Venue vs. Dress

I think you should wear what you want

As long as there are no logistical issues (the mentioned ball gown on the beach) I say wear whatever the heck you want

Since we're ceremony in a church and reception in a restaurant my only concern was fitting in the booth side of the table at the restaurant haha but I threw that out the window and went poofy!

I don't think your dress has to match your venue. You get to wear it once! Wear what you want!!

Never even thought about it.

Wear what you want! After all, it is your wedding!

Correction, it matters to a certain extent...

I wouldn't wear a sheer bodice with a hip high slit for a church wedding.

I wouldn't wear super couture extra "cake topper" ball gown to a barn wedding.

I say both yes and no. I feel like "get a dress to fit the venue" applies in certain ways. Such as, if you have a more casual venue, it's kind of odd to have a satiny formal gown with tons of bling, or if in a really tiny venue to wear a huuuuge dress. I think A-line isn't too ostentatious for outdoors (actually, I think it's one of the least ostentatious sillhouettes), and I feel like tulle can be very romantic and summery. I think the beaded-ness depends on how formal your event is. The outdoors can really be anything- very casual to very formal. On the other hand, most people don't even think about it, so if you really want it, go for it. I'd probably be the only weirdo to think about it. :-)

For example, I'm wearing a corseted tulle champagne ballgown with black floral appliques. It's very dramatic, and on the formal side. The ceremony is in a permanent outdoor worship area, which is very woodsy, and the the reception is in a huge (950 capacity) historic ballroom.

Wear what you want!

I had an overall vision of my wedding. My wedding "theme" is an extension of me so everything I've bought and booked fit that vein. I love soft and light, I love pinks and champagne. Therefore, if a venue didn't fit my vision of my wedding I didn't visit it. I wanted to be married out of doors in a garden setting. I love lace dresses and the two marry very well.

I say for your situation, wear what you want.

The only thing I was worried about was the weight of the dress. I'm having an all outdoor wedding and didn't want it to be too heavy to drag around, and if its 100+ out that day I needed something that would "breathe". Other than that I didn't care if it matched the venue, as long as it matched me.

I would say if you feel its the dress go with it! I say how you feel and look in it matters more then how it "matches!" Although it is important to consider comfort so that kind of goes along with the venue- for me I wanted to make sure it would be light enough for my outdoor summer wedding and something I could dance like crazy in!

Yes, I absolutely think the dress and venue should compliment each other. Being under or overdressed at a wedding happens all the time. I also think the B&G's attire should compliment each other. You won't break any laws being overdressed, you may just be uncomfortable for the elements and feel a bit out of place. It may also create a weird schism between yourself and your guests. Not to put down your backyard reception in any way at all, just as a guest I would dress differently for it than I would if I were a guest at a reception at the Ritz Carlton.

We had an afternoon garden wedding. I found a vintage gown and had it shortened to tea length because the long train just didn't seem appropriate for the garden.

I had a vision for what shape of dress I wanted and it just so happens that my venue complimented it.

I think they need to compliment eachother.

I'm doing puffy modest ball gown for the church and strapless sexy satin mermaid for the outdoor garden beachfront reception