At this point, I think I would just say, “I’m still looking.” Because that is truthful. You’ve got a great option, but you might find something you like better. You bought this dress because there was no way it wasn’t at least a contender - it’s gorgeous and what a deal! Woo-hoo!
My MOG friend bought three or four different dresses as options! Same for the rehearsal dinner.
What kind of jewelry will you wear?
True, that will buy me time.
I’ve actually been wondering myself and even googled jewelry trends 2024. Looks like big jewelry May be slowly returning. Not sure how big though.
I used to love statement necklaces and just feel this dress is screaming for one. I’ve been searching fir something that doesn’t look dated. Betsey Johnson has some gorgeous floral ones out there secondhand. I think I need to just shopping, and that’s certainly something I have time to decide. Should I stick with the plum color, or pearls, rhinestones? Seems color would balance the dress.
However I love big dangling earrings. So should I do that instead and more subtle necklace? Argh.
@conmama , It seems fine that you prefer not to let people know in advance about your dress. That is your choice. You could potentially thank the “nosy” friend for asking, and then tell her you’re keeping it a surprise!
The dress is lovely and congratulations on becoming a MOG! I was one last year and it was great.
We look forward to following your journey!
@conmama , The dress is very nice and you may not necesssarily need big or trendy jewelry to go with it. A subtle, dainty necklace might also be nice. The pictures with bride and groom will be around for many, many years, so something not trendy could actually be a good thing. But, follow your own style and instincts. Good luck with getting your whole outfit together. You will be a lovely MOG!
I also think a large, splashy necklace will detract from the lovely dress. I’d go for a smaller something. A strand of pearls? Your dress is gorgeous and works for you so well!
That’s why I always hunt for halter dresses. 
No agonizing about necklaces! Long, dangly earrings, and that’s it.
Perhaps a simple necklace? If family significance, even better.
I like wearing family jewelry for important events. For daughter’s wedding, I wore a set of my mom’s pearls. For son’s wedding, the dress looked best with a chunkier stone necklace husband had once given me for Mother’s Day. By then my mother had died, and I really wanted a way to have her “with us” that day, wedding and formal reception held at a nature preserve. Mom had a hobby collecting vintage pins, especially butterflies… so I sewed three of then onto a purse-like bag. At Christmas I’ll see if DIL wants one (or all) of these pins.
@Colorado_mom , I had nothing but jewelry on from family for son’s wedding and it was meaningful, now that you mention it. Very nice pearl necklace and dainty matching bracelet from my sister. Wedding ring from husband, of course. I had a high neckline dress and wore the diamond solitaire necklace from my late mother in law under the neckline (but wore it with the rehearsal dinner dress also where it could be seen). And the thing that really meant alot-my sister encouraged me to wear our maternal grandmother’s engagement ring from the 1920’s. Very simple but lovely. She died when my mother was a toddler and my mother was gone at that point as well. Very special.
That sounds lovely to me. (Admittedly I’m pretty sappy on the family sentimentality stuff. I realize that many others prefer new, current styles of accessories.)
I agree with others, not too “heavy”, IMO. Something like this but with rubies.
or
or
or layer two or three or with pearls and/or “diamonds”:
I imagine there are many in the Etsy collet necklace group who would make you a custom one. Good luck!
Another vote for not so heavy. You look great in the dress and have an elegant neck/shoulder/decolletage. I would worry that a heavy necklace would detract from that. Plus the dress has its own bling. You could do with some fancy earrings instead!
I agree with you all about the necklace. The Von Maur $68 dress came in today and I tried it on just to make sure it fit the same. I went to lunch with a “birthday twin” friend today . My 64th is tomorrow! Anyway she gave me a daintier gold chain link with a double plum and mauve stones at the end. I tried that on with a chunky rhinestone I owned just to see the look. The chunky one just completely took away from the dress. The gift with just my color stone dangling looked lovely. Enough so I might wear that, she would be so pleased. Next time I put the dress on I’ll take a pic. Now I can wear statement earrings that I love so much.
That sounds lovely. Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! 64 and utterly SMASHING in your MOG dress!
I chose dresses my daughters wanted me to wear. D1 wanted me to wear a brighter ball gown for her wedding, and D2 wanted a black, more fitting dress for me. To be honest, I don’t think any8ne would remember my dress. The focus is on the bride.
I am picky about my jewelry though. 
You had your daughter’s guidance and help, which is nice. No one will eventually even remember what the bride wore, either. It’s all about THAT day, and I guess I don’t see anything particularly wrong with wanting to look wonderful. I’m always interested in what my friends who are the MOG/MOB wore.
You could even say, if it’s of no importance at all, why do we even have this thread?
Happy Birthday @conmama. Glad you found the dress, and a possible necklace to go with it.
I was really glad that I was looking good for my daughter’s wedding! Usually I am not at all fashion conscious (look in the mirror every day and say to myself, will anyone think I look ridiculous? No? Good!) but I loved my dress and it was a bonus that it matched the flowers!
As with all “wedding stuff” there are different thoughts and traditions amongst people, regions, religions, etc. I mean, don’t forget the “wear beige and shut up” motto! 
We should be able to be respectful of all dressing decisions (unless the MOG or MOB wants to wear a sparkly long white dress!!!) whether that is to put a lot of emphasis on what you are wearing - or not.
I don’t think that anyone intends to represent the family by looking shabby. There is a lot of ground between “nice” and “sparkly white long dress”!!!
But as usual on CC, you have to be prepared to get feedback on your side and sometimes the opposite!
