How about this dress?
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I also think your dress doesn’t have to be plain or solid. There are more subtle prints that could work. Only you know the feel of the wedding, venue and such.
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I think a dressy floral print would be lovely in a garden wedding.
This does not have a long sleeve but the green would work with champagne and pink, and look pretty in a garden. Perhaps team with a ivory and green silk shawl.
https://www.dillards.com/p/alex-evenings-tea-length-a-line-soutache-dress/512451299
https://www.adriannapapell.com/products/foiled-mesh-draped-midi-dress-in-black-multi-ap1e209186
Likely above your price range but here as an idea:
If you like a wrap dress:
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I support @sevmom in not wanting any cold shoulder, asymmetrical, etc. styles! I do not want any of that either! 
I am a big fan of tea lengths; they can be quite formal!
If I can find a photo of the dress I’m considering, I will post it. It is a tea length halter style dress 
. Perfectly symmetrical, evenly hemmed, and will be good for dancing.
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Thanks to all for the lovely suggestions. I sent the link on the floral dress to my DIL and was hoping for more clarity (I already know she thinks tea length would be perfect). But she responded a little while ago that "the floral dress is beautiful!! That would be lovely for the rehearsal dinner or the wedding! " Almost wish she would say she doesn’t like something but she is too nice! She liked the light blue Nataya dress I sent her a while back too!
My budget is $100-$200 but would go up to $300, but only for the perfect dress. I will probably go in person later this month to a department store to look around again. Good luck to you @BunsenBurner with your dress!
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I just ordered this dress from Nordstrom on sale to see if it works. I have very similar requirements.
https://www.nordstrom.com/s/js-collections-cecily-embroidered-midi-cocktail-dress/6579196
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@bhs1978 That’s funny. I mentioned that dress up thread a while ago and ordered it in November. I liked it but it just didn’t work for me when it arrived. Hope you like it. It’s a great dress, just didn’t look right on me . I decided I wanted and needed something less form fitting. But, it would be a great dress for the right person! Let us know how you like it. Hope it works out for you!
I hope it works as well. I’m not overly optimistic, I have such a difficult time finding things that fit the way I like. And I just have a body type that struggles. I will see such beautiful dresses on someone or on the rack then when I put it it on it’s just ….meh. Just had one of those today. Already packaged to be returned.
I’ll let you know how it works for me.
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I would love to hear if you find something. We seem to have similar criteria and similar taste (although I can’t wear florals). In any case good luck and would love to see some of your other choices. My sons wedding is not until October so I have time.
Kay Unger has a lot of pretty florals that look more cocktail/wedding appropriate:
Kay Unger - Julianna Midi Dress - Deep Port
Kay Unger - Anna T-Length Dress in Terra Cotta Gold
I love this one and I bet it could be shortened to tea length:
Kay Unger - Coty Wide Leg Pant Jumpsuit - Classic Navy/ Apricot
Fernanda Midi Dress – Kay Unger
Also check out JS Collections:
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Also, check out Alex Evenings. Very nice dress styles, and all in your price range.
Would something like this work…
Or this?
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At 5”1”, I can’t find tea length. If you find a long dress you love, have it cut and hemmed. That May open you to more options.
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@bhs1978 Our wedding is May (not October like yours), so am looking for something good for spring. Either pastel or navy blue. Navy blue is not really springy but I do like it and am still keeping it in mind.
I saw this today but am concerned it is too light? Is blush pink okay for a spring, garden type wedding ? Bride’s dress is white, bridesmaids in champagne. Cocktail attire dress code.
https://www.dillards.com/p/adrianna-papell-metallic-dot-faux-wrap-midi-dress/512451254
My head is spinning from looking at all these dresses! And it is easy to see something you like online , but it doesn’t always work once you try it on. Good luck to you and @BunsenBurner in finding the right dress!
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Thanks @sevmom! I like the AP dress in your link! IMO, it is a great color for a spring wedding.
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That’s a beautiful dress! Nice spring color. I would check o the blush color. How close would it be to the Champagne bridesmaids dress and how would it coordinate in pictures. I know my future DIL is very concerned about that.
Good idea. I was going to run it by DIL but she is pretty low key about it , just says she wants everybody to feel comfortable and wear what suits them. I think unless I send her a picture of something truly hideous, she will say it’s fine! BUT, this is the second wedding after a very small COVID wedding that family was not a part of. So, first wedding for immediate families and many of their good friends. They are excited.
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That’s what I was thinking; blush and champagne might wash each other out In photos, especially if the champagne color is carried out in table decor or such. Now if it was blush champagne, like we drank on NYE…