Zencentury answered the question. No need.

It does sound like a dressier wedding, so the black tie designation is an alert just so that you will have an idea what to wear in terms of a dress.

If you know the bride/bridesmaids maybe get a vague idea what colour they will be wearing...so you won't be surprised.

At my partner's son's wedding, I wore a black strapless dress with just tiny rows of pink ribbon edging at bodice edge and hem of dress. Dress just hit me above my knee.

I wore this dress....because I originally bought it for a black-tie Christmas dinner part for a law firm that I once worked for. I spent $50.00 on that dress...just too lazy/cheap to buy another dress which I may not wear again.

Discovered in advance that the bridesmaids...were wearing blak satin dresses..with straps, various styles. They looked to me, contemporary and proper. Bride wore a creamy lacy gown.

To ensure that I was NOT part of the bridal party, I wore a light pink, transparent chiffon shawl...this was a summer hot wedding. They coincidentally provided me a lovely pink orchid wrist flower to wear.

Have fun choosing your dress ...and hopefully you can wear it to 1-2 other events later!


Meanwhile I'll keep on cycling ..to ensure I will fit that dress later.