|| Dress: Marchesa Notte (rented via Rent The Runway) || Heels: kate spade new york (from 2013) || Earrings: kate spade new york (similar color, different style) || Ring: Tiffany & Co. || Photos: Melanie Foster Photography ||
A few months ago, my husband and I had a chance to attend a wedding down in Austin. The invitation noted that the special occasion was "black tie optional." Upon reading this, I was giddy with excitement! Living in Oklahoma and working in the agriculture industry, I do not get invited to a lot of black tie events. This was an opportunity for me to serve a look from head-to-toe! But first, I had to figure out what the heck to even wear to a black tie optional wedding.
The first clue to decoding the dress code is looking to the invitation for guidance. Here are a few things to look for:
Where is the event taking place?
What time of day or night is the event?
How formal is the material and style of the paper good?
By answering these questions, you will have some insight into what the couple is thinking. To me, black tie optional is a chance to wear a fabulous cocktail dress (close to knee length or longer) or an evening gown. Remember, you are not going to a nightclub or a New Year's Eve party. As a last resort, if you are still feeling stumped, reach out to the bride or groom (in advance) to get their feedback. I would love to say these things were common knowledge for me; however, that is not the truth. I have picked up on these things by listening to The Emily Post Institute's Awesome Etiquette Podcast. Special thanks to Dan and Lizzie for keeping me from making a fashion faux pas!
When I was searching for a dress on Rent the Runway, I was looking for something a little more over the top than what I would typically wear to a wedding. I figured this was as good a time as any to experiment with something I have had my eye on. One of the biggest perks about RTR is the ability to get a backup size for free. This particular designer is on the expensive side, so I was not sure what size I would be. I always take time to read the stylists notes and user reviews before ordering. Since the dress is a little extra, I decided to keep things simple with my hair, makeup, and jewelry. By doing those things, I could pair it with a great statement shoe.
Speaking of shoes, during the wedding reception, I had a horrible shoe mishap. One of my high heels came apart out on the dance floor! It's funny now, but during the time I was not laughing. During this long weekend trip, I only packed three pairs of shoes (shocker, I know). Thank goodness I had a neutral heel back in my hotel room. I made a quick dash from the venue to the hotel and swapped out shoes. We happened to shoot this look after that wedding. My heels were not yet repaired, so I opted for these seafoam green heels. I thought they paired nicely with the floral-embroidered lace. I have never received so many compliments from random strangers. People in the hotel lobby and bar were even approaching me telling me how beautiful I looked. I felt like a modern-day princess, twirling the night away on the dance floor.
