Need Help – wedding in Malibu, CA... What to wear?

I am a clueless midwestern girl who will be attending a wedding at the
Calamigos Ranch in Malibu this spring. What should I wear? I have no
idea if it will be casual, black tie, or anywhere in between... For
those of you who are familiar with the venue, and California weather,
please help me out. I really appreciate it!

Oh, and some general info. I'm 30, average height and weight. Once
again, TIA.

"midwestgirl" <lak...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:1141229743.249187.265...@e56g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...
You really need to find out if it is formal, semi formal or casual.

"midwestgirl" <lak...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:1141229743.249187.265...@e56g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...
What time of day is the wedding? That would be most helpful.
JennP.

It is an evening wedding. A reception follows from 6:30–11 pm (also at
Calamigos Ranch).

"midwestgirl" <lak...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:1141251261.059516.277...@e56g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...
http://www.calamigos.com/weddingindex.htm check out the people of the
guests seated at the wedding. I would wear something dressy with a
jacket or wrap since it could be windy and strappy heels. A good friend
lives in Malibu and the attire is usually dressed up southern California
chic. Check the weather before you go . I don't know your particular
style so it is hard to make more specific suggestions. It looks like a
beautiful place.
Audrey

"midwestgirl" <lak...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:1141251261.059516.277...@e56g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...
It will be fancy, then, Malibu chic. I've been to a conference there, but
not anything terribly formal. The grounds are lovely.
http://www.calamigos.com/weddingindex.htm

Hi Midwestgirl,
Calamigos Ranch itself is great but it's not fancy; it's a bit inland,
in the mountains east of Malibu, almost the Valley side and I wouldn't
really even call it Malibu (although close enough to claim that on your
wedding invitations to out–of–towners; OK, I guess). It is (or was) a
real ranch. It should still be cool in the Spring (and likely downright
cold in the evening) but it CAN be super–hot and buggy (or even cold or
rainy) so pack accordingly. The suggestions for attire already given
here are good except that I would go for dressy flats or wedges instead
of heels because it is a pretty rustic place and you may not want to be
tripping through muddy pastures in stillettos:
http://tinyurl.com/gsaku
http://tinyurl.com/ekx9t
http://tinyurl.com/lxz5s
(etc....lots of cute wedges at Target.com right now)
For an evening wedding/reception in Southern California think chic
cocktail attire: short and dressy. Flippy, wispy, feminine stuff is in.
Babydoll dresses, which I hate, are in. After the ceremony you can show
some skin if you're up to it. Pretty much anything simliar to these
would work with a nice warm wrap or dressy coat:
http://tinyurl.com/ffawx
(Check Marshalls and TJMaxx for knockoffs of these.)
The biggest mistake midwesterners make dressing here is to err on the
fussy/frumpy/older side––i.e., wear the same Dressy–Sunday–Dress
they've had in their closet for 10 years. Keep in mind that women here
dress about 10 years younger than in other parts of the country (my
Atlanta SIL looking at my normal mom–uniform of low–rise jeans,
flip–flops, rockconcert T, and big–jeweled–buckled belt: "I'd be the
Park Grove Elementary School hussy if I picked up my kid from school
wearing that!"). Not that you have to do that but the point is don't
dress "mature" either (unless you were over 50 in which case it would
be quite novel and refreshing and have us all breathing big sighs of
relief, to see a middle–aged dressing her age for once). At 30 if you
are in good shape you can wear pretty much any hip thing you want here
so feel free to hit Forever 21 and the Junior Department to look for
bargains.
A few more things:
–No stockings. Ever.
–Necklace or earrings pick 1. Big chunky multiple–strand necklaces are
hot right now. Chandelier earrings are not. No anklets.
–If you really want to look like a native get a manicure, pedicure,
(pale pink or nude polish, no red, no talons) and blowout that
day....they're cheaper here than in other parts of the country (unlike
everything else). In fact if I were on a budget I would invest in these
and wear a simple cheap dress.
–No "hairdo." High wispy ponytail (a la Keira Knightly) is a nice fresh
look for dressy occasions.
–Big–makeup eyes OR lips...not both
–Don't assume black (or white) shoes go with everything.....go for a
(coordinating) color in your shoes if you can swing it....metallic is
still good too, or even nude....nothing fragile or expensive given the
above–mentioned pasture situation....
–I personally would not wear black to a wedding because I love color
but I see it A LOT so go ahead if you want.
That's all I can think of; thanks for asking; have fun.
SusanInLA
midwestgirl wrote:

wow.. SO good to see you post again. I have missed your input
Stevie

"Stevie" <stevie.wil...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1142276113.962646.126...@e56g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...
who posted what?

that Susan in LA posted again.. haven't seen her posts recently..
she's a friend..
Stevie

<Yuppie.Nat...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1142436443.332061.179...@z34g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
i imagine there'll be more who'll tell you this, but malibu isn't in marin
county ...

That'd be fun....let me know when you are heading north and I'll let
you know when I'm heading south....or maybe we can meet at IKEA. :–)

oh great idea. I am going to be in LA on 3/29 but also have to hit hd
buttercup next week for the lafw suites there.
hmmm maybe we can get you in??
Stevie

oh great idea. I am going to be in LA on 3/29 but also have to hit hd
buttercup next week for the lafw suites there.
hmmm maybe we can get you in??
Stevie

I'm an East Coaster attending an August wedding in San Fran at
someone's family mansion (probably more like a compound). The groom and
bride assured me it is casual, only the wedding party will be
semi–formal and as long as I don't come naked I will be dressed
appropriately– i.e., neither were much help regarding dress code.
So this advice was reassuring, though I've been given to understand
from the groom who is a San Fran native that it is very difft from L.A.
Here is the dress I plan to wear with a wrap to manage weather. Sound
good to you LA'ers?
http://www.anntaylor.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&RestartFlow=t&Section_Id=2995&Product_Id=818063

Hi Stevie!
Good to "see" you too. I mostly lurk nowadays but when I saw "Malibu" I
couldn't resist putting my 2 cents in....
Re: Yuppie.Nation's SanFran wedding however, that is not my
geographical area of expertise.....the only thing I noticed about
fashion on my one trip to the Bay Area is that 1) they don't wear a lot
of color (at least in the city at least in the daytime at least in the
area I was in) and 2) it can turn wet and cold at a moment's notice.
That said, I like the Ann Taylor dress and it looks perfectly
appropriate for semi–formal–to–casual August wedding pretty much
anywhere. You could make it less dressy with flats too...
Yeah, that pretty much IS the dress code these days.....even if people
care what you wear they are afraid to suggest any guidelines–––because
they don't want to put you out, I guess....
Cheers,
Susan

Hey Susan
we need to hookup for some coffee or something
the SF issue. 1) bring a coat.. and a nice one at that. You will use
it. Comfortable but fashionable shoes bec it's likely you will be
walking up or downhill at some point
August is notorious for being foggy and cold in SF so make sure that
you can add a layer or two via a wrap, jacket or sweater + bring that
coat.
do you know where in SF the wedding is? the 411 is based on SF proper
–– the city
Stevie

Thanks for the tips. The wedding is somewhere in Marine County.The
bride isn't exactly the queen of tact so I am sure she'd speak her mind
on dress code if she cared to.
Thanks for the recommendation of flats. I'm just about 5'5" and I love
to wear nice sandals with heels– that will probably be a disaster at
this event.
The other complication, my bf is a groomsmen so we will be invited to a
mid–day lunch before the ceremony which I believe will be at 5. Am I
supposed to wear a different outfit for the lunch? If so, how casual??
Do they expect everyone to spend all afternoon and evening in formal
wear?

Marin County is north of San Francisco on the other side of the Golden
Gate. It too can be notoriously fickle in August and with weather..
you need to determine WHERE in Marin. Tiburon and anything on the water
or remotely close to the water–– you need a coat and maybe tights might
be an option because it will get damp.. However if it's more inland ––
and they have some hilly stretches up there where it can be quite warm,
then you have more leeway.
also since it's near Sonoma and Russian River area, plan on some wine
country time.
I would contact the person getting married and ask specifically WHERE
she is getting married, where is the reception and then call the
reception location (and contact AF'ers) about the weather and what to
take with you. During the day for casual, jeans and even cute little
skirts with sleeveless tops up in Sonoma are de riguer.. because it
gets so warm and shorts might be do–able.
But I would ask.. do ask. because Marin is defniitely a $$$$ area and
you want to come across as a fashionable chic person.
Stevie

Marin County is north of San Francisco on the other side of the Golden
Gate. It too can be notoriously fickle in August and with weather..
you need to determine WHERE in Marin. Tiburon and anything on the water
or remotely close to the water–– you need a coat and maybe tights might
be an option because it will get damp.. However if it's more inland ––
and they have some hilly stretches up there where it can be quite warm,
then you have more leeway.
also since it's near Sonoma and Russian River area, plan on some wine
country time.
I would contact the person getting married and ask specifically WHERE
she is getting married, where is the reception and then call the
reception location (and contact AF'ers) about the weather and what to
take with you. During the day for casual, jeans and even cute little
skirts with sleeveless tops up in Sonoma are de riguer.. because it
gets so warm and shorts might be do–able.
But I would ask.. do ask. because Marin is defniitely a $$$$ area and
you want to come across as a fashionable chic person.
Stevie

Marin County is north of San Francisco on the other side of the Golden
Gate. It too can be notoriously fickle in August and with weather..
you need to determine WHERE in Marin. Tiburon and anything on the water
or remotely close to the water–– you need a coat and maybe tights might
be an option because it will get damp.. However if it's more inland ––
and they have some hilly stretches up there where it can be quite warm,
then you have more leeway.
also since it's near Sonoma and Russian River area, plan on some wine
country time.
I would contact the person getting married and ask specifically WHERE
she is getting married, where is the reception and then call the
reception location (and contact AF'ers) about the weather and what to
take with you. During the day for casual, jeans and even cute little
skirts with sleeveless tops up in Sonoma are de riguer.. because it
gets so warm and shorts might be do–able.
But I would ask.. do ask. because Marin is defniitely a $$$$ area and
you want to come across as a fashionable chic person.
Stevie

oh great idea. I am going to be in LA on 3/29 but also have to hit hd
buttercup next week for the lafw suites there.
hmmm maybe we can get you in??
Stevie