etienne asked:
I’m attending a wedding at kew gardens this weekend … what can I wear and not wear? I have a dress with a bit of white on it– is that acceptable? What about a red satin trench coat, is that too loud? Am i required to wear a hat? This is my first English wedding so I just want to make sure I’m dressed appropriately. thanks.
I’m attending a wedding at kew gardens this weekend … what can I wear and not wear? I have a dress with a bit of white on it– is that acceptable? What about a red satin trench coat, is that too loud? Am i required to wear a hat? This is my first English wedding so I just want to make sure I’m dressed appropriately. thanks.
First off, the main issue is that you are not trying to out-do the bride. You can wear anything you want, as long you are not all in white. Red might be a bit off-setting, it sounds as though you might be drawing attention to yourself. A hat would be nice, not required, of course. If I were you, I would choose a lovely long white wool coat that you could pull off as you enter the church, and have it sit in your lap. Have a dress that matches your hat, and cry a bit as the nuptials are completed.
Depends a lot on the weather of course. You may want to take a colour coordinated umbrella!
A dress with a bit of white is fine, an all white dress is traditionally only for the bride. If yours is blue and white, for example, take a blue straw hat and sandals to tone down the white factor. Hat doesn’t have to be formal, just get a plain straw from M and S and tie a scarf round it, or a flower on the band.You don’t have to look like Princess Bea at her cousin’s wedding recently, with head full of butterflies!
Red satin coat is too garish for a garden in the sunlight. Everyone will be waiting for you to flash the bride groom!
Something pastel coloured and summery is ideal – maybe a linen jacket with a flowery or blurry pattern flowing skirt? Think the colours of gelato.
And if you don’t wear a hat, have your hair loose and shiny rather than formally and stiffly done.
You may not look English but you will look appropriate!