[babydawn]

I attended a wedding last Saturday and naturally (or so I thought) I dressed up because to me, weddings are formal affairs (or at least Sunday best, not flip flop sunday dress, but real old fashioned, Sunday best dress). Well, outside of the wedding party, I was in the small minority that decided to dress up for the event. There were jeans, and tank tops (not nice tank tops, but old grungy tank tops), t-shirts for auto repair shops, cowboy hats..... I was shocked. Perhaps I am old fashioned, but my husband and I decided right then and there that "formal dress" would be added to our children's wedding invitations.

What do you all think? Should people dress up for weddings? Or is this a new age in which the idea of wear whatever, whenever applies even to once in a lifetime events?

[Brownie]

YYYEEEESSSS people should dress up for weddings! Perhaps the couple getting married on Saturday were laid-back folks who don't mind, but if I had been the bride, I would have been hurt.

To me, there are several reasons to dress up (meaning, dress or suit, stockings and formal shoes, hat). One, it's a family occasion where you'll see people you haven't seen since the *last* wedding or funeral, and worth celebrating. Two, it shows respect to the bride and groom --- they're treating you to a party and free meal, you can at least blow the dust off your best shoes for them; if you go in your regular street clothes, that suggests that their Special Day is just another boring day to you.... it shouldn't be. Three, weddings generally happen in a church, and I dress up in a church out of respect for He Who Lives There. Four, people take a lot of photos during a wedding and reception, and I don't want to get caught looking as if I wandered off the street to crash the party. Five, I love my parents God rest them, and they raised me well; I don't want to let them down, so I put on my best manners everywhere. Six, (don't worry, it's last), if everyone else dresses down at the wedding and I dress up, I won't be embarassed because I'll still look nice and have my reasons (listed above), but if everyone else dresses up and I dress down, I'll feel like a jackass.

So, I dress up. I wish everyone else would.

I wish everyone would wear black or at least dark at funerals, too. I've put in my will that I would like my family to go into traditional mourning for me when I've gone.... black-bordered notepaper, black ribbons on the door, etc. etc. They won't do it I'm sure, but they tell me they will, and that makes me happy enough.

[LyndaSLP]

Originally Posted by babydawn

I attended a wedding last Saturday and naturally (or so I thought) I dressed up because to me, weddings are formal affairs (or at least Sunday best, not flip flop sunday dress, but real old fashioned, Sunday best dress). Well, outside of the wedding party, I was in the small minority that decided to dress up for the event. There were jeans, and tank tops (not nice tank tops, but old grungy tank tops), t-shirts for auto repair shops, cowboy hats..... I was shocked. Perhaps I am old fashioned, but my husband and I decided right then and there that "formal dress" would be added to our children's wedding invitations.

What do you all think? Should people dress up for weddings? Or is this a new age in which the idea of wear whatever, whenever applies even to once in a lifetime events?

I'm thinking, unless your wedding's in the horse's stables, you should be dressing in your best attire.

The only time I have ever dressed casually (and I still wore a dress -- it was just not a Sunday best dress) for a wedding is the one where my friends got married on the beach and their invites said, "Casual attire please"

[shazbo]

i would dress up but i also have been to weddings where people are in jeans and also funerals where i expect people to wear black they wear jeans brights colours

[provigal_fam]

I would think one would know what to wear from knowing the people who invited you. I live in a rural area and unless you're a close relative or in the bridal family what most people call "business casual" is the most common garb-but then I've also been to a Harley wedding or three.

[QueenAngie]

Originally Posted by LyndaSLP

I'm thinking, unless your wedding's in the horse's stables, you should be dressing in your best attire.

"

I have to agree with you. Dress for the occasion.

If the wedding is at a big church and the reception is at a country club, I am thinking that teeshirts and jeans are not appropriate; Sunday clothes would be appropriate.

Theme weddings like country-western at a farm with a big barn, would likely be more with jeans, western style shirts, cowboy hats; if that is the bride & groom's choice.

[ADDult_ADDvocate]

I dress for all occasions of this nature, weddings and funerals, etc. I was raised that that is a sign of my respect.

A_A

[twinzplus3]

Originally Posted by babydawn

I attended a wedding last Saturday and naturally (or so I thought) I dressed up because to me, weddings are formal affairs (or at least Sunday best, not flip flop sunday dress, but real old fashioned, Sunday best dress). Well, outside of the wedding party, I was in the small minority that decided to dress up for the event. There were jeans, and tank tops (not nice tank tops, but old grungy tank tops), t-shirts for auto repair shops, cowboy hats..... I was shocked. Perhaps I am old fashioned, but my husband and I decided right then and there that "formal dress" would be added to our children's wedding invitations.

What do you all think? Should people dress up for weddings? Or is this a new age in which the idea of wear whatever, whenever applies even to once in a lifetime events?

Attire for weddings here are as follows:
Morning wedding='Sunday dress'
Afternoon wedding=Best Sunday dress
Evening weddings=formal attire; men in suits
(Unless otherwise specified on the invite). I agree--dressing up is a sign of respect.

[Brandie]

Originally Posted by babydawn

What do you all think? Should people dress up for weddings? Or is this a new age in which the idea of wear whatever, whenever applies even to once in a lifetime events?

Around here, if someone showed up in jeans and not dressed up, it would be quite embarrassing. Several weddings we have been to have been formal evening wear required - not jsut Sunday best, but very formal-wear ... like prom for adults! !
I can't imagine wearing jeans to any wedding - even a courthouse, relaxed affair. For me, even a simple skirt would be a requirement! But I might wear sandals if it were a beach wedding

[PJW]

I''m glad this thread is out here right now. I'm going to a wedding at the end of the month. The mother of the groom is wearing a 1200 dollar outfit; the mother of the bride will probably be similar but a little less.It is an evening wedding. I am the sister of the mother of the groom. Do I have to wear anything special other than just look nice? I don't want to buy anythign adn we rarely dress up I have a black linen skirt that I could put something with and it might pass.....what do you think?