What to wear for Civil Ceremony (in Switzerland)

One of my friends just did this. She got a lovely white suit dress. She has a big poufy ball gown for the church wedding.

Maybe just a simple white dress. Not a wedding dress, but one like you might wear to a bridal shower, maybe even a slightly nicer version of that.

@MsVanWinkle-she is getting married in Switzerland, a) she may not be having a shower (they're re not that common in Europe; b) people only wear white dresses to them in the States.

@msvanwinkle and @jessiejv thank you! I am actually American but living overseas (and not in Switzerland- longer story than I probably have space for here

I am doing all my planning long distance and struggling with some of the details as I get closer. No shower for me, but I like the idea of a white more casual dress. I just have to find one, but also not opposed to other ideas as I will be space limited in my luggage and something I can wear again on our honeymoon would be good too.

I would check out LuLus. They usually have a wonderful dress selection, with a lot of white options.

I am an American who actually lives in Switzerland! But we're doing a DW to London (FH is British).

In Zurich I know/have seen people do the civil portion in everything from jeans to the clothes they wore to work that day to a nice "dress" suit (think - the things women wear to British weddings in the - white shell, colorful duponi skirt and jacket) to a full on bridal gown.

I would suggest wearing anything that you feel awesome in - doesn't have to be white, but not too dark and a color you feel fabulous in.

Where in CH are you getting married? Weather wise, June is usually not too hot, but can be.

I would wear something like this...

Also keep in mind that you probably need to wear whatever you choose on the train, and then potentially on a tram/bus and walking. Swiss trains are nice, but train bathrooms are train bathrooms, and depending on the route and time of day the trains can get busy. Definitely consider upgrading to a first class ticket.

@MsVanWinkle- I'm not sure if I want to thank you or not for the LuLus suggestion- I hadn't heard of them before and after a quick look it might get expensive

@SwissMs we are doing the church ceremony in Zermatt, so we expect the unexpected with weather. The train is part of the factor that is making this difficult for the outfit choice.

@Katelina1 that is actually similar to one I found this afternoon- thanks!

@Jessica- Maxi dress is in the mix since I can hopefully wear it again- thankfully summer clothes are coming out in stores so there is a better choice now

I'm sorry- I know the struggle! I want everything they have in every color haha.

@Elphiba- thank you, that is a beautiful dress (and now I have another shopping website added to my favorites).

One of the main reasons we are not getting married in Switzerland (other than the lack of good food options) is that I refused to have more than one ceremony for reasons just like this!

I would consider a nice sundress style dress: something like this http://www.bhldn.com/dresses-view-all-dresses/james-dress-ivory/productoptionids/fbcaeb8b-b90b-4e9a-9313-32da085940dd

@SwissMs, I totally get it. I wasn't really thinking about it as a "ceremony" until FH added the photographer to the folks going to the town hall when we started finalizing train tickets this week, and now I'm freaking out about what to wear.

White vintage Chanel suit! (At least that's my dream courthouse/government office wedding outfit, anyway.)

Zermatt has some really lovely churches - so it will definitely be worth it! I honestly would wear something that you would wear in engagement photos. So nice, but not super over the top.

I feel like this is totally up to your personal style, but I'd wear a short white dress! Something similar to what I'd wear for a bridal shower or rehearsal dinner!

@Danielle- Now I'm thinking I shouldn't have asked this question, because every suggestion has me starting to shop

@WWLynnie- thanks! I like those suggestions, now it's just trying to find something I like, and can find online.

I don't know your style, but ModCloth has a ton of cute selections.

The Gilded Grace Lace Dress is one of my favorites and I'll probably be wearing the Champagne version for my wedding celebration later this year. It'd look great at a civil ceremony, imo.

https://www.modcloth.com/shop/bridal-dresses/gilded-grace-lace-dress/10075370.html?cgid=bridal_dresses_53627&dwvar_10075370_color=CPGN#start=1

Where are you going on your honeymoon? If it's somewhere warm, I bet a long, flowy, white maxi dress would look lovely, and would be very easy to wear again. Something like @Elphaba suggested would be easy to dress up for the ceremony, but dress down for dinner out, sightseeing, etc.

@Jessica- I've been looking at their website, just need to decide what style I want

@Runawaybride- we are honeymooning in northern Europe so I could wear a maxi dress again- but probably with a sweater over it I would like to find something I can wear again on our honeymoon