Why we’re all married to the idea of a perfect wedding
IS IT BECAUSE MY FRIENDS and I have all reached 30 or because summer is just around the corner that catch-up conversations are starting to veer towards weddings? Reliable bridal venues, how long a veil ought to be, rain-proofing options and flower arrangements – these are regular topics despite the fact that none of us is yet engaged.
It’s wedding season so naturally a swarm of invites have already crept through our letterboxes. ‘Can I wear the same dress again, if I dodge the photographs?’ my girlfriend asked me. Unless you’re on a six-figure salary or a dab hand with a sewing machine, you can’t take on the challenge of nine weddings in one summer without recycling a dress. Other popular queries are: What’s an appropriate colour palette? Can I wear flats? One friend asked if she would upstage the bride in a floral crown at a beach wedding? As it turns out, you don’t have to be married or getting married to have the answers.
Generally, there is no set of rules for ceremonial dressing except that you shouldn’t wear white. All you think have about is turning up looking smart and wearing comfortable heels – there’s no excuse for sore feet at weddings. Floor-length hemlines are usually a failsafe way of ensuring you’re dress-code appropriate. After that, your main goal is to make sure somebody doesn’t rock up wearing the same thing – a total nightmare. Try to avoid this by sticking to the stores that everyone else won’t instinctively raid such as Coast, Reiss, Karen Millen and Zara. These are big contenders when it comes to dressing women for summer events so try to steer clear.
Reliable haunts in Dublin for bespoke statement frocks include Om Diva on Drury Street, SeaGreen in Monkstown and Costume on Castle Market, they have never let me down. Of course, if you have the budget, Brown Thomas always wins. You can normally nab reasonably-priced pieces from Maje, Self Portrait, and Needle & Thread. At Arnotts, Three Floor and Ganni are equally reliable occasion-wear collections.
Summer weddings are traditionally less rigid and much more colourful, so they allow for print and breezy lightweight fabrics that will generally make the whole search process a lot less challenging. I adore Free People’s dreamy wrap dresses at ASOS and US brand Revolve’s silky tailored jumpsuits and co-ords that will be worn again and again.
Never rule out online shopping when you’re struggling to find something. If you’re a separates girl, stick to two stylish pieces that work well together but are equally as strong on their own. Monsoon have some pretty special embellished separates this season, while online store Lavish Alice has block colours in streamlined silhouettes with exaggerated sleeves for the girls who prefer minimalist measures.
One friend asked if she would upstage the bride in a floral crown at a wedding