"Cocktail" attire at a wedding (NBR)

jcsumm0 · March 2012

We are going to my cousin's wedding in a few weeks. The wedding is at 5:30 outside in a garden and then the reception is indoors in a historic mansion. Invite stated cocktail attire.

Is is okay to wear something pretty and springy, like this:

or this

or does it need to be more evening-y and involve satin or sparkle or something--like this:

bt3701 · March 2012

I don't think it needs to be satiny or sparkly, necessarily. I really like the first 2 dresses, but the green one definitely looks more casual to me. I think it depends on how you style them--with dressier heels/jewelry etc. I'd totally wear a more spring-y dress

nic5606 · March 2012

They are all nice, but when I hear cocktail attire, I think of the 3rd dress.

kimbo1216 · March 2012

I think the second one could be dressed up enough to meet cocktail. However, the third is more what I would think of also.

kas80 · March 2012

I think the first two are way too casual even if dressed up. Cocktail attire is more towards the third dress. Do you have an account to rent the runway? They have a section with suggestions for a cocktail wedding. You rent dresses from them instead of having to buy them.

maddiemoon43 · March 2012

kas80:

I think the first two are way too casual even if dressed up. Cocktail attire is more towards the third dress. Do you have an account to rent the runway? They have a section with suggestions for a cocktail wedding. You rent dresses from them instead of having to buy them.

YOU are a terrible influence! I am supposed to be productive while DS naps, but now I am wasting time looking for pretty dresses for tomorrow's wedding (even though I have a new one, it is for tomorrow, and RTR doesn't ship to Canada!) Stick out tongue

mesr · March 2012

i really like the first dress! that is what i'd choose. the second one feels too casual to me, probably because of the spaghetti straps. the third one is fine, but it just doesn't seem like the right fit for a garden party.