Would you mind shopping? I think that although it is lovely, it doesn't read formal to me either. I would do more of a cocktail dress, probably in a solid color.

Yes, I'm willing to go shopping for a different dress. I live on the East Coast. So I'm not familiar with the West Coast idea of formal dress.

I'm not an expert (or a female) but to me that's a nice party dress but not formal. If the invitation says formal, then using your East Coast sense of formal would be fine for an event in SF. You would expect to see men in mostly tuxedos and/or very dark/black suits with a dressier tie.

Agreeing with the others. Although it is a pretty dress, I would not consider it to be formal.

That dress is lovely and is totally okay for a formal wedding. Certainly in SF in August. Jazz it up with some lovely ear, wrist, and neck sparkle and go! Look what Nordies (we cali gals love to shop at Nordstrom) recommends for formal wedding guest dress: http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/wedding-guest-dresses?cm_sp=merch--wap0227dresses_4152-_-catheader1uplgwmndresses_shop5&campaign=0227dresses1&mcamp=4152&top=72&flexi=60197317_60197322&flexi=8000598_8000707

I agree that it's not formal. Also, it doesn't look to be long either, if the jacket hits at about the hips. It looks to be below the knee, but not full length. What time is the wedding and reception? Day or evening? Evening formal would be even more so than day.

The wedding starts at 4 p.m. Reception is right after the wedding. It is a full length dress.

Well, I would wear the pretty dress you already have. But nothing wrong with shopping for a new one if you want. Does the invite say White Tie? If so then you for sure need a new dress. Otherwise, save the money and enjoy your invitation :)

Black is acceptable to wear to weddings these days. For most levels of California society, that dress would qualify as formal wear.

And West Coast "formal" is not as formal as East Coast. Unless the men are all in tuxes, your dress is fine. But August in the City, bring a real sweater or jacket, the jacket on that dress is not adequate for a cool foggy evening. But if you are outside the City, it'll be a lot warmer.

How does that dress look without that jacket? I think the jacket is what makes the dress look more casual. What if you ditched the jacket and wore some other accessories like a loosely flowing wrap or scarf or something over your shoulders?

I can't really say if it's formal enough or not for the wedding but if you feel uncomfortable with the amount of black it has, maybe you could swap the jacket out with one that matches another color in the print and maybe use a bag and shoes in that same color as well.

I like it and think it would be just fine.

Great ideas you're giving me to drop the jacket and put something else with it

I was going to say the same thing about the jacket (I think it detracts from the dress). I think a really nice shawl could be perfect with it and dress it up(and still be practical if chilly out).

What's the invite say for men..tux or suit? Your dress although pretty would not suit if the men are in a tux.

Formal for weddings usually late day ones mean anything from floor length very dressy (not floor length casual dressy) or cocktail style. I'd go shopping based on the invitation stating formal. You deserve it anyway. Lol

Evening would be even more formal, so I would probably look for something else. To me, the print says garden party, not formal wedding.

I agree.....too casual.

i agree, too casual

Yes - definitely not formal enough for a wedding that has been stated as "formal". I agree with others. Even if you change the jacket I believe that you'll be among the "less dressed". That may be Ok with you and that's fine.

Stolenidentity, don't you mean "Black Tie"?

I live south of San Francisco and have gone to formal events in the city in the past. I was surprised how really formal the events are in SF. It can rival East Coast formal. Men in tuxes and women in fancy floor length gowns. If the invitation said formal then my opinion is that dress, though pretty, is not formal enough. Is there someone you can ask regarding how formal and float some ideas by?

Also with the fog it can be in the 50's during the day and low 40's at night. Forty years ago women still wore fur in summer in the evening, now it is faux fur.

I found a San Francisco dress website that might give you some ideas.

SF Formal dresses

Those SF formal dresses are very formal. I see where this dress is not that formal. Sounds like it is time to go shopping again. Thanks for the help! I have never been to a formal wedding even though I am retired.

As I remember it, according to the old rules, White Tie is more formal than Black Tie - it involves white bow tie, tailcoat and top hat - or at least it used to.. and full length gowns with hair up, jewellery and long gloves for the ladies. Black Tie for men just requires a dinner suit (tuxedo in the US) and black/dark bow tie, with cocktail length dresses for women. Whether any of this is known of or observed in 21st century California, I couldn't say!

Here's a quick primer on the White Tie thing...

I'm sure you will have a great time shopping. Why not ask a friend to join you for the day and grab lunch while your out.

Thank you, comtesse. I've been educated now!

It is beautiful, wear it with pride.

It will work fine here on the Left Coast.

I hope the reception is indoors, as it will most likely be very chilly at that time of the year. How well do you know the couple? Are they formal people? For most weddings that are not super-ritzy, that lovely dress and jacket would certainly be acceptable.

Reception is indoors. My nephew is the one who is getting married.

Then definitely a new dress is in order!

I think I'd shop for a solid color dress for a late afternoon-early evening formal wedding and reception. Your dress would be fine for an early afternoon garden wedding, especially with a pretty shawl instead of the jacket. I'm mostly talking about the South, where we do tend to dress up a bit more for weddings as a rule. Maybe the west coast is a bit more casual as some have indicated.