What to wear for a wedding?

[Cadaverous Pallor]

We're attending a wedding in Boston in mid-September. (Not summer weather, not freezing either.) GD is a groomsman so he's wearing a tux. I'm not in the wedding party. It's an afternoon wedding. This friend of ours isn't usually about formality, so I know it won't be super uptight, but nice.

I bought a dress but I'm having second thoughts. Here's a bad photo of me in it while in the fitting room. Spoilered for size.

Spoiler:

While the pattern seems dressy enough to me, the fabric and shape are still on the casual side. I'm beginning to worry it won't look nice enough next to a tux.

What do you guys think? It's easy enough to dress for an evening wedding but afternoon ones throw me for a loop. Any other dress advice?

[Gn2Dlnd]

No piccy. Or is this one of those "can't be seen by fools" deals?

Will the afternoon wedding lead into an evening reception? If so, dress as you would for an evening wedding. Of course, I'm not all that fashion savvy, so, grain of salt and all.

[BarTopDancer]

I can't see the picture either. But I understand East Coast weddings are much more formal than West Coast so I'd err on the side of formal.

[Kevy Baby]

Its the Emperor's New Dress

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Sorry about that, here's the pic.

Spoiler:

Attachment 1505

[katiesue]

you could easily dress it up with acessories and maybe a jacket.

[Strangler Lewis]

Hard to tell from the picture.

But since it inspired a heartfelt "huh!?" reaction, I'm going to question the premise of the question: that any of you--but especially you, newish mom--should fly cross country to attend the wedding of someone who, jumping to conclusions, I will guess is some serial monogamist in his thirties.

Now if this guy is like, say, Marty, never had a date in high school or college, seemed doomed to be alone, but ultimately fell in love with some wallflower at the dance hall, then, yes, it's a joyous occasion and spare no expense. But otherwise--send a gift and a telegram.

[innerSpaceman]

Personally (and I may be dating myself), any New England wedding after Labor Day, even in the afternoon, calls for something a bit formal - and that's not even counting that your escort is wearing a tuxedo.

You're young, so you don't have to go stodgy. But Boston is not L.A.

[BarTopDancer]

It's a cute dress (why can't I see it in FF... only in IE...) for cocktails but I'm thinking not really east coast wedding appropriate especially if GD will be in a tux.

[Morrigoon]

Do you have a black structured jacket you could wear with it? The dress is nice, would have fit in perfectly at the wedding I just came from. And the jacket might make the difference between a California wedding and an East Coast one. Especially paired with heels.