Mousewife: Well, I'm no east-coaster, but I would think it would be fine. That, or a simple bolero?

I'm sure the bride would say "whatever you wear is fine" since they are laid-back people (and they'd know I wouldn't dress like a total slob).

I don't want to wear a little black dress. I feel it wouldn't be good for an afternoon wedding (even east coast). Besides, I like color.

After looking at these suggestions and thinking about having to shop for structured jacket or other accessories I'm thinking I want a more formal look.

Hmm, this really might be a good time to try out eShakti - thanks for the link, Morrigoon. :)

Nope, not for the afternoon, agreed.

Alex, you are too funny! Now, that would be a really brave bride to let her bridesmaids show up in whatever they wanted. ;0) Or some mean bridesmaids.

Morri, good idea. :0)

Susan is a bridesmaid in a wedding this weekend and she gets to wear whatever she wants.

But it is a renewal of vows (for the couple's anniversary). In Las Vegas. At the Elvis Wedding Chapel. So I don't think she is all that worried about what Susan is wearing.

Ah, I'd read your question as the OP as essentially "do you think this will be dressy enough for the bride and groom." But if it was more "do you think this will be dressy enough for the other guests" then I fall back to having no opinion. I have one suit. That is what gets worn if I am in a dress nice environment, and I hardly never notice what anybody else is wearing. For my and Lani's wedding the three guests were wearing dirty clothes since they'd just come in off the playa doing prep work for Burning Man.

Just because we live on the east coast doesn't mean we dress like Amish people.

The dress you selected would be fine I think, but you'll need some kind of cardigan or something to keep from getting too chilly in the evening.

Afternoon wedding = evening party, really.

You could pull off your dress with a striking black wrap and some dazzling jewelry, I'm sure. Don't worry about overthinking it. But if your impulses are telling you strongly that you should be more dressed up, go more dressed up. :)

Actually it doesn't seem like it will be an evening party at all (no meal, hors d'oeuvres only). Then there will be an afterparty elsewhere which will more than likely be very much informal/dance party as the bride and groom are into that "rave music" the kids seem to like.

So I feel that means definitely err on the side afternoon vs. evening, though that doesn't preclude dressed up.

I totally think the dress will work perfectly with a simple black wrap/shawl and some nice shoes. :)

Well, if it is a rave then nude, strung out, and a pacifier lollipop seems the way to go.

Or is that only Burning Man rave?