What do I wear to a black-tie optional wedding?

This isnt really wedding related, well, not my wedding. Im invited to a saturday night black tie optional wedding. Does this mean I wear a black dress? What are the etiquette rules?

Re: What do I wear to a black-tie optional wedding?

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Posted by kbeana24

This isnt really wedding related, well, not my wedding. Im invited to a saturday night black tie optional wedding. Does this mean I wear a black dress? What are the etiquette rules?

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i am invited to one too in july and my fh said 'oh now i have to buy a black tie'


men

but for you i think a black gown is acceptiable. i am going to wear a tea lenght black dress. i mean it is the summer and i dont want to wear a long gown. it is too hot. but in general i just think it means formal wear i dont think you need to wear 'black'

Re: What do I wear to a black-tie optional wedding?

Ugh! I have a friday night black-tie at Oheka in July and nothing to wear (unless I miraculously go back to being a size 4 in a month )

And PS: freakin' DH has LOST enough weight to fit into the tux he bought for the same wedding as my size 4 dress )

Re: What do I wear to a black-tie optional wedding?

I would think that a tea length gown is OK, especially if it is outdoors at any point. I would definately accessorize well though. Sometimes the accessories are what makes the look formal or elegant.

Re: What do I wear to a black-tie optional wedding?

well, for Black Tie, it should be a long gown. Since black tie is 'optional' a coctail dress is probably ok, unless DH wears a tux. Your level of formality should match.

You dont'have to wear black, but it should be evening colrs. For example, not pastel flowers or something like that.

Re: What do I wear to a black-tie optional wedding?

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Posted by tourist

well, for Black Tie, it should be a long gown. Since black tie is 'optional' a coctail dress is probably ok, unless DH wears a tux. Your level of formality should match.

You dont'have to wear black, but it should be evening colrs. For example, not pastel flowers or something like that.

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The only long gown I have is my wedding dress (again, other than the size 4 and a winter dress that may be a 2 ), so I guess you are saying that would be inappropriate?

Re: What do I wear to a black-tie optional wedding?

For your DH it means he has the option of either wearing a dark suit or a tuxedo. For you it means you can pretty much wear anything you would nromally wear to a formal affair- that can be either a cocktail length or gown.
I'm going to a black tie wedding this Saturday and I'm not wearing a black gown. I am wearing a formal lavendar gown, though a friend of mine is wearing a very nice cocktail length dress.

Re: What do I wear to a black-tie optional wedding?

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Posted by wc0143

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Posted by tourist

well, for Black Tie, it should be a long gown. Since black tie is 'optional' a coctail dress is probably ok, unless DH wears a tux. Your level of formality should match.

You dont'have to wear black, but it should be evening colrs. For example, not pastel flowers or something like that.

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The only long gown I have is my wedding dress (again, other than the size 4 and a winter dress that may be a 2 ), so I guess you are saying that would be inappropriate?

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you could dye your wedding dress!

I have never been to a black tie wedding
Those are just the rules as I have been told, but in general no one every really knows & wears whatever.

I never know what to wear b/c my family over dresses & my friends underdress. I had a semi formal Saturday night wedding & a few friends wore skirts & tops- some were dressy tops, some were sweaters

But then you have my aunts who wore long gowns.

Re: What do I wear to a black-tie optional wedding?

These people are my new relatives, so I dont want to embarass myself. I have a black halter dress, but I dont know if that will be appropriate (its the dress Im wearing in my chat pic)
I guess Im going shopping. oh darn!