Hey friends! I’m finally back in Houston, and ready to bring you all the wedding guest or rehearsal dinner dresses! Plus, in the next couple of weeks I will be writing several posts about ‘mother of the groom’ tips and checklists. I was shocked how little information or helpful resources there were available for the mother of the groom on the web.
Romantic, flowy halter dress.
So, today we are talking about tips for dressing for the rehearsal dinner. My first tip is think about the venue for the rehearsal dinner. We held my son’s at a winery/restaurant. It was an intimate, and romantic atmosphere, so I chose this bold floral halter neck dress. I added some summer wedges for a less formal feel.
I love the halter style dress because it is so feminine and looks good on so many body types. It also elongates the arms, making them look slimmer. The long tiers of the skirt are flowy, and hit at just the right places, making it a long slender silhouette.
This dress runs true to size. I am wearing my normal dress size here. And it hits just above the ankles on me. The fabric is made of polyester and spandex, so it was very cool and lightweight. Perfect for the sweltering heat in Dallas, even though it was held indoors in the evening.
![](https://i0.wp.com/cindyhannamblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/img_5268.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
Ruffled short pink dress.
Secondly, make sure you are comfortable in what you are wearing. The odds are that it will be a somewhat stressful and emotional time for the mother of the bride and groom, so you don’t want to be struggling with your apparel as well.
Also, you will most likely be up and greeting guests, checking on the details of the menu, and fielding last minute questions. All those emotions and movement leave us a bit sweaty and sticky, so try to find clothing that works with the environment.
I know that it was super hot at first as guests were arriving at our venue, but then as people settled into their seats and began eating things cooled off and many of us were chilly. So bringing a light layer like a wrap, blazer, or lightweight jacket might be a good idea depending on the setting.
This ruffled pink dress was one of the dresses I considered wearing to the dinner. Ultimately I wore it the morning and afternoon of the wedding so I was wearing the bride’s colors for the wedding and looked cute for random pictures we were taking before we got to the venue.
The pale pink color, gathered neck, ruffled sleeves and tiered skirt are simply darling. It also is a lightweight material and very flowy, so I didn’t get hot as I was moving from one activity to the next. I simply added a cute pair of summer sandals and beaded earring for a polished, but casual look.
This dress is available in limited sizes, but I’m linking some others that you might want to browse through below.
![](https://i0.wp.com/cindyhannamblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/img_8875.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cindyhannamblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/img_8875.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
*NOTE*
I will write another post with some ideas, final thoughts, and checklists for a rehearsal dinner in a week or two. Hopefully it will address some of your questions, and ease some anxiety if you are the one having to plan the event!
Coral tiered floral dress.
Finally, remember the goal of the evening is to honor and celebrate the happy couple. You’ll be focused on friends and family and enjoying this special time with them. So, you want to be comfortable and confident in your outfit choice.
This coral tiered dress is a stunning dress. It was my original pick for the rehearsal dinner, but as we got closer to the time, I decided it wasn’t exactly the style or color I was looking for. It was simply too dressy.
In the rehearsal dinner invitation we had stated that the dress code was to be casual. The ladies could wear dresses, skirts, jumpsuits, etc. So technically the dress worked, but really I think I would felt over dressed, so I opted for the halter style dress.
This dress is still available in many sizes, and runs a little bit large. If you like a roomy fit, stick with your normal dress size. However, for me the top ran too big, and I would need to size down one to make it work. Otherwise, I loved the flowy floral material, and the fit and flare style.
It has a removable tie belt, and zips up the back. I’ve paired a nude strappy sandal and neutral bag for a dressy look. I also added a pair of white statement earring to brighten up my face.
I’ve linked this dress and several others below.
![](https://i0.wp.com/cindyhannamblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/img_1535.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cindyhannamblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/img_1535.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
Of course, the most important thing to remember is to enjoy the precious time you have to celebrate the bride to be and the groom at the ‘night before’ dinner! It’s such a special time, and you’ll want to have fond memories of it in years to come.
If you are looking for more ‘wedding’ related inspiration check out ‘Mother of the bride or groom rehearsal dinner dresses’ part 1 or 3 tips for finding a mother of the bride or groom dress.
As always, I hope you have found this post valuable. I’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, and any ideas you have for future posts!
Happy shopping!
XOXO,
Cindyh