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a blog by catherine kiff-vozza

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WEDDING DRESS CODE | PART ONE

June 19, 2015 Catherine Kiff-Vozza

If you've been invited to a wedding in the past 10 years I bet you've asked yourself "Ugh! What am I supposed to be wear to this?" In recent years weddings have taken on a wide variety of popular themes and locations....gone are the days of getting married in a banquet hall and having signature colors like blush and bashful or as Sally Field would say "pink and pink" (for all of you Steel Magnolia fans.) Weddings are in libraries, in barns, at bars and on rooftops and have themes like rockabilly, Breakfast at Tiffany's and the all too popular "rustic elegance"....none of which is helpful if you are a guest standing in front of your closet trying to decide what to wear.

So I'm here to help, a little....let's start with basic dress code which you hope to god they've printed somewhere on their invitation suite, in the event the bride and groom haven't...ask. I'll tell you as an invitation designer if they don't print it on the invite the location, the style of invitation and the time of day should be an indication but are not always. So today let's cover the basics of traditional wedding attire...next week....everything else.

The most formal...only an evening gown will do and an evening gown means floor length, no cocktail or tea length dresses. Your fanciest of jewelery is more than appropriate. The bottom line ladies is this like getting ready for the Oscars, go big or go home. And who doesn't love the idea of that?

An evening gown or cocktail dress is acceptable (and the same is true if you see Black tie optional or Black tie invited.) However if you are going with a cocktail dress you should accessorize with more formal jewelry, bag and shoes and formal fabrics are important as well. Sparkle and glamor are on the menu so do it up.

FORMAL

Cocktail or floor length dresses are fine but if the invitation calls for Formal attire in this modern age you can absolutely wear a dressy pant suit...key is DRESSY, not something you'd wear to the the office. I LOVE a tuxedo for women. It can make you stand out in a sea of dresses with out stealing the attention from the happy couple. You can also wear dressy separates here so going with a structured top in a formal fabric paired with a ball gown style skirt is so on trend right now.

SEMI FORMAL

I've also heard this called "dressy casual" which is about the most annoying oxymoron ever...a cocktail dress or coordinated separates, will do. Your LBD is perfect here and leaves the accessories wide open for you....they can be more casual when the invitation calls for "semi-formal" attire but it's ok to add a little glam here with something shiny, just don't over do it Zsa Zsa, less is more.

See how I tackle beach formal, casual (scary) and a few other creatively themed weddings here. May the force be with you.

Cheers!

Catherine

In ADVICE, FUN FRIDAY Tags semi formal, formal, illustrations, wedding, black tie, white tie, dress, gowns, wedding dress code, fashion illustrations, dress code, tuxedo
← HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!THE PERFECT GREY CAMO INVITATION! →
IMG_0564.jpg

Hey! Thanks for stopping by The Asylum, a blog by moi, Catherine Kiff-Vozza. Here you can find lots of event inspiration, behind the scenes adventures, recent work and of course tons of artful wedding stationery goodies.


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Thanks for the insight @dianevonfurstenberg as I start my week! 
#inspiration #inspire #inspirationalquotes #quotes #quotestoliveby #motivation #motivationtoliveby #mondaymotivation #motivationmonday #instaquoteoftheday #quotesdaily #fearless #dreams #pursuewhatislovely #pursueyourpassion #pursuewithpurpose #dreams #soulonfire #passion #dreambig #goalgetter #goals #bosslady #girlboss #bosslife #girlbossquotes #girlbosslife
Details, details. 
#stillirise #mayaangelou #butterflies #butterfly #illustrate #illustration #drawing #painting #draw #fashionillustrator #watercolorartist #watercolor #artjournal #creativeprocess #sketchbook #illustrator #artistsoninstagram #instaart #instaartist #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrationoftheday #creatives #art #bts #onmydesk #inthestudio #risingtidesociety #tnchustler
“Just like moons and like suns
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high
Still I rise” -Maya Angelou

#stillirise #mayaangelou #butterflies #butterfly #illustrate #illustration #drawing #painting #draw #fashionillustrator #watercolorartist #watercolor #artjournal #creativeprocess #sketchbook #illustrator #artistsoninstagram #instaart #instaartist #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrationoftheday #creatives #art #bts #onmydesk #inthestudio #risingtidesociety #tnchustler
She’s all done...inspired by one my favorite moments in painting, Dutch florals...naturally the dark moody backgrounds with deep shadows and intense pops of color are what appeal to me most. And thanks to everyone who voted for pink hair on this one...only 2 people said they didn’t love the idea of it. Do you think they’ll change their mind now that she’s complete? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Check out my story for the new piece I’m working in this series. 🖤 “conquer from within”
Dr. Ph. Martin’s Watercolor on Arches cold pressed paper
February 2019

#illustrate #illustration #drawing #painting #watercolorartist #watercolor #drawingoftheday #drawsomething #artjournal #creativeprocess #fashionillustrator #fashionillustration #floralpainting #illustrator #artistsoninstagram #instaart #instaartist #illustratorsoninstagram #wip #illustrationoftheday #creatives #fineart #art #bts #onmydesk #inthestudio #risingtidesociety #tnchustler #communityovercompetition #flashesofdelight
“Cause sometimes
I said sometimes
I hear my voice
And it’s been here
Silent all these years”

Work in progress

#inspired #wip #silentalltheseyears  #illustrate #illustration #drawing #painting #draw #fashionillustrator #watercolorartist #watercolor #artjournal #creativeprocess #sketchbook #illustrator #artistsoninstagram #instaart #instaartist #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrationoftheday #creatives #art #bts #onmydesk #inthestudio #risingtidesociety #tnchustler #communityovercompetition #fineart #dutchflorals
She’s pretty much done...couple minor details in the background but she’s just about ready for scanning. This one is deeply personal to me and I sank into the process of creating her in a way I haven’t in a very long time. I though a lot while working on her about how I work and what kind of work satisfies me and most of all I realized what happens in my work when it’s forced. Nothing felt forced with her. Nothing felt like a chore. I couldn’t wait to paint her all weekend and was excited to get up and see her staring back at me on my desk. I loved how she looked every step of the way and I’m so excited to start working on the next piece in this series. Stay tuned. 
#illustrate #illustration #drawing #painting #draw #drawings #drawingoftheday #drawsomething #artjournal #creativeprocess #sketchbook #sketch #doodle #illustrator #artistsoninstagram #instaart #instaartist #illustratorsoninstagram #wip #illustrationoftheday #creatives #doodles #art #bts #onmydesk #inthestudio #risingtidesociety #tnchustler #instagood #flashesofdelight
Today’s motivation is brought to you by one of my favorite people in fashion Mr. Joe Zee. I think this is such a good sentiment to start my week with. I’m learning to embrace that life is unpredictable and that it’s not just ok but it’s amazing. Love you @mrjoezee and your wisdom. 🖤

#inspiration #inspire #inspirationalquotes #quotes #quotestoliveby #motivation #motivationtoliveby #mondaymotivation #motivationmonday #instaquoteoftheday #quotesdaily #fearless #dreams #pursuewhatislovely #pursueyourpassion #pursuewithpurpose #dreams #soulonfire #passion #dreambig #goalgetter #goals #bosslady #girlboss #bosslife #girlbossquotes #girlbosslife #advice #fashionicon #gratitude
Progress on a new series...wasn’t going to reveal anything until it’s complete but it’s a huge undertaking and it’s going to be a serious amount of time before all the pieces are complete. And I’m too fired up up this girl right now not to share it. #metamorphosis #illustration #illustrator #illustratorsoninstagram #illustratorsofinstagram #changeiscoming #butterfly #fashionillustrator #watercolor #watercolorpainting #watercolorartist #strathmorepaper #phmartins #fashionillustration #paintingoftheday #creativeatheart #communityovercompetition #risingtidesociety
Another day another butterfly study. Getting closer but still not in love with her. 
#butterfly #butterflystudy #illustrate #illustration #painting #watercolorartist #drawings #drawingoftheday #watercolor #artjournal #creativeprocess #sketchbook #sketch #illustrator #artistsoninstagram #instaart #instaartist #illustratorsoninstagram #wip #illustrationoftheday #creatives #doodles #art #bts #onmydesk #inthestudio #risingtidesociety #tnchustler #instagood #flashesofdelight
I’ve been playing with some studies of butterflies recently for a new series...I used ink for the black here but not loving any of it. It’s not watery enough, it’s not loose enough. So more experimenting today to get the look I’m dreaming of in my head. #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrator #illustrator #illustrators #risingtidesociety #creativeentrepreneur #butterflies #butterfly #nature #natureart #insectart #metamorphosis #watercolor #watercolorartist #watercolor_daily #bts #onmydesk #sketchbook #practicemakesperfect #instaart #communityovercompetition #creativeatheart
Thanks for the insight @dianevonfurstenberg as I start my week! 
#inspiration #inspire #inspirationalquotes #quotes #quotestoliveby #motivation #motivationtoliveby #mondaymotivation #motivationmonday #instaquoteoftheday #quotesdaily #fearless #dreams #pursuewhatislovely #pursueyourpassion #pursuewithpurpose #dreams #soulonfire #passion #dreambig #goalgetter #goals #bosslady #girlboss #bosslife #girlbossquotes #girlbosslife Details, details. 
#stillirise #mayaangelou #butterflies #butterfly #illustrate #illustration #drawing #painting #draw #fashionillustrator #watercolorartist #watercolor #artjournal #creativeprocess #sketchbook #illustrator #artistsoninstagram #instaart #instaartist #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrationoftheday #creatives #art #bts #onmydesk #inthestudio #risingtidesociety #tnchustler “Just like moons and like suns
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high
Still I rise” -Maya Angelou

#stillirise #mayaangelou #butterflies #butterfly #illustrate #illustration #drawing #painting #draw #fashionillustrator #watercolorartist #watercolor #artjournal #creativeprocess #sketchbook #illustrator #artistsoninstagram #instaart #instaartist #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrationoftheday #creatives #art #bts #onmydesk #inthestudio #risingtidesociety #tnchustler She’s all done...inspired by one my favorite moments in painting, Dutch florals...naturally the dark moody backgrounds with deep shadows and intense pops of color are what appeal to me most. And thanks to everyone who voted for pink hair on this one...only 2 people said they didn’t love the idea of it. Do you think they’ll change their mind now that she’s complete? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Check out my story for the new piece I’m working in this series. 🖤 “conquer from within”
Dr. Ph. Martin’s Watercolor on Arches cold pressed paper
February 2019

#illustrate #illustration #drawing #painting #watercolorartist #watercolor #drawingoftheday #drawsomething #artjournal #creativeprocess #fashionillustrator #fashionillustration #floralpainting #illustrator #artistsoninstagram #instaart #instaartist #illustratorsoninstagram #wip #illustrationoftheday #creatives #fineart #art #bts #onmydesk #inthestudio #risingtidesociety #tnchustler #communityovercompetition #flashesofdelight “Cause sometimes
I said sometimes
I hear my voice
And it’s been here
Silent all these years”

Work in progress

#inspired #wip #silentalltheseyears  #illustrate #illustration #drawing #painting #draw #fashionillustrator #watercolorartist #watercolor #artjournal #creativeprocess #sketchbook #illustrator #artistsoninstagram #instaart #instaartist #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrationoftheday #creatives #art #bts #onmydesk #inthestudio #risingtidesociety #tnchustler #communityovercompetition #fineart #dutchflorals She’s pretty much done...couple minor details in the background but she’s just about ready for scanning. This one is deeply personal to me and I sank into the process of creating her in a way I haven’t in a very long time. I though a lot while working on her about how I work and what kind of work satisfies me and most of all I realized what happens in my work when it’s forced. Nothing felt forced with her. Nothing felt like a chore. I couldn’t wait to paint her all weekend and was excited to get up and see her staring back at me on my desk. I loved how she looked every step of the way and I’m so excited to start working on the next piece in this series. Stay tuned. 
#illustrate #illustration #drawing #painting #draw #drawings #drawingoftheday #drawsomething #artjournal #creativeprocess #sketchbook #sketch #doodle #illustrator #artistsoninstagram #instaart #instaartist #illustratorsoninstagram #wip #illustrationoftheday #creatives #doodles #art #bts #onmydesk #inthestudio #risingtidesociety #tnchustler #instagood #flashesofdelight Today’s motivation is brought to you by one of my favorite people in fashion Mr. Joe Zee. I think this is such a good sentiment to start my week with. I’m learning to embrace that life is unpredictable and that it’s not just ok but it’s amazing. Love you @mrjoezee and your wisdom. 🖤

#inspiration #inspire #inspirationalquotes #quotes #quotestoliveby #motivation #motivationtoliveby #mondaymotivation #motivationmonday #instaquoteoftheday #quotesdaily #fearless #dreams #pursuewhatislovely #pursueyourpassion #pursuewithpurpose #dreams #soulonfire #passion #dreambig #goalgetter #goals #bosslady #girlboss #bosslife #girlbossquotes #girlbosslife #advice #fashionicon #gratitude Progress on a new series...wasn’t going to reveal anything until it’s complete but it’s a huge undertaking and it’s going to be a serious amount of time before all the pieces are complete. And I’m too fired up up this girl right now not to share it. #metamorphosis #illustration #illustrator #illustratorsoninstagram #illustratorsofinstagram #changeiscoming #butterfly #fashionillustrator #watercolor #watercolorpainting #watercolorartist #strathmorepaper #phmartins #fashionillustration #paintingoftheday #creativeatheart #communityovercompetition #risingtidesociety Another day another butterfly study. Getting closer but still not in love with her. 
#butterfly #butterflystudy #illustrate #illustration #painting #watercolorartist #drawings #drawingoftheday #watercolor #artjournal #creativeprocess #sketchbook #sketch #illustrator #artistsoninstagram #instaart #instaartist #illustratorsoninstagram #wip #illustrationoftheday #creatives #doodles #art #bts #onmydesk #inthestudio #risingtidesociety #tnchustler #instagood #flashesofdelight I’ve been playing with some studies of butterflies recently for a new series...I used ink for the black here but not loving any of it. It’s not watery enough, it’s not loose enough. So more experimenting today to get the look I’m dreaming of in my head. #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrator #illustrator #illustrators #risingtidesociety #creativeentrepreneur #butterflies #butterfly #nature #natureart #insectart #metamorphosis #watercolor #watercolorartist #watercolor_daily #bts #onmydesk #sketchbook #practicemakesperfect #instaart #communityovercompetition #creativeatheart

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Thanks for the insight @dianevonfurstenberg as I start my week! 
#inspiration #inspire #inspirationalquotes #quotes #quotestoliveby #motivation #motivationtoliveby #mondaymotivation #motivationmonday #instaquoteoftheday #quotesdaily #fearless #dreams #pursuewhatislovely #pursueyourpassion #pursuewithpurpose #dreams #soulonfire #passion #dreambig #goalgetter #goals #bosslady #girlboss #bosslife #girlbossquotes #girlbosslife
Details, details. 
#stillirise #mayaangelou #butterflies #butterfly #illustrate #illustration #drawing #painting #draw #fashionillustrator #watercolorartist #watercolor #artjournal #creativeprocess #sketchbook #illustrator #artistsoninstagram #instaart #instaartist #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrationoftheday #creatives #art #bts #onmydesk #inthestudio #risingtidesociety #tnchustler
“Just like moons and like suns
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high
Still I rise” -Maya Angelou

#stillirise #mayaangelou #butterflies #butterfly #illustrate #illustration #drawing #painting #draw #fashionillustrator #watercolorartist #watercolor #artjournal #creativeprocess #sketchbook #illustrator #artistsoninstagram #instaart #instaartist #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrationoftheday #creatives #art #bts #onmydesk #inthestudio #risingtidesociety #tnchustler
She’s all done...inspired by one my favorite moments in painting, Dutch florals...naturally the dark moody backgrounds with deep shadows and intense pops of color are what appeal to me most. And thanks to everyone who voted for pink hair on this one...only 2 people said they didn’t love the idea of it. Do you think they’ll change their mind now that she’s complete? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Check out my story for the new piece I’m working in this series. 🖤 “conquer from within”
Dr. Ph. Martin’s Watercolor on Arches cold pressed paper
February 2019

#illustrate #illustration #drawing #painting #watercolorartist #watercolor #drawingoftheday #drawsomething #artjournal #creativeprocess #fashionillustrator #fashionillustration #floralpainting #illustrator #artistsoninstagram #instaart #instaartist #illustratorsoninstagram #wip #illustrationoftheday #creatives #fineart #art #bts #onmydesk #inthestudio #risingtidesociety #tnchustler #communityovercompetition #flashesofdelight
“Cause sometimes
I said sometimes
I hear my voice
And it’s been here
Silent all these years”

Work in progress

#inspired #wip #silentalltheseyears  #illustrate #illustration #drawing #painting #draw #fashionillustrator #watercolorartist #watercolor #artjournal #creativeprocess #sketchbook #illustrator #artistsoninstagram #instaart #instaartist #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrationoftheday #creatives #art #bts #onmydesk #inthestudio #risingtidesociety #tnchustler #communityovercompetition #fineart #dutchflorals

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