ISO Assistance with wedding attire for a 'guerrilla wedding'

beacooker · #1 09-01-2009, 07:51 AM

I had never heard of a guerrilla wedding, but my brother is having one in Golden Gate Park (San Francisco) the first week in October. It will be mid-afternoon, with a reception at a restaurant afterward. I'm having a hard time figuring out what to wear, mainly because I can't picture what the weather will be like in SF that time of year. Here in Florida, it will still be summery, but I'm sure it won't be there. Any one care to help me find a dress for the occasion?

Thanks for any suggestions!

Shugness · #2 09-01-2009, 07:53 AM

I had to go and google this because I was quite sure my first thought as to WHAT a guerrilla wedding is probably wasn't right!!!

So is this definition accurate?? A guerilla wedding is when a bride, groom and an officiant with a sense of adventure walk in unannounced to the location of your choice, and get married. You can even have a wedding photographerand a few guests if you like. If you're willing to sacrifice the large guest list and keep the ceremony relatively brief, you can get married almost anywhere cheaply, or even free.

beacooker · #3 09-01-2009, 08:04 AM

Shugness, yes, as far as I know, that is what it is. I got my info on it from the same site as you, I think. Unless I'm totally misunderstanding my brother, and it is a 'gorilla wedding'.

Then my outfit choices will go in another direction entirely.

raka1214 · #4 09-01-2009, 08:20 AM

my first thought was "guerrilla warfare" and just pictured the bride, groom, everyone appearing in fatigues and strips of bullets across their chest - but I haven't finished my first cup of coffee yet either this morning.

kwormann · #5 09-01-2009, 08:34 AM

Check with Canice in the weather to be positive, but last year in SF when I was there, it was pretty darn warm!

HejazSunKat · #6 09-01-2009, 10:57 AM

I have never heard that term either so I just did a little googling too. One couple wanted to have theirs in the sculpture court at the Metropolitan Museum that doesn't allow such things and called it: "The Plan: Get Married Before We Get Kicked Out" so I guess that defines a guerilla wedding - just showing up somewhere that you want to get married at whether they welcome it or not with your officiant in tow and doing the deed before they realize what's happening and boot you out. Learn something new every day.

Ok now, to business...

Hopefully you'll get some San Francisco natives chiming in to give you info on what the weather's like at that time of year and then we can narrow it down. Are the the bride and groom giving you any indication how formal or not the event is going to be? What's the reception venue like? Fancy? Casual? Do you have a preference for skirts or pants? Are there particular colors that are flattering with your coloring? What's your body type like? Tall, short, skinny, curvaceous?

Clover · #7 09-01-2009, 11:13 AM

The weather could be anything, and the weather the day before or after could be completely different. It might be hot, warm, cool, or cold. And not the same all day long either. You want layers so you can put on/take off some of them to suit the temperature. It's a way of life here.

I'd never heard of a guerrilla wedding before, but I LOVE IT.

Kate B · #8 09-01-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raka1214

my first thought was "guerrilla warfare" and just pictured the bride, groom, everyone appearing in fatigues and strips of bullets across their chest - but I haven't finished my first cup of coffee yet either this morning.

OMG, that's EXACTLY what I pictured as well. I love the concept!

Sorry for the hijack.... I grew up in the Bay Area but it's been years since I lived there. I always remember leaving San Jose and by the time we hit SF, we needed sweatshirts, regardless of the season.

Kate

Shugness · #9 09-01-2009, 12:11 PM

I was thinking "gorilla" - like a big costume party centered around a King Kong theme. Would be funny though if a few guest misunderstood and showed up in gorilla costumes!!

HejazSunKat's explaination of one makes sense now - apparently weddings in Golden Gate Park aren't permitted? There was an episode of Bridezilla where they ended up doing something similiar when they didn't get their application for a beach permit turned in on time - they just showed up on the beach and hurried through it before they were caught and removed.

beacooker · #10 09-01-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HejazSunKat

Are the the bride and groom giving you any indication how formal or not the event is going to be? What's the reception venue like? Fancy? Casual? Do you have a preference for skirts or pants? Are there particular colors that are flattering with your coloring? What's your body type like? Tall, short, skinny, curvaceous?

I know the event(s) won't be formal, and will be fairly casual - I'm thinking that a dress I could wear to work would be dressy enough. I would prefer to wear a dress, rather than pants or a skirt. Maybe just because I'm happy for the good excuse to buy a new dress.

My body type is pretty average - I'm average height and weight. I wouldn't want anything sleeveless. Color-wise, blue is the color that is the most flattering on me. Green would be good too. I can't wear red, because the bride is Chinese, and is considering wearing a red dress (the traditional bride's color in China).

Clover, nice to know that the weather could be absolutely anything. That narrows it down.

tbb113 · #11 09-01-2009, 07:31 PM

Late September/Early October is usually nice weather in SF. The fog usually isn't present and the weather should be high 60's to mid 70's. That said, you could get freakishly hot weather or a cold foggy day (especially in GG Park). You need to think layers, it is the only way to survive in SF (year round!).

For example, my son took a sweatshirt to school this morning because it was cold/foggy at 8am. Its now in the mid 80's and I have the air conditioning on since inside my house it was 78 degrees.

beacooker · #12 09-01-2009, 07:53 PM

The layering thing will definitely make it harder. Layering is far above my fashion skill level.

My no-sleeveless rule is making things difficult. I also forgot to mention that I would prefer not to spend more than $100 on the dress.

So far, the only possibility I have found is:

I'm not in love with it, but I might see if I can find it to try on this weekend.

EmilyD · #13 09-01-2009, 09:28 PM

I was in S.F. for vaca last year mid-Sept and could.not.get. warm the whole time we were there. We live in central TX and the weather here was still in the 90s so it was a 30+ degree change, so that might have been part of it, but the partly cloudy weather also seemed to affect my chilled-to-the-bone sensation. So even though it may still be "nice" keep in mind how that weather will compare to what you've just left in Orlando. of course, YMMV...

that being said, here's a nice knit dress from J. Crew for less than $100, with sleeves:

It's hard to tell from the picture, but it looks like the style may be better in person. I also really liked the one you had posted earlier. The surplice neckline and gathering are so flattering on almost everyone.

there are also some cute wrap dresses at Banana Republic, available in Navy and with 3/4 sleeves.

If it's a wedding a bright color is more fun though and I liked this one at Coldwater Creek (imho you'll really need to layer a jacket with this one though for warmth). And at least here in TX I see lots of jewelry that has turquoise and red stones (coral?) in it so you could include lucky red in your outfit without wearing a red dress.

And I wish I had an excuse to buy this dress, available at Macy's for about $64:

Finally, there are a lot of cute options on Overstock too. This wrap dress is less than $40:

Canice · #14 09-01-2009, 09:55 PM

Yea, Clover pretty much covered the likely scenarios. Only thing she forgot is that the weather may be different at your hotel than in the park

.

If I were forced to put money on it, I'd count on heat -- our warm weather typically shows up some time between Labor Day and Halloween, and the temps can get high 80s and above. The dress you posted is very cute (seems dressy for GG Park, though; won't the other guests just be expecting a picnic or something? I thought the idea was they get a bait 'n' switch? Also, think about footwear: may not be fun to walk in heels on the grass). I hate to say it, but you really HAVE to pack a wrap of some sort. Golden Gate Park is near the Pacific Ocean and the foggiest part of town; if that fog rolls in, you're going to be pretty miserable without *something*. But again, I often find October miserably hot. I remember it going from 104 to 56 over night. Does that help?

Do you know where in the park the wedding will be? Which restaurant the reception will be held at?

Is the wedding on the weekend? I ask because there's a huge event in the park then, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. But I'm guessing your brother knows that - it's very popular.

cherylopal · #15 09-02-2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmilyD

And I wish I had an excuse to buy this dress, available at Macy's for about $64:

I love this dress and *need* it for a wedding- I can't seem to find it on the Macy's website- how did you find it? do you remember who made it?

thanks!!

1grl1by · #16 09-02-2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherylopal

I love this dress and *need* it for a wedding- I can't seem to find it on the Macy's website- how did you find it? do you remember who made it?

thanks!!

http://www1.macys.com/search/index.o...Keyword=381118

The link was hidden in the word "Macy's" in her post.

Robyncz · #17 09-02-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canice

The dress you posted is very cute (seems dressy for GG Park, though; won't the other guests just be expecting a picnic or something? I thought the idea was they get a bait 'n' switch? Also, think about footwear: may not be fun to walk in heels on the grass).

I don't think the idea is bait and switch. The guests know they're going to a wedding. It's just that the location hasn't been officially reserved/sanctioned/permitted. So the wedding party has to get to the location and get married without getting kicked out or arrested or whatever. That's the guerrilla party.

Lots of good ideas on this thread. I ought to have you people do some shopping for me!

cherylopal · #18 09-02-2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1grl1by

http://www1.macys.com/search/index.o...Keyword=381118

The link was hidden in the word "Macy's" in her post.

missed that! thanks for helping!!

but

they don't have my size. its such a cute dress though i might keep searching for it...

beacooker · #19 09-02-2009, 09:32 AM

Canice, Robyncz has it exactly right - it isn't a 'bait and switch' (although I love that idea too!). I'm kind of freaking out about that bluegrass festival now. I would think they know about it, but since they are planning this from China, its possible they don't. I'm not sure if I should mention it, or just let the chips fall where they may, since the whole thing is already planned and they may not want to revisit the location. And the reception is going to be held at the Slanted Door ( I think thats the name). Its a Vietnamese restaurant, so I'm excited about that.

EmilyD, several of the dresses you posted were ones I had considered. I like that wrap dress, although I think the picture they chose for the navy one is horrendous. The dress looks cute in the other pictures on the site though. But, navy seems too somber. I think that Macy's dress is really cute, but I don't think it would look very good on me. I don't have much of a bust, so I think that dress would look shapeless on me. I should see if I can try on that JCrew dress. I think the shoes the model is wearing with it look terrible - I would love to see it with better shoes. Although, as Canice said, I don't think I can really wear much of a heel, since I expect to be tromping through the grass.

Blissful_in_TX · #20 09-02-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherylopal

I love this dress and *need* it for a wedding- I can't seem to find it on the Macy's website- how did you find it? do you remember who made it?

thanks!!

I loved that dress too! Now I've spent the last 20 minutes over at the Macys site deciding what dresses I want to buy though I don't *need* them. Thanks Emily

EmilyD · #21 09-02-2009, 10:13 AM

Your brother and new SIL sound like adventurous people -- the guerilla wedding should be a blast. If the group is small enough I'm sure they can still pull it off despite the festival. I'd still give them a heads up though -- if I were trying to pull something similar off, I would want to be able to anticipate and prepare for crowds like that rather than be surprised by even more complicated logistics.

I'm on a shopping diet and post-baby to boot so shopping vicariously was fun! Too bad I can't get a cut if Macy's sells that dress to one of y'all

It does look like it's a bit fitted through the body though, but I know what you mean about the bust (before nursing I was in that same category and my current status is temporary

) and how some of the shift dresses hide what ya got.

I also thought the shoes with that J.Crew dress were a.w.f.u.l. -- but it was the easiest picture to post. And one reason I liked it is it reminded me of a dress I have that looks blah on the hanger but wowsa once on.

in re: to shoes, a nice wedge might be dressy yet comfortable enough for the park. I'm only just getting back to wearing non-flats and primarily have been wearing wedges -- they're like training wheels for heels for me after a year of being in practical shoes. Kitten heels are also easy to walk in, but the heel would probably still sink in too much.

Canice · #22 09-02-2009, 02:07 PM

Sorry, I misunderstood! I've known of people hosting a cocktail party or such and then springing the marriage on the guests - I thought it was something like that.

Can you ask your brother casually if they've picked an area of the park yet? Last year 40,000 people showed up for HSB and that has a serious impact on parking, traffic, and access in the park. Not trying to freak you out, but it's something I would want to take into consideration.

I had a fabulous lunch at Slanted Door yesterday - one of my favorite restaurants.

AzAnne · #23 09-02-2009, 03:10 PM

You can check on WeatherUnderground and get current and historical weather data.

We used this site when my DD was choosing a wedding day

Just viewed the day from previous years and got an idea of what it could be

SusanMac · #24 09-02-2009, 03:41 PM

OMG - I absolutely love this idea for a wedding! This will be a fun event.

I think Oct/autumn is the absolutely best time of year in SF. You will have such a great time.

cherylopal · #25 09-02-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzAnne

You can check on WeatherUnderground and get current and historical weather data.

We used this site when my DD was choosing a wedding day

Just viewed the day from previous years and got an idea of what it could be

weatherunderground is great- dh and i use it all the time and i found out that my mom's new friend uses it before he goes out fishing in the gulf of mexico- he said something about it being the most accurate, reliable....

beacooker · #26 09-06-2009, 07:02 PM

Thank you all so much for the advice. I went shopping yesterday, and ended up with a dress I absolutely love. I found out that SIL-to-be is going to be changing into something more formal for the reception, so I decided to just wear something I already have to the wedding itself, and to get something fun and more formal for the reception. I got the dress at Macy's but I can't find the exact dress on their site. The dress I got is very similar to the one below, except it is in a black and white print. I don't think the picture of it does it justice though - it definitely needs a body in it to show how cute it is!

I also got a black shrug to go with it, and will bring a trench coat to wear to/from the restaurant if it is really cold.

Canice, I discovered that the ceremony is at a park on the other side of the bay, overlooking GG Park, so we won't have the festival to contend with. Phew!

Canice · #27 09-06-2009, 07:38 PM

Well it sure looks cute to me!

Blissful_in_TX · #28 10-12-2009, 10:31 PM

This is so belated, but I ended up getting one of the dresses Emily suggested (I think the 4th one down - from Macys)

I wore it this last week in San Diego in the Gaslight District and had two women stop to tell what a cute dress it was

I also got this dress which is more than I normally (as in normally, in mean ever, b/c I'm cheap like that), and it is so cute! And on sale this weekend!

Finally - totally unrelated - I got this dress (which also comes in long sleeves) from Overstock, and the reviews are correct.....very pretty and very forgiving. I love it. It looks "bridesmaid like" in the photos, but it's honestly perfect for the "I want to look dressy but not too dressy without the standard little black dress look".

http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Sh...6/product.html

Now that that's out of the way, how was the wedding???

beacooker · #29 10-13-2009, 08:40 PM

You know, I never would have thought to look for clothes on Overstock, but from now on, I will have to keep them in mind - they have some cute stuff!

The wedding was awesome, thanks for asking. I was a bit cold, because it was quite windy where we were, but it wasn't too bad. I found some red kitten heel shoes to wear with the dress. The view was really great - we were on an overlook looking out at the city, the bay, and the Golden Gate bridge. It was so pretty! And I didn't see anyone bat an eyelash at a wedding going on, which I thought was kind of funny.

We also ate some really great meals. The reception was at The Slanted Door, where the food was terrific and the presentation gorgeous. We had another great meal at Amber India, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about the incredible fried spinach appetizer we had. Fried spinach - who would have thought?

TKay · #30 10-13-2009, 09:48 PM

The wedding and reception sound like they were absolutely perfect. Now that I think about it, I guess dh and I had a guerrilla wedding. We eloped to Tahoe and got married on a fire lookout. We didn't have a permit or any kind of permission to marry there. I guess I'm more of a rebel than I ever imagined.

Thanks for the update. Sounds like a blast. Glad you had a great time.

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