Recently in Weddings Category

Q. Love the site and the emails!  I am attending an evening wedding in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico this Labor Day weekend.  Can you suggest some stylish options for the ceremony?  It will be a formal ceremony, but on the beach…don’t want to be overdressed, but appropriate for the occasion! Thanks so much…you ROCK!
-Formal and Beachy 

A. Mariachi music!  Yeah!  Get ready to dance, dance, dance. You need a dress that is festive, colorful, and easy breezy.  Avoid black.  Go for color and even better, choose a patterned dress - it will express more personality.   It’s going to be hot, hot, hot, so choose a dress that moves easily and be prepared to go barefoot on the beach and carry your sandals.  Kick up some sand and be sure to dip your toes in the clear blue water.

Nicole Miller
Tiki Print Resort Dress
$300 at edressme.com

Nicole Miller Border Print Tie Front Gown
$355 at nordstrom.com

Charmeuse Smocked Scarf Print Dress
$56.10 at rampage.com

Q. My mother is searching for a dress to wear to my brother’s August 5 outdoor wedding, taking place at 4 PM, at a B&B-type locale outside of Boston.  As I can’t shop with her, I was hoping for some style suggestions that I could share with her.  I’m assuming that it will be hot, but she told me that she does not like sleeveless dresses – I believe she is a little self-conscious, being a size 14-16, so am hoping to find something elegant yet flattering for this special occasion. (Also, she probably will not want to spend over $200, knowing her!). It’s a tall order, but I would appreciate any help you could provide!
-Dress Frustration

A. It’s her son’s wedding and surely your mom is fretting over what to wear that fits her body and looks great since plenty of attention will be given to her.  I’ve found options that all give arm coverage, range from long to knee length and formal to semi-formal with a few color choices as well. They range in price from around $150 to $300.  It’s an important day, so find the dress that looks and fits best, a few extra bucks will be worth it when you see the photos.

Sean Collection Beaded Dress with Jacket
$278 at nordstrom.com

Sean Collection Three Piece Ensemble
$318 at nordstrom.com

Plus Size Gold Lace Cocktail Dress
from Kiyonna
$178 at edressme.com

JS Boutique Beaded Mesh Dress
$158 at nordstrom.com

Q. I’m 15 years younger than my husband.  We both work out and are fit.  His son is getting married - afternoon wedding.  The bride and I are very close.  She said she doesn’t care what I wear to the wedding.  My concern is that I want to look elegant but not draw too much attention to myself from my attire.  The ex-wife is much heavier than I am, and also 20 years older.  I’m struggling finding the appropriate attire.  A beaded suit is not me at all, yet I don’t feel a black little dress is appropriate.  I’m a very outgoing upbeat person — any advice on what I should wear?
-Formal and Fretting 

A. You’re fit and fabulous and there’s no reason to look dowdy or play it safe and be a wallflower.  Weddings are a girl’s chance to dress up, heck, we just don’t get enough opportunities during the week to pull on a gorgeous dress. And don’t worry about drawing attention—all eyes will be on the bride, everyone else is just an afterthought when we all compare what we’re wearing. So look good in a dress and heels.   I scoured the stores and came up with options that are elegant and sophisticated without being daring.  You can stand proud and know that you look good, but are not making a statement.

J Crew Avery silk short cross-back dress
(available in many colors)
$195 at jcrew.com

Maggy London Halter Dress with Charmeuse Waist
$160 at macys.com

Anne Klein Dress Silk Georgette Dress
$220 at nordstrom.com

Anne Klein Dress Charmeuse Waist Dress
$210 at nordstrom.com

Q.  I’m getting married in September and I’m a little stuck on my bridesmaid’s colors. We ordered their dresses because we thought the dresses were hot pink, however they are more of a fuchsia. My colors are hot pink, light pink and a summer green. What do I do about the dresses being fuchsia? I soooo don’t know what to do and I’m freaking out.  I already bought some hot pink stuff and the flower girl…..her skirt is hot pink.
-Pretty in Pink, Pink and More Pink 

A. Wow, you really love pink. If you can’t exchange the dresses, stop fretting.  The freaking out will only consume you, bug your fiancé and upset your bridesmaids.  I understand and empathize with your problem - biggest day of your life and all - but remember it’s about you and your fiancé getting married and spending your lives together, not the colors matching.  You can’t make your bridesmaids buy new dresses. If all the bridesmaids have the same color on, it will look like you intended to have them wear fushchia-one more shade of pink. Say you just couldn’t get enough of all shades of pink. If guest or family member makes a comment, say there was a little snafu, but you just let it roll off your shoulders to enjoy the important experience.  And if you want to change something, then get a different skirt for the flower girl.

Q. I have a semi-formal evening wedding to which I am wearing a knee length black and white skirt and black formal halter top.  It’s in the South at a country club. Do I have to wear hose with my sandal? What kind of sandals would you suggest?
-Clueless Dresser 

A. Skip the hose. Stylish southerners know that when the heat is on, hose just makes y’all sticky and constricted.  Choose a mid to high heel to give the appearance of having longer legs.  And certainly with hotter temperatures and it being a festive occasion, go for a strappy black or silver sandal with perhaps extra details like satin fabric, a small bow or even a few small rhinestones.  And get yourself a pretty pedicure in a soft nail color—no blaring reds.