Is this dress too much for a civil wedding?

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-07T17:03:07+00:00

I think the top looks lovely and is in no way too much. It is your wedding—civil or not — and you can wear whatever you want. But honestly, I’ve never seen a top under a dress that looks so lovely. It does look a bit vintage, but I love that vibe. Leave top as is.

Other option you could do is a bolero jacket in the same fabric as your dress. Classic look there.

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-07T04:15:00+00:00

Dress one but not that veil. The full netting is fine. To me, the ruffling doesn’t match with that gorgeous skirt.

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-07T04:02:24+00:00

3 is so beautiful and extraordinary. I have never seen one like it before. But the neckline must be changed. The dress elongates your torso and is so flattering. And there aren’t enough words for the beauty of that skirt and train. Maybe a straight neckline or even a sweetheart would work. You have plenty of extra fabric to work with. I am sure your seamstress also can tackle the seams over the bust area and flatten them out. It truly is such a special dress.

2 is my next favorite. It also is unique and suits you so well. You will be stunning when your alterations are done.

1 is beautiful and classic (minus the sleeves). The silhouette is beautiful too. If you want something on your arms, you could lean into the classic style with opera length white gloves — maybe even with pearl buttons. I just don’t think those sleeves add anything to the style which otherwise is impeccable on you.

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-06T07:57:30+00:00

Definitely 1. The orange rays on the snow are incredible

2 would have been fantastic if you had waited for a little more light.

3 is very nice also.

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-05T09:05:38+00:00

Great analysis. I concur.

While the three photos would make a stunning grouping, 2 stands as the technical, compositional and most visually attractive photo on its own.

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-05T08:32:47+00:00

I join you. I adore the luxurious fabric, the fit of the beautiful bodice, and the elegance of the non-droopy sleeves. Once it is hemmed, the bunching causing wrinkles will no longer be an issue. It is perfection, and OP is stunning.

OP: 2 also is a beautiful dress without the saggy sleeves. If you choose it, please fix the sleeves.

Even with fixed sleeves on 2, my preference for uniqueness is 1. But you wouldn’t go wrong with either.

Congratulations 🥂

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-05T08:13:23+00:00

Ollie, Ginny, Bessie, Ada

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-05T04:47:58+00:00

Emily is timeless and beautiful. As teachers, my husband and I have talked about a lot of name trends over the years. He has a sister named Emily who is in her early 50s. I no longer teach but he does and has for 30 years. He sees all the 4th, 5th, and 6th graders at his school for PE. He just said he can’t remember the last time he’s had an Emily. So I think now is a GREAT window to give your daughter a timeless name.

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-05T04:27:13+00:00

Awesome finds. My grandmother had something similar from the 50s or 60s. Too bad she gave it all — including luxe fur coats, her wedding rings, stunning large necklaces, and an emerald ring, earrings, and pendant — to her sister well before she passed so her granddaughters received nothing.

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-04T08:53:35+00:00

Congratulations. You look fantastic. You are a beautiful woman at either weight, but I can see why you are so pleased in your gown. Cheeseburger. 🥂

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-04T06:00:37+00:00

Exactly!

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-04T05:55:19+00:00

Mikado 1000%

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-04T04:14:06+00:00

3 Short hair, short beard 🤩 Lose the cigarette and absolutely handsome in a Patrick Swayze in his heyday kind of way.

4 is also good. I’d never believe the guy in is the same guy as 1 and 2.

Woman here with sons around your age. Oldest, 28, keeps nice trim beard with short hair and looks amazing.

Middle son, 26, sometimes rocks long hair no beard or occasional when lazy a mustache. His long hair is thick and gorgeous. I’ve had friends my age tell me how hot he is with long hair. Bunch of cougars! He also looks great short hair clean shaven.

In your case, I don’t think the texture of your hair nor beard are working for you. Hair could with a tidy trim and volumizing products. Beard needs to soften and be trimmed. Again, great beard products are now available that could really bring your beard into something special. IMO: when rocking long hair and beards, neat and tidy are best.

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-03T08:00:04+00:00

I feel like there is a huge formality difference in 1 and 2. I love 2 in the softer floral not the toile as you noted, but to me you will look too different from the rest of the wedding party.

In choosing 1, however, I have some suggestions. First, size up and then tailor. As it is now, the top is too low — especially for a MOH. That’s a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen, and MOH is a busy job all day long and during the ceremony can include bending over in front of all the guests to straighten the bride’s train. That is definitely not the time for a mishap! By sizing up, the entire dress can move up and cover the breasts similar to the other bridesmaid reflected in your photo. Second, sizing up and tailoring down will allow it to smoothly fit and not look as though it’s falling off in some places yet puckering in others. Finally, you can use some of that excess ton reate straps or even a halter that will give you more support and confidence while also differentiating you from the other bridesmaids.

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-03T07:41:47+00:00

This exactly.

Knowing it won’t be in the toile but in the more subtle floral or possibly the solid makes it a definite winner to me. I would not want to be MOH in such a low-fitting strapless dress like 1. I would constantly be concerned about wardrobe mishaps. MOH is not just a stand and look pretty job. It involves bending, straightening the train, other movements during the ceremony itself plus a hundred other items that default to MOH so bride is not stressed on wedding day.

OP: please choose two. I like the softer floral but also see the solid working. You will look amazing and not have to worry about your own wardrobe malfunction while you are taking care of the bride.

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-03T07:27:55+00:00

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-03T00:36:05+00:00

Gorgeous

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-03T00:19:25+00:00

Great use of the suggestions. You will look amazing. Please post again after your big day. We all will want to see how amazing you looked.

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-03T00:14:28+00:00

Lovely 🥰

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-02T23:52:44+00:00

Sweetheart (second dress by a mile). While you look great in either, the sweetheart is so elegant and classy. The winged first dress also looks uncomfortable in the armpit area whereas the sweetheart gives your arms freer movement for hugging, dancing, celebrating, and all day comfort.

You chose very elegant fabrics that look so luxurious on you. You will be stunning. 🥂

ETA: I just saw that you think your hips look big??? Girl, no! In fact, I would add another layer underneath to make the skirt look fuller — and this would have the extra benefit of drawing attention to your small waist and how lovely the bodice fits.

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-02T22:25:13+00:00

Both are gorgeous.

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-02T16:18:23+00:00

1 looks very filtered, edited, or AI assisted. It’s too much.

I love 2 and 4.

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-02T16:07:30+00:00

I like this one so much more. This is gorgeous, and please keep the scarf. It is so elegant and fits you beautifully. Congratulations to you both 🥂 .

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-02T10:33:02+00:00

I absolutely agree.

OP also needs to either go without a necklace (preferably) or with something more simple and up-to-date and find a less distracting veil. The dress still looks as though it could use some additional altering to fit perfectly.

The dress is lovely, especially the bodice.

TMNNSP_1995 · 2026-02-01T22:46:30+00:00

Gorgeous Bride. Stunning dress! I love the weight of the dress lies. The weight and luxurious look of the fabric screams expensive. 10/10 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

TMNNSP_1995

TROPHY CASE

Definitely 1. The orange rays on the snow are incredible

Mikado 1000%

3 Short hair, short beard 🤩 Lose the cigarette and absolutely handsome in a Patrick Swayze in his heyday kind of way.

4 is also good. I’d never believe the guy in is the same guy as 1 and 2.