My friend’s son recently got married, so I wondered what to wear and if I should I bring a present.
I haven’t been to a wedding recently, so I thought it could be like attending church – people wear everyday clothes now, and I’ve even seen shorts worn to church.
Dozens of websites offer tips on what to wear to a wedding. Generally, they go like this:
First of all, follow the directions on the wedding invitation, if any.
White-tie. A formal evening gown for women and a black tailcoat and white bow tie for men.
Black-tie. A floor-length evening gown for women and a tuxedo for men.
Formal. A long gown, nice cocktail dress, or tailored pantsuit for women and a dark suit with a dress shirt and tie for men.
Cocktail attire. A knee-length or midi dress, with the hem falling between the knee and ankle, for women and a suit for men with a tie optional.
Semi-formal. A nice dress, skirt, or pants for women and slacks and a dress shirt or suit with a tie for men. Semi-formal may be the most common wedding attire.
Casual. Sundresses for women and collared shirts and khakis for men.
What not to wear for wedding attire includes:
- Don’t wear white for women, which distracts from the bride dress.
- Don’t match the wedding party colors.
- Avoid wearing black unless it’s a black-and-white wedding.
- Don’t wear jeans and a t-shirt, even if the wedding is casual.
- Don’t wear anything too revealing.
- Make sure you have the proper undergarments for the outfit you choose.
I wore a sparkly purple jacket and nice slacks. People attending mostly wore cocktail attire. I did see a couple of people who wore hoodies and one man in jeans and a t-shirt.
On taking a gift to the wedding, most gifts are sent to the couple through a bridal registry these days. If you take a gift to the wedding, the advice is that it shouldn’t be too big.
My present was a set of glass storage containers. I recommend people use these rather than storing food in plastic.
I had a great time and it was fun to celebrate with the happy couple and their friends and family.
