My husband's brother is getting married on December 15th. Their wedding was supposed to be semi-formal. They aren't having a dance or a dinner, just a luncheon with family and then an open house style reception. But the groom decided he wanted the dads and brothers to wear tuxes. But the bride doesn't care what the moms and sisters wear, mostly because of a limit of money. She does have two bridesmaids who will be wearing formal dresses in her colors, a friend and one of her sisters. On the groom's side there are 4 sisters, two of which have husbands who will be wearing tuxes. So my question is should the moms and sisters wear formal dresses or just semi-formal dresses or skirt/shirt outfits that are the best they have? I asked the bride and she doesn't even care about anything, "as long as she gets married." So pretty much her mom and one of the groom's sisters is planning the whole thing. Is there special etiquette for this?
2006-12-05 03:24:10 · 14 answers · asked by mommyem 4 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
I would not wear a long formal gown since it is a luncheon and you are not a bridesmaid. You should wear what you would normally wear to an afternoon wedding which is semi-formal (I loathe that term, but whatever)--a pretty suit, a cocktail dress or a taffeta skirt with a silk blouse would all be very appropriate. As sisters of the groom, if you want to stand out as family members, you could all wear a tasteful corsage or get hats for yourselves.
2006-12-05 03:32:34 · answer #1 · answered by sq 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's the bride's big day. If she doesn't care what you wear, don't worry about which men are wearing tuxes. A luncheon reception is less formal and doesn't require tuxes. Just wear your nicest suit or afternoon dress. The bride has the right attitude. She wants to get married and she wants the family and friends there, but she doesn't care about the details. It's going to be a happy wedding.
2006-12-05 03:55:54 · answer #2 · answered by Wiser1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest that the women in the wedding party get something comparable to a tux otherwise it will look out of place. For the people not in the wedding party it would be just fine to go more casual, its a day time wedding so its quiet ok to be less formal. The bride's mom could find something that's more formal for pretty cheap.
2006-12-05 03:29:51 · answer #3 · answered by ghostpirate7 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One thing you will want to point out to your in-law-to-be.... yes, she may just want to get married, but the wedding pics that get passed along to the future family members are leaving a trace of the course of family history.(" What do you want your great grandchildren to know about you on that day? ") I look at my wedding album, and although my mom has passed some 6 years ago now, it was supposed to be a happy time, pics of her and my mother-in-law together.... especially poignant this year, as she died in January. It means a lot to my four daughters to have a photo of both of them together. My mom married back in 1947, the clothes, the hairstyles, really made a statement about the time and spirit of things in the history, not only of our family, but of the nation. What length of dress you wear is not as critical as being up for the pictures, and not wearing zebra stripes when all the other ladies are wearing solid colors. After all, it is the bride who is supposed to stand out. Congratulations on getting an extended family member to add to your tree. By the way, get yourself a book called Leaving A Trace. It may help you decide.
2006-12-05 03:37:00 · answer #4 · answered by H2Ocolors 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wear the nicest dress you own. I wouldn't go out and buy anything new, unless you don't own one. If that's the case, get a nice cocktail dress. No need for you to spend the money on a formal gown. Don't wear pants or a skirt. It sounds like that would be a little too informal for the occasion.
2006-12-05 03:31:37 · answer #5 · answered by married2004 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Formal dresses for an afternoon wedding? No. Wear something dressy/semi-formal. The tuxes are all wrong for this sort of wedding-- tuxes are for after 6pm only, (but I know people don't care if they look silly when they think they look "expensive" )
2006-12-05 03:30:05 · answer #6 · answered by Violet Pearl 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wear the nicest thing you have in your wardrobe, it does not sound like they are too stressed about the formality. Perhaps call the venue they are holding their reception and ask if there is a dress code. If it is at a private home, then dress in what you like the most.
2006-12-05 03:34:46 · answer #7 · answered by sparkleythings_4you 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would find my nicest outfit in the closet & wear that. Since the bride has told you just to wear whatever then as long as you don't show up in jeans & a T-shirt it should be all good. Think church clothes or a nice pant suit.
2006-12-05 03:27:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since the bride seems to be taking a casual approach to the whole thing, then there is no reason why you should think otherwise...if the bride just wants everyone to be there, then just show up in your best cocktail number...no reason to scrutinize wedding attire for nothing...
2006-12-05 07:45:22 · answer #9 · answered by VAWeddingSpecialist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can wear their sunday's best. The Mother of the bride and groom should wear something elegant, such a two piece suit in light colors or a conservative light colored dress.
I hope this helps. Good luck
2006-12-05 03:45:28 · answer #10 · answered by Blunt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋