* A nice pant suit; dress; long skirt and top or short skirt and top is acceptable. It depends on what attire the individual is comfortable in. Some women enjoy getting dressed up (one should not out-dress the bride or her bridal party) while other women choose comfort. For men a suite, shirt and tie are appropriate. The jacket can be removed after the formalities at the reception.
Yes, you can certainly wear the same dress for an an afternoon wedding and an evening reception. It may be more suitable to wear something a little more evening-appropriate, even if you're slightly overdressed for the wedding (rather than vice-versa).
In some cultures, it is common to wear different outfits for the wedding ceremony and wedding reception. The bride would change into traditional evening wear during the reception. As a professional wedding photographer, I have been to weddings where the bride (who is of Chinese heritage) has changed into several different traditional outfits during the wedding reception.
What is considered a "good" wedding dress to wear during the reception depends on the bride. Some brides prefer to wear the same wedding dress during the wedding ceremony and the reception. Other brides prefer to change into something different, often something that's easier to move around in as they may be going from table to table greeting guests and/or dancing a lot. A "good" wedding dress to wear during the reception is whatever suits the bride as far as style, comfort, and cost.
Only if it's a formal wedding.
If it is an evening formal wedding, then yes.
it can be a long dress or something you would wear to a party
It depends on what she wants. You should ask her, not strangers.
An outside wedding is one place you can always get away with wearing a hat.
Only if she is part of the wedding party.
Late afternoon. You want to wear something dressy, but not evening wear. It is too early in the day for evening, but late in the afternoon for morning.
If you are having a somewhat formal reception in a tent, restaurant, hotel or somewhere that guests are expected to dress up; you can wear your wedding dress (people will want to see you in it) but if you are having a laid back event then don't wear your dress unless it is a casual dress without a train. You can just wear a pretty dress in ivory, blue, pink or pale yellow that isn't a wedding dress.
Pink with white combination suits will be so nice for wedding even at evening 7pm.