Help, I Need Opinions on Outfts for Wedding & Cancun Trip!
I was just whining on another thread here about not having a dress for a wedding we're attending in Austin in a couple of weeks. And then I remembered another LBD of mine in the back of my closet and it's perfect. At least, I think it is. We New Mexicans don't dress up too all that often (LOL) and I forget what I have. The morning after the wedding, though, we fly down to a resort in Cancun. I don't think the dress will work down there, and both sets of jewelry (below) are very expensive and I'm worried about the chance of theft there, as well. I could perhaps bribe DD into taking my dress and jewelry home with her to our house on her way back to grad school (she's a bridesmaid in the wedding). Anyhoo, do you think the green turquoise is too casual? Although, most people these days wear a lot of very bold costume jewelry. This is bold, but definitely the real stuff.
OK, here I am in my dress, with messy, uncombed hair and minimal makeup, but you can see the jewelry. And, yes, my hair is brown, although DD tells me it's considered light brown here in NM. Oh, and the dress fits smoothly across the top, not gathered as it seems to be in this pic:
Here's the dress on a hanger in my bathroom (sorry, this was done in a hurry!)
And here are my boldest pearls that I could wear, along with my diamond watch to help me look a little more dressy. I have 3 sets of pear earrings I can wear. This is just one of them:
Comments (34)
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Comments (30)Well...is this about the GIVER or is it about the couple getting married? I don't know all that many young people well enough to give them a truly memorable item that I *know* they would enjoy. To be honest, I think it's about both. The woman who gave me the knife didn't know me at all. She picked out something she loved and hoped that I'd love it too. Could've just as easily worked out that I threw the knife in the trash of course, but the gift meant something to me specifically because of the thought behind it. She took some time to think, what do I love that a new bride might also appreciate? And then she made a point to tell me the thought behind the gift. That's not to say that every gift needs to be that special. I'm just saying how nice it is when it can be that special and that it's up to the giver to make it that special if they want to. But if you don't feel the need to, that's ok too. As far as the use of the word "greedy", I think it's all about perception. We preceive that a newlywed couple NEEDS dishes and towels and blenders, etc. But they don't NEED a honeymoon in an exotic spot. In reality, of course, even the dishes, towels and blenders are "wants" more than "needs". So maybe if they have those things already, or for whatever reason, don't want them, they are asking for their real "want", the honeymoon. But ultimately, the giver must decide what s/he is comfortable giving. As an example, a few years back, the son of a good friend was getting married. On their registry were a lot of (what I perceived to be) useless items. Warming socks and mood music cds and very expensive decorative items. Now, normally, who cares! If that's what they want, fine. But this couple was low on funds. Neither had great jobs, and they were still sort of struggling. I just could not bring myself to buy them something that would not help them establish a home. That was totally my opinion of course, but I'm plopping down my dollars and I want them well spent. I ended up giving them cash because, in my perception, that's what that couple needed more than anything else. I don't know how they spent it, so it could have been on totally silly stuff. But at least the gift was something *I* was comfortable giving....See MoreFrugal Wedding Advice Needed!
Comments (33)So in a nutshell, a frugal wedding can be done if you have the cooperation of family and friends and organization on your part. A trick I learned from an event planner--Visualize exactly what you want it to look like and then work backwards to make it happen. borrow as much as you can. Need a fridge in the barn? borrow one. Some people have extras in their garages and don't know what to do with them. A stove to warm things up? borrow. People love to help. Remember to show your appreciation. A mention at the reception or a written thank you. Put the whole thing on paper, from when you arrive at the farm to the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception. all the activities, all the cooking times, when this happens, when that happens. It will give you an idea of what you need, when and where. Invitations--colored paper and envelopes, save the date postcards, card stock, get four out of each piece, thank you's from walmart--or make them yourself, more heartfelt. Clothing--clearance racks, used or borrowed. For the guys, kahki pants and nice shirts and ties that match. (JC Penney) Forget the Tux or suit. Decor--flowers from fields in your area, twigs, grasses and grocery store florists. Make it yourself, many books out there on how to do it. This might even be an idea for your boquets and boutteniers...forget the tulle or use very little. Ribbon is big now. Twinkle lights, fairy lights--I just bought 20 boxes of white Christmas lights for .60$ each after the holidays. Reception--biggest expense. Everything make ahead. Pork loin, Chicken Breasts, a Turkey. Everything paper or plastic, good quality. Make your cake or grocery bakery. rent tables, chairs and tablecloths, you can use the chairs for the ceremony too. Boxed White Zin wine (it's what restaurants use?!, you can cover the boxes with pretty paper), beer kegs, appetizers, chips and dip from Sams or Costco. bottled water and pop. Don't forget cleanup. Maybe the Dad's can bartend? I'd find a couple to "host" the cocktail hour just to make sure things get done (music, food, make sure people are taken care of) and go like you want them to go. Remember, you will be taking pictures and the Mom's will be getting dinner out and the Dad's will be bartending, maybe....get everybody in place before the event, don't wait till the last minute. Always have a plan B for most everything. Have a little money to spend? have a square dance caller and the square dance club out to your place for entertainment and for fun. What would be more appropriate for a farm wedding? OK, these are just ideas, they can't all be solid gold. Make sure you have enough lighting in the barn and around the yard. Can you use square haybales for seating somehow outside the barn? or even inside. Not everyone is going to want to stay indoors if it's nice outside. Music--recorded ahead of time in the order you want it played. Your fiance may like to do this but find someone who can press play and pause for you and doesn't mind doing it all night long, make sure he or she gets a break once in a while during the evening. If you can't afford an MC, maybe you have an outgoing friend who wouldn't mind getting up and announcing activities for you. Don't depend on things flowing smoothly by themselves, have someone in place to help it along. And just a side note--I gradated from college three yrs ago and have yet to pay on my loans due to deferments. They will work with you for a long time....See MoreWedding guest outfits rant and plea for help
Comments (56)More random ranting: LOL Robo about the WASP weddings. There's a bit of WASP vs ethnic and also introvert vs extrovert going in my relationship with SO. I am however, half WASP, really waspy WASP, (as in Anglo Saxon protestant, not Teutonic protestant) so I am used to some of the restraint, to say the least . . . :) I also found out that the color for the wedding is not "red" per se, rather it is crimson, so the shirt/tie combo I liked will have to go back regardless. On the plus side, with a light grey shirt, the suit and shirt will also pass for our wedding, so that will save us some money from having to buy two shirts. I only suggested the red shirt combo because it was on super sale. Here's a photo so you can see what I was envisioning with SO's dark coloring. Surprisingly, SO liked the flouncy floral dresses, particularly the one with the grey background. He thought they would be flattering for my figure. He opined, not without merit, that an a-line dress might be too form-fitting and emphasize my less-than-perfectly-proportional hips. Possibly not, but only trying on will tell. I think I will order all three dresses....See MoreWedding Attire Follow Up: Help w Shoes
Comments (90)Annie, you are right... and that was my thinking in ordering it even after I discovered that the daisy dress now fits. However, where it is a little too big now is in the bodice.. for a surplice dress that means some gaping. At my current weight, i can tack it or pin it... but as I lose more weight (knock on wood), i imagine I will lose more through the bust and back which could make the gapping more than a pin can manage. IDK. I do have wide shoulders and a large rib cage -- meaning the bones, not the fat on top lol.. so it may not be too bad. I think the waist/hips etc will be fine and very adaptable-- though the waist and tie are sewn in vs an elastic band. This is part of what makes it attractive IMO.. it looks more presentable AND it cinches in more than an expandable elastic band. I tried it on yesterday "as I was".. hair in a ponytail, slippers and (ahem) no bra. I thought it looked flattering and nice even then. I will try it on this weekend with proper undergarments and shoes and see what I think. It isn't terribly expensive so if it looks great when done up, I will likely keep it. I think it could work for a lot of occasions ... and since my weight loss is slow/steady, I would imagine it would work for awhile without alterations-- but weight loss is a funny thing. You can't always predict what will change. (Also, I will continue to watch to see if the smaller size comes back in stock) Thanks all for your thoughts, encouragement and recommendations!...See MoreLynnNM
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
Oh gosh, thank you! I wasn't sure the dress would work for Cancun. Although we've lived here in New Mexico for years, this will be my first time to Mexico. I've been very paranoid up until now, because good friends of ours were accosted by bandits down there and almost killed some years ago.
Ok, the dress is a go! I, sadly, have a MAJOR problem with shoes, though. I have short, wide feet (6.5 w) with very high arches, and no longer am able to wear any heels more than 1" high. They also can't be narrow, thin heels. These are my dressier pair of shoes that would work. My alternative is to go out and try to buy a pair of black ballerina flats . . . IF I can find a pair with good support. My feet are a major problem when dressing up!
just_terrilynn
6 years agoLynn have you tried ordering from Zappos? They even have www wide. The reviews can be helpful in what might work. I have no idea of what you like but there are some cute ones in your size...6.5 W
LynnNM thanked just_terrilynnLynnNM
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoThanks for all your ideas and input! Justerrilynn: thanks for the Zappos link and shoe ideas. I'm heading over to look there in a minute.
As for the wedding, it's formal, but not black tie (or long gowns necessarily). It's actually at a place right outside Austin in Driftwood, called Pecan Grove.
Lots of pics now:
These are the other shoe possibilities that I have to wear to the wedding . . . or the sandals in Cancun. Like I said, my feet make dressing up a real problem! On top of having very high arches and wide feet through the toe area, they're boney, so comfort is a huge thing for me when it comes to shoes. They have to have good support and padding. These, or I can order something from Zappos? The sandals I bought last month in Tucson won't work, as two are navy and the white pair will only work for my capris and shorts.
And here are a couple other costume jewelry options:
LynnNM
6 years agoAs far as resort clothes go, I just had to cancel my bathing suit cover-up order, as the delivery time went from one week to anytime from 7-30 days. Grrr!
I have two new camisoles that just arrived a minute ago. One black and one white, spaghetti straps with a light built-in bra. I plan on wearing those under some of these tops below. I can bring along nice white shorts, capris, dress slacks and/or leggings. I have the same in black, as well. And, because I have long, slender legs, and small hips and bottom, I can wear leggings well . . . although always with a top that covers my bottom, just because.
This top came from Stella Rae's last year: It has kind of a bat wing arm design, although Stella Rae's calls it a kimono. It's very pretty on and works well with a black cami and my black leggings, or black capris. It might even work with my LBD inside the church if I wear my pearls.
This one, also called a kimono, is from Stella Rae's this season. I'd wear it with a white cami and either white leggings or capris.
Here's 3 other tops. This black & white print looks great with black or white shorts, capris or leggings. I wear a black cami under it, as the white cami looks like I'm wearing an undershirt (LOL)!
This turquoise top comes with it's own separate matching cami:
I don't have many costume jewelry necklaces but this one might do :
The photo does not do it justice, but this top (above) is so pretty on (especially when it's ironed-LOL!). I wear it with my white capris , slacks or shorts and my white drop earrings.So, what do you think? Will they do for Cancun? I would be wearing white or black sandals with them all.
LynnNM
6 years ago
amykath
6 years ago
cawaps