The Big Fat Fancy Southern Wedding

[oceanchild]

Look, it's another "what should I wear?" thread!

My BIL is getting married in Nashville over Labor Day weekend. DH is the best man, and it feels like I've been invited to EVERYTHING. I have a dress for the wedding, but I also have to go to:
-bridal shower
-bachelorette party
-bridesmaids' luncheon (even though I'm not a bridesmaid)
-rehearsal dinner
-post-wedding brunch

I can handle the bachelorette party, which is mostly just barhopping, but I'm not sure about the others. Sundresses? Is Labor Day weekend too late for sundresses? I'm also a little worried about the formality. It's my first trip to the south.

[Curegirl]

I love these what should I wear threads! I don't think Labor Day is too late for sundresses especially since weather in the south tends to be balmy. Sundresses seem appropriate for the bridal shower (depending on location and time of day), the luncheon, and the brunch. I would go dressier for the rehearsal dinner depending on the venue. Do you have any dresses in mind? Or going shopping?

[Pollyanna]

We've been here close to two months and find Nashville to be far less formal than other parts of the south. Where is the wedding/reception? I think a pretty dress/sundress will be perfect for the events.

[niener]

We're not very fancy down here . Though ironically I felt that Nashville was one of the better dressed cities in the south -- still not fancy, just better dressed (like you could tell people put some thought into what they put on to run errands rather than threw on running shorts and the first tshirt they found). I think sundresses to both the bridal shower and luncheon sound perfectly appropriate, and it will still be rather warm that weekend (high 80s if I had to guess). I would go a touch fancier for the rehearsal dinner; nicer shoes, nicer jewelry, and a few minutes spent on your hair should get you there.

[L.Jane]

If Labor day is too late for sundresses I was very inappropriately dressed for a bunch of events the weekend of my wedding last year I would go with a sundress for the shower, luncheon, brunch, but something a little nicer for the rehearsal dinner.

[Chrisada]

Raised in Nashville and had bridal showers and wedding here. It's really not any fancier than anywhere else. A sundress is fine.

[oceanchild]

Ok, I will stop blaming Nashville for the fancy-ness, but it is definitely a fancy wedding. I'll blame BIL instead.

I have some dresses and skirts in mind... I'll post pictures if I get a chance. But I'd like to get one new dress, maybe for the rehearsal dinner.

[bokelley]

Just came back in July from a big fancy southern wedding. Pretty much everyone wears a dress, heels and pearls. Men in khakis, button up and bow ties. ( not kidding about the bow ties).
To the wedding - pink dress, nude pumps, pearls
The brunch the next day- I wore khaki sheath dress from brooks brother, heels and a scarf
They had a polo match for everyone (eye roll). I would black blazer, white tank and dark jeans cuffed and panama hat.

[SoonerTexan]

I've actually found northern weddings to be more formal. Some people (my own grandparents included??) were REALLY under-dressed for our wedding. Like Capris and a t-shirt under-dressed.

[Cinderella]

I'd have to agree that Northern weddings or any event up here really are more formal unless stated otherwise. While in Florida my cousin and I were invited to a dinner at this couples home and we went the standard formal and on time. The hosts were surprised and asked why we were so dressed up and on time. It felt odd for both of us and I was born and raised in Texas to boot. I can recall dressing both formal and casual for events in the South. It was pretty much anything goes but not up North. You better wear your Sunday best and be on time.

[Chrisada]

I should clarify. Sundress to the bridal showers but something dressier for the actual wedding.

[oceanchild]

So, the wedding and reception are at the Loews Vanderbilt, which looks to be a nice downtown hotel. Luncheon and rehearsal dinner are at two different country clubs. MIL thinks the luncheon will actually be more formal than the rehearsal dinner, though I'm not sure I believe her. Brunch, I've been told, is casual. Bridal shower is at, I believe, the bride's grandmother's house.

Her parents are both dawkters (of course). I don't know if they are from there, but I know the bride lived there her whole life.

ETA: At least there isn't a polo match. (Wow, B, lol.)

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Formality depends on the location. I grew up in Maryland and my DH took 3 years to learn to pack his damn blazer when we visited my parents! His siblings (Midwest upbringing) rarely wear anything above pajamas, even on holidays.

Sundress is fine for everything except rehearsal and the wedding; footwear and accessories can dress it up/down.

Rehearsal - do you have a location? And I'm assuming evening? I went to one recently that was at 4 PM.

[niener]

Loews hotel is really nice, but I imagine you were going to wear something fancy to the wedding anyway. For events at the country club, I'd still think a nice sundress would be fine.

ETA: Do you have pics of any of the outfits? I wonder if one person's sundress is another person's fancy dress...

[Curegirl]

Oh, pictures!