate color for a bridesmaid's dress for a beach wedding?
-Hot Color  

A. I would probably choose a color to keep the look cheerful since black can make you feel even hotter in the sun. It seems to attract and "suck" up the heat. If you choose black, then opt for a dress that looks more like a sundress or choose cotton and brighten the arrangement of flowers or keep it very simple and contemporary with a white floral bouquet.

Q. I have been asked to be a bridesmaid in my brother's wedding this coming August. Instead of selecting a specific bridesmaid's dress, the bride said that we can wear any dress, as long as it's navy. I am having a terrible time deciding on a style and finding the perfect dress. The bride's dress is quite fancy, but the guys are just wearing khakis and blue blazers. And it's an August outdoor wedding, so it will most likely be HOT.
-Navy Ne'er Do Well  

A. Hey, high five to you. Three cheers, make that an ovation to the bride to be. I wish you could see my jubilant face right now and you'd probably feel a little more confident. You have been given the great "gift" of not having to conform to a long list of bride's wishes and demands and you'll save yourself some money or at least the anguish of stashing the dress in the back of your closet after the wedding is over. Navy is super chic and I've fallen in love with it lately as a substitute to black. The dress doesn't have to be long-YEAH! Since the guys are wearing the classic prep look of blue blazers and khakis you just need to find a cocktail length dress that can possibly take you from the wedding to a Saturday night dinner party some other time. These fabulous dresses should keep you looking cool.

1. Donna Ricco Stretch Satin Halter Dress, $158 at nordstrom.com
2. Jones New York Dress Bateau Neck Silk Dress, $180 at nordstrom.com
3. MARC BY MARC JACOBS 'Kitty' Strapless Dress, $448 at nordstrom.com
4. David Meister One Shoulder Sheath Dress, $306 at nordstrom.com 

5. JS Boutique Embellished Matte Jersey Halter Dress, $158 at nordstrom.com
6. Tiered Layered Strapless Cocktail Dresses by BCBG MAXAZRIA, $320 at edressme.com
7. Sophia short silk dress, $195 at jcrew.com
8. Silk tricotine Jenelle short dress, $195 at jcrew.com 

Q. I just picked out the most beautiful Lazaro bridesmaid dress in champagne. The only problem is: I have no idea how to accessorize them. Just earrings or a necklace as well? What color shoes? Any suggestions? -Accessory Challenged  

A. Feel free to choose between earrings and a necklace or choose both, but please don't buy one of those matching sets of earrings and necklace. Do you really need the bridesmaids to wear exactly the same jewelry? If you're concerned about their taste level, then suggest they wear earrings of their own choice, but nothing too big or over the top and skip a necklace, which may distract from the dress. Unless you intend to buy your bridesmaids the jewelry to go with the dress, remember it can become a big expense to buy the dress, jewelry and shoes that you expect them to wear. As for shoes, something strappy or a high-heeled sling back. I like a champagne, pale gold or sophisticated cream heel.

Q. I have been searching for answers all over the internet, and I came across your page. I am attending my fiance's sister's wedding in a month and we are part of the wedding party. We will be attending the rehearsal dinner, and I am not sure what to wear. In order to complement what my fiance is wearing, I came across an ivory colored dress. Is that inappropriate to wear to the rehearsal dinner? The day of the wedding I am wearing blue, and I don't want to wear blue again the night before. Help! What are the dress rules for the rehearsal dinner and also for the brunch the morning after the wedding?
-Ivory Intimidation

A. As long as you're not wearing a competing white or ivory the day of the wedding, then feel free to wear the ivory dress to the rehearsal dinner. There should be no expectation to wear blue the night before to match the day of the wedding as well.

Q. I'm getting married in June. My fiance is Indian and my family is of Scandinavian descent. To capture both of our cultures and personalities we are having a wedding focusing around pinks, greens, metallics, and adding paisley and embroidered elements which are very prominent in both themes. We are having a garden style wedding with our siblings as our honored attendants. We are keeping it really simple yet elegant (and inexpensive). I'm wearing a traditional white dress, my fiance is wearing a black traditional Indian outfit and our sisters are wearing black dresses and pink Pashminas. Our question: What should we have our brothers wear that would be very informal but classy? I was thinking of either a white shirt with a black tie or an Indian-style white shirt with light embroidery and a Nehru collar (which we cannot find anywhere!). Do you have ideas or suggestions?
-Culture Combination

A. A white button down shirt and tie is just fine, but have the men wear a tie in a color from the wedding to keep the colors bright and fun. I like the idea of extending the cultural expression at your wedding. Check out sites like monarch-garments.com and kaneesha.com where you'll find traditional Sherwani garments, Nehru shirts and colorful embroidered shirts. Here are a few additional sites and looks to help you shop and make your shirt choice.

1. Pink Half Silk Shirt, kaneesha.com
2. Magenta Half Silk Mens Shirt, kaneesha.com
3. Nehru shirt, proidee.co.uk
4. White Nehru Collar Shirt, fantasywaistcoats.co.uk