Sleeves. Seems more appropriate, both for a wedding and for December. Very lovely. Savor the moments.

Can you try on each style to see which one works best for you? I like the one with sleeves for a winter wedding, but if it rides up when you lift your arms, it might not work for dancing.

Of the two, I prefer the one with sleeves for December, plus I wonder how 'exposed' you will feel when your arms are raised to put your hand on your DH's shoulder to dance.

On the other hand, the first could work well with a wrap of sorts, and there are many lovely ones out there now.

Navy is a great color choice. But even if someone thought you were wearing black, what is wrong with that - it is a classic color for dressy occasions.

The color for your clothing is not an issue, imo. As a bridal consultant for years, I tried to remind folks that the wedding party colors are for the wedding party - bride, groom and attendants. The parents really shouldn't be in the same colors of the party, as it looks like they are attendants gone astray. Also, except for perhaps one or two pix, you won't be in the same pix with the MOG, so your dresses don't need to compliment one another. It is fine if everyone chooses the same level of dressiness or length, but even that isn't necessary. If the bride is wearing a long dress and the men are in formalwear, you can wear a long dress.

Congrats to the couple and wishing all of you laughter and love on the upcoming big day!

I don't think it will look like you're wearing black. The blue color will be apparent especially next to black. Is your DH wearing a black suit? Beautiful dress, either sleeve style - pick what you feel most comfortable in. A lovey shawl over the sleeveless one for the ceremony would be elegant and allow you the freedom to dance without it.

If it were me I would choose the sleeveless, just because I do find that type of sleeve to be constricting. I think that both versions look very chic, though.

I love the sleeved one as it's not as common as your usual sleeveless dress. It has more style imo.

I like the sleeved one as well - it seems to have a more flattering neckline. You can't go wrong with either one - they're both lovely.

I prefer the 2nd dress. It's probably just me, but I don't think the MOG should wear a sleeveless dress.

I'm sure people will see that your dress isn't black, but if it does look black, don't worry about it because black is acceptable to wear at weddings!

The dress is so classy. You can wear it many times!

Yes, sleeves for winter and also if your arms are less than buff. I love that dress and I think the blue is fine. It doesn't appear to be a very dark navy.

Another vote for the sleeves. Both are beautiful, but the 2nd is more fitting for winter.

A funny MOB/MOG story. My sister's MIL lived in one state, and our mom in another. Mom found a GORGEOUS dress and it came in a print and a solid. The print was not in stock in mom's size, so she chose the solid. Fast forward to the day of the wedding...MOG had the EXACT SAME DRESS in the print. She'd wanted the solid, but it was not in stock in her size!

When my DD was married, I had a very glam evening gown, but MOG ended up wearing a kind of bland, knee length dress. Fit our personalities, if I do say so myself!

Thanks everyone for all the advice and the well wishes, too. I spoke with my future DIL last night about the color of the dress and she has no problem with it. Fortunately, she just wants everyone to be comfortable and feel good in what they are wearing. So, I'm sticking with the navy, but I'm still not sure which way to go with the sleeve issue. I agree that the sleeves make more sense for a winter wedding, but I think I'd get more use from the sleeveless dress. Luckily, I have time to try to get the 3/4 sleeve dress and see how comfortable it is for moving around. I guess that's what I'll do next, but I'm still open to any other thoughts anyone else still has on the 'great sleeves debate'!

A few comments on some of your thoughts -
~DH is wearing a black suit, so at least while we're standing next to each other, my dress will look navy!
~The two dresses are identical, except for the sleeves, so any difference in the neckline is probably just a matter of how the model is posed.

I personally like the sleeveless dress best - if you have the arms for it. For formal wear, sleeveless is perfectly acceptable, even in winter.

One of my best friends is going through this. Her son is getting married in June, 2012. We were talking last night (bride and groom included) about what she would wear, and also the grandmother.

I would be more comfortable with the sleeves; but the length of the sleeves would worry me. I'd order one of each to see how they felt.

The necklines do look a little different but I agree it looks more to do with how they are standing; the gal with the sleeves looks more relaxed.

What stores have you tried? When my daughter needed something to wear for her cousin's wedding we went to Macy's; they had a great selection of dresses. I also went to a local bridal shop to see what they had & was surprised at the nice selection that did not look like wedding party dresses. We had issues with dresses because my girl has weight & boobs unlike the clothing for people her age.

I believe I have the arms for a sleeveless dress, so that's not an issue. I have been looking at Lord & Taylor, Macy's and Nordstrom. The two dresses I posted are from Nordstrom. Both are Kay Unger, so they're essentially the same dress, one sleeveless and one with the 3/4 sleeve. I did go into one special occasion dress shop in the area, but their selection of knee length dresses was very limited and what they did have was a little dressier than what I want. If I'm going to spend a little more on a dress, I am looking for something I will wear again. I plan to dress up this navy blue by adding some sparkle with jewelry and shoes. The woman at Nordstrom who was helping me suggested shoes in a pewter color. I never thought I'd agonize this much over my dress selection. No one is even going to be looking at me that day! Ha!

I much prefer the sleeveless dress and would do that with a silvery wrap, perhaps? You could leave it at the table while dancing.

Well, I may not have a choice afterall. I contacted the person at the store I was working with last week and here's what she said in her email reply:
"I checked on the navy dress with sleeves in a size 6 and there are none available in the whole company. My honest opinion is that the sleeveless is better, not as matronly as the one with sleeves, and more elegant. I understand your concern with the weather but you won't be outside much at all and dancing tends to make anyone hot so sleeves would probably be a bother."

Perhaps this is a sign that I'm supposed to have the sleeveless dress.

i think i would choose the sleeveless dress also....so many cocktail dresses are sleeveless and places tend to heat accordingly i find- i would be much more comfortble dancing in a sleeveless dress. there are so many nice shoulder wraps/shrugs to wear at times (during ceremony, greeting guests, etc) when you might want something on your shoulders.

Sorry to be late to chime in here -- I do love the color and cut of the dresses -- and you will look wonderful in the photos with the wedding party's colors too!

The sleeveless dress is pretty -- and will work well with a pretty wrap or shrug in case of a cool breeze!

Sleeveless with a wrap or shrug or fancy cardigan or jacket of some nature. Those of us with sons of marrying age know that we take frequent,intense trips to the tropics...

Not to mention how warm a hall can get in the winter. Take a look at Talbots as well--their winter stuff is quite pretty this year!

(I always joke that, when my time comes, I'll just shut up and wear beige. Or whatever the bride deems appropriate...)

Size 6?? Go sleeveless! And skip the wrap or shawl or whatever!
You don't mention your coloring and what colors you wear well....but my concern would not that people would confuse navy with black, but that there would be a lot of black blue and now navy in the wedding party.
If you are a blue eyed blond, go for the navy...if you are a brown eyed brunette.....find a color that suits you more.
And remember....nude hose and nude shoes....for that long legged look.
Happy wedding!

Well I would want the shrug or wrap or cardigan or whatnot because when I'm NOT having a hot-flash I'm freezing...but that's just me!