ALICE & OLIVIA RIKI CUTOUT PONTE SHEATH DRESS // ALDO CICCI HEELS // KATE SPADE CEDAR STREET MAISE HANDBAG // DAVID YURMAN OVAL LINK BRACELET // DAVID YURMAN CABLE CLASSICS BRACELET WITH TURQUOISE // GORJANA MIKA LARIAT NECKLACE // TAUDREY "THE FASHIONISTA'S DIARY" BANGLE SET (c/o) //
If you’re reading this because you’re trying to find the perfect dress for an upcoming wedding, you’ve come to the right place. I was in your shoes not long ago trying to find something for my brother-in-laws wedding in Philadelphia. Today I’m sharing three tips to find the perfect outfit for any wedding without breaking the bank!
1. Location, Weather, Mood
Every wedding is different depending on the location, how hot/humid it might be, whether it’s black tie or not, and how you want to present yourself. For the wedding we attended in Philadelphia, it was going to be hot, the dress code wasn’t formal, and I wanted a dress that would make my husband say, “you look HOT!” Mr. Jones was also in the wedding and wearing a tuxedo. Since I would more than likely be in some of the family photos, I wanted to find a semi-formal body-con dress that wasn’t too revealing. Deciding on what to look for before you start shopping is a great way to save time, especially when you’re shopping online!
2. Budget
The second step to finding a fabulous frock for that summer wedding (or weddings) you are attending is determining your budget. If you’re going to more than one wedding or have a big vacation coming up, you might have a tight budget. That was definitely the situation I was in because I need to save money for our summer vacation, my niece and nephews arrivals in July, our frenchie's arrival (be still my heart!) in August, etc. Lucky for me, my mom had bought the most beautiful Alice & Olivia dress for a Derby party she attended at the beginning of May and was nice enough to let me borrow it (love you mom)! If you have a friend, sister, or even mom that is the same size, think about tapping into their closet first. This will save you some major dough and you’ll still look fabulous, it’s a win-win!
Another option before buying something is checking out Rent The Runway! They have fabulous designer dresses that you can rent for a fraction of the price. You can get two sizes sent to you to make sure one fits and for a small additional fee, you can add on another option just in case!
The third option is shopping sites with on-trend items at affordable prices. I shared a list of 9 retailers that fit this description, so I would start by shopping there. You’re more than likely to find more than one dress you want to buy!
3. Longevity
If you’re going to invest in a more expensive piece, there are a few things to consider before pulling the plug. The first is how many times you think you’ll wear the dress. A solid color dress like this Alice & Olivia number can be worn over and over again because it’s classic, not too trendy, and can be reinvented with accessories! Next, you should consider the fabric and whether or not it can be worn in the winter. If you can wear it with tights or over the knee boots for a winter event, you’ll get more bang for your buck! Lastly, if you purchase something expensive when you really shouldn’t (hey, we’ve all been there!), check out sites like eBay, Tradesy, and ThreadUp to see if the dress (or brand) has a good re-sell value.
After you have considered all of these things, you should have an idea of what you want to wear and where to look for it depending on your budget. You can also start your search right here on Me & Mr. Jones by checking out the wedding guest shop! There are so may fabulous frocks of all price points that are guaranteed to put you on the best dressed list!
Happy shopping and have a fabulous weekend!