What is type of attire is appropriate for a bridesmaid to wear to the rehearsal dinner?

Question

I am a bridesmaid in a September wedding, and am having problems finding the best dress to wear to a Rehearsal Dinner. The rehearsal will be held in the brides parents back yard on a Friday night. I have fell in love with this Rickie Freeman by Teri Jon long dress, but I fear that the coloration of the dress may be tacky.

Dress description: Floor length silk dress. From shoulders to mid thigh it is stark white, but at the thighs is flows from light blue to dark blue t'll it reaches the floor.

I have discussed this with a couple of women, and they felt it was acceptable... But I fear that as a bridesmaid/guest it might be taken the wrong way to have a dress with white in it...

In your opinion, and from the dress description, would this be a poor choice to wear to a Rehearsal dinner?

Answer 1

As long as you don't show up looking like a hobo, you'll be fine. The rehearsal dinner sounds really casual so there's no need to worry. You're sweet for being so concerned about upstaging the bride, what  you have picked out sounds beautiful and perfect for the occasion. The bride will want you to be comfortable and feel good that night ... go with what you want. There are no rules for rehearsal dinner attire, unless the bride and groom announce a dress code, which they haven't.  

Answer 2

No one cares what you wear to the rehearsal dinner. The considerations - is your dress suitable for the wedding location? If you need to take a lot of stairs then don't wear a long gown. (Unless the dress you will be wearing day of is also a long gown, then don't wear anything else). Is your dress suitable for the dinner location? It sounds like it might be too formal, and you'd hate to ruin it.

Sounds gorgeous, I don't blame you for looking for more chances to wear it.

Answer 3

Wish I could see a pic. I will try googling it.

I am not so worried about the color as I am the style. It sounds way too formal for an outdoor rehearsal dinner at a home. I might go for a shorter cocktail dress. Also, the pure white main body of a dress in September is kind of pushing it.

If you are desperately in love with the dress, get a blue wrap or chunky blue necklace or long scarf to go with it and offset some of the large area of white at the top.

Sounds like a gorgeous dress. Only you know if the bride would have a fit that someone wore something white to her rehearsal. I mean I compare the white on the dress to if someone wore a fancy white tunic and skirt to the rehearsal dinner -- that would seem also very appropriate to me, and being a shirt/blouse, the white on the tunic would not occur to me as being "bridal white" that you'd want to avoid.

Like I said, if it was me, I'd pass on the dress you described in favor of a knee length cocktail dress. Yet if I was really in love with the Rickie Freeman dress and it looked amazing on me, I would add all the additional blue color I could so it was not so screaming white.

Best of luck.

ETA: I don't think I found your dress but in looking at some other ombre silk maxi dresses, I think you'll look lovely and it won't in fact be too formal. :-)

Answer 4

It's not the right choice at all. Something knee length, like what you would wear to church or to work is appropriate. A nice skirt and top. It sounds way too formal.

Answer 5

I think it should be fine as long as no one is wearing white the day of the wedding I don't see an issue with you wearing it for another occasion that's tied to the wedding

I tried to google your dress but couldn't find it however I found the same designer or what ever (Rickie Freeman by Teri Jon ) but it's shorter more apropriate for the rehersal dinner outside I'd say.

Answer 6

If the dinner is in their backyard, I don't think a long dress is appropriate.   Unless, they are living in a 3 million dollar mansion.  Honestly, go more casual.  If it's in the backyard, I would consider a nice, neat pair of dark denim jeans, a nice dressier top, some cute evening accessories and some heels.  If you must wear a dress, do something at the knee in a darker color.   If it's early September, you might be able to get away with a summer dress.  

Answer 7

This sounds lovely, I just wouldn't over do it with jewelery.

Answer 8

Your attire to the rehearsal dinner really depends on the tone of the event.  Rehearsal dinners can really vary.  Some are BBQs, some are at sports bars, some are at local restaurants, some are at catering halls.  

If I were going to a rehearsal in a backyard, I would not wear a dress.  Unless of course it’s in a tent and fully catered…then it would be okay to wear a dress.

Sounds like you are mostly concerned about wearing white…even though the dress is only half white…I don’t know.  It really depends on the bride.  Is she the type who would be offended?  I know my sister in law wore white to her rehearsal dinner and I think she did this because she was the bride.  If there is any chance that the bride is going to be wearing a white outfit too, I would steer clear of it.  But if she is the kind of bride that really won’t care…then go for it!!