What part of the country are you in?

Maine. Weather can be anywhere from chilly to steamy, on the date in question. I will have a wrap.

i love the navy dress, perfect for mid September. the other in my opinion is mid July.

I agree with Lyban

it would look great with a solid color wrap

Hmm, to me the blue dress looks summery/tropical. I would pick the first one.

They are both gorgeous prints. pink floral works for me in many months so choose the one that feels best on you.

Love them both but the navy seems more appropriate.

I like both but they strongly skew summer to me. If I was choosing one over the other I’d pick the one that looks best on me. Where I live they both give off strong outdoor garden wedding vibes.

Searching for fall wedding guest dresses I saw a wide variety in styles that looked even more summery than those you posted. Some I liked:

Dillard’s, description says stretch tulle, ivory and black, the bottom hem follows the edge contour of the applique, easy to accessorize and for which many would already have appropriate shoes, bag and stole.

These below are all from Anthropologie

This comes in several colors. I jist happen to like the sweater top/ silky skirt look of the dress for autumn but realize it’s not everyone’s taste. The gray and blue would be pretty with silver shoes

This is another black and cream that would look completely different with different shoes and looks like a three season dress. And of course they have their famous Somerset dress in every conceivable color and pattern.

I really like the second dress.

I know that I'm in the very small minority but I really don't like the style of the flouncy layers as exhibited by the first dress. The look is just too cutesy and I can see something like that going out of style and those dresses never being worn again. I've tried on a couple of them and I feel like I'm 12 years old. But I much prefer classic styles.

Ooh, I love the first one. And IME, mid Sept is technically summer, and in my neck of the woods (Maine "light" DH calls it, since we are so far South), often indistinguishable from summer. If you showed up looking autumnal I'd avoid you, LOL!

Another vote for the first dress! I dont think its out-of-season for that time period, especially if you’re in a warm climate.

I like KSWL's polka dot suggestion, but the antrho are too casual IMHO. They are backyard BBQ

The skirts are satin so they’re kind of fancy for a BBQ? I like them also because the top part is a light sweater knit.

Not knowing the venue or couple it’s hard to know exactly what would be appropriate but again— I’m thinking of what would be appropriate for me 🙂. Of the two you like, Local, I would still go with the one that fits best, has the nicest construction, and whose colors suit you best. They’re both very pretty.

I love the first one you posted. I think that's very acceptable for mid Sept wedding. And the long sleeves could be good if a little chilly.

Not a fan of the print of the 2nd dress.

I do like the 1st Anthro dress that kswl posted as well.

The navy is my favorite, love it!

I like the 2nd as the print is more current to my eye and I love the asymmetric placement of it. I also think the sleeveless leans dressier. The 1st looks very busy to me with the busy print, the collar the flounce on the sleeve the tiers in the skirt, the wrap top, the ruffle at the hem...too many ideas in one small dress!

I wore this dress in red to a rehearsal dinner. What about navy for a wedding? To me the lace splits the difference in the seasons. Of course, I’ll never be able to wear it unless my sister is along. She ties beautiful bows.

https://tnuck.com/products/navy-guipure-lace-daphne-dress?_gl=1e9eeq9_up*MQ..&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIveCbnubAhwMVATQIBR3keADlEAAYASAAEgLr_vD_BwE

Thank you for all the kind and thoughtful comments. I havent been to a wedding in ages. I really like the first dress, it feels more like me and also happier, which makes me want to wear it to a wedding. I am glad some of you liked it and felt it was appropriate. I also like the second dress, though the tropical flavor of the print is not my favorite, however the placement of the print does make the dress special. And, I do have a wrap to go with it.

I can actually use two dresses for the wedding weekend, as there is a welcome dinner the evening before and the wedding itself, both events say ”cocktail attire.”

I’ll continue to keep my eyes open as well, all the packages make the UPS guy happy. :)

It looks like you have two contenders. I would order both and see how you look and feel in them.

Dress shopping for me is hard so if I see something I’m always afraid they will run out of size.

I agree with the tropical flowers on the second dress. You didn’t mention where the wedding is. I probably wouldn't wear it up north.

I love the first one, but the 2nd is nice too. I don't suppose you would share a link to the first one? I have been searching for the unicorn summer dress with sleeves and a higher collar and this seems to fit.

BBSTX, I like your style!

Local, I agree it is happy, and if you think so too you will shine in it. Florals are in, it's part of the grandma chic thing. To be honest, the second one gives me Chico's vibes.

A floral with a dark background

https://www.johnnywas.com/lizzy-ruffle-maxi-dress/l31824-6.html?dwvar_l31824-6_color=JUL#mz-expanded-view-997490551097

Having now spent many Septembers in Maine, I think a dark dress in mid or even end September would look downright odd. It is summer until Sept 21 at least anyway.

Edited to add - the Johnny Was dress looks too dark to me for Sept, not the one in the OP

Well I went to an artist's reception a couple of weeks ago on a very hot day and I wore a light weight sleeveless dress with a navy background and asymmetrical colorful floral print on it and got compliments... It certainly felt appropriate for the occasion and I was comfortable. It didn't feel wintery at all.

Both dresses look very pretty! I'm partial to the second one, but that's probably more of a personal preference than anything.

Have to laugh at Mtn’s comment ”Chico vibes” both dressed are from Chicos. I have ordered both dresses for a try on😀

@daisychain Zn3b here is the link https://www.chicos.com/store/product/ruffle+bell+sleeve+dress/570365209?utm_source=parcellab&utm_medium=email&utm_content=any&utm_campaign=&utm_term=any

I think Chicos has some great basics, but they go off the rails with patterns sometimes!

Yep, ever store has hits and misses! I just ordered this dress from BR too.

Oh I really, really like that! That's my new vote. Unless you are petite, in which case I still pick number one.

Have I mentioned that I need two dresses? One for the Friday evening welcome cocktail party, and another for wedding itself.

Here is a summer dress in an autumn pattern!

White or tan wrap or—my fave— cropped cardigan. You could fancy it up with a viscose cardigan with beaded trim. (Or not) From Talbot’s

I like KSWl’s. Just no to a white wrap.

I love the BR dress too! And just like that, it became my favorite!

I am going to have to have a word with KSWL. I shall wait of course until she is in fine fettle, but this has to be nipped in the bud ASAP.

First she uses the word "holiday" in a July 24 post. 🤯 Now she is pushing autumn. KSWL, doesn't life go by fast enough? You are a summer killjoy!

I do not recognize Fall until the leaves have turned which, in Coastal and southern Maine is "Mid- to late October or third week of October." We'll talk then. And I will prob argue it is Indian Summer then, too.

I know I know, KSWL, you are itching to use those cute lil' pumpkin tureens, aren't you?

i like the original 2 dresses, and think they would be appropriate. I also like the Anthropologie dress and that last blue BR dress AND KSWL's sleeveless autumn dress.

Question though--- maybe I am aging too quickly but with the blue BR dress and the Anthro dress- am I the only one who thinks the accessories are a bit off?

clunky shoes, large tote bag? It makes me think maybe the dress is actually too day to day wear rather than for a wedding ( even if it's less formal).

Salonva, sometimes it seems that regardless of fabric or style, dresses are shown with lug soled shoes and a huge tote just to prove that the outfit can be ””dressed down” with accessories. If i hear the word ”juxtaposition” in one more youtube video …... let’s just say it has the same effect on me that talking about Cmas before Dec. 1st has on Mtn!

salonva, I think it is styled to market to their typical demographic. Personally, i think they could have done better but the style/lines do not read beach formal. You'll see similar on other sites marketing to the younger age groups. That's ok... we can style our own ways! :)

My personal rule for avoiding recognition of winter was to disallow the wearing of a winter coat before Thanksgiving (because I would leave winter coats at home and not bring them school until end of Thanksg break).

I also favor the first dress - it seems more light and festive and looks like my kind of style. I like the longer sleeves too. The second just doesn't seem as festive - not so much a party dress, IMO.

The one in neutral shades that Kswl posted is also very pretty.