What to wear to son's wedding?

I've no idea, but welcome to a2k. With any luck, people who do know will be along to post...

Re: What to wear to son's wedding?


A tuxedo is typically considered formal wear. Semi-formal would be 2 or 3-piece suits. But maintaining that sort of dress continuity is usually only a concern of those in the wedding party.

The mothers of the bride and groom aren't normally expected to be in evening gowns. A nice semi-formal dress is always appropriate.

This is a good place to start:

http://fashion.about.com/cs/tipsadvice/a/weddingguest.htm

Does the bride want you and her mother in dresses coordinated with the bridal party dresses?

Why not consult the bride--or her mother? Explain that you hate to bother them with details, but wedding fashions have changed a great deal since you were married and you don't want to be a Glaring Error on the special day.

Do you fancy a full length, dressy dress?

Some of it will have to do with when and where the wedding is. Day? Evening? Church? City Hall? Fancy catering hall? Outdoors somewhere?

I was married at noon in a catering hall and my mother and mother-in-law both wore ankle-length dresses. The groomsmen all wore tuxes as did the fathers so that all went together. But we could have gone with something less formal if it had been a garden party type of affair, and then tea-length dresses probably would have been just fine.

I also suggest talking with the bride. Tradition states that the mother of bride picks a color first so that the mother of groom does not wear the same color. But that is tradition - and often times the bride and groom do not want to follow tradition, so check with your son and daughter in law. If they say whatever, I'd ask the salesperson when you go purchase your dress.

Absolutely speak to the bride and/or her mother.

Not white and not black. That's the extent of my knowlege on the subject...