Themed weddings

Goodness, I'm so out of the loop that I haven't even heard of these far less been invited to one. I recently attended a wedding where my outfit was 27 years old but that was not for public knowledge. I was even complimented as 'monochrome was so in'. Some you win.........

We've declined two wedding invitations this month. I got really annoyed that a request for cash was included with the invitation. To me, that's just tacky.

My daughter had a fifties style wedding. We had fun buying china tea sets in charity shops for the tables. However she did not expect the guests to dress in fifties style.

I hate fancy dress dos, and wouldn’t relish a themed wedding, while others love to get into the spirit of it.
If the couple realized invitations were being declined because of the dress code, I expect they would rather you go, and just wear what you like. It depends whether you think you would stand out or not, and if that would bother you.. I don’t think you would be the only one though, and you’ve got it sorted anyway.

I went to a Christmas ball a couple of years ago and got a beautiful dress from a charity shop for £10 and it was much admired. I also got a suitable dress also from a charity shop for a ‘flowers’ themed anniversary party. Also got a beaded one for a dancing weekend, ditto charity shop. Never had to go to themed wedding though, but I expect you could find something suitable second hand.
The only themed party I enjoyed was ‘bad taste’ were you could chuck any old thing together as long as it looked horrible ?
Enjoy the wedding anyway. I have wandered from the wedding theme, I know.

phoenix

How good the theme is “doable”, but themed weddings/parties etc., can be expensive. Perhaps to keep costs down you may consider eBay? Have a wonderful day.

It sounds lovely, grannya. I’m jealous.

This couple met through their love of all things 40’s - tea/swing dances, vintage cars and clothes etc. and so I imagine many of the guests will already have suitable clothes. There will be an afternoon tea and dance, followed by a trip to a local jazz club where we will buy our own evening meal. An overnight stay and a 200 mile journey all add to the cost, but they’re worth it and fortunately we can afford it at the moment.

Things I didn’t know: a new cravat costs £30, swing dresses can be bought without breaking the bank online (mine cost £32), a 40’s hairstyle does NOT suit me and I won’t be wearing one.

I know some people like dressing up, themed or otherwise, but I don't - I don't do formal any more, so I'd decline.

TBH it can be quite expensive enough, attending a wedding anyway, what with travel, overnight stay (we always seem to need to), drinks, present, etc., without having to buy an outfit I'm never going to wear again, and very likely wouldn't feel comfortable in.

It smacks of of Bridezilla to me, though I know others will probably disagree.

My hairdresser had a 'Goth' wedding. She had a black 'meringue' type dress and everyone else wore black.

I love a themed party, have been to many over the years and could probably dress for any era in the clothes I already have. You can find a lot of new “period” clothes on eBay - I once bought a taffeta Edwardian style evening dress on there for around £20, and it’s gorgeous. A lot of it is about the hair and makeup, and accessories that you can easily find at charity shops. As long as expectations aren’t too high, as with the “bring a bottle of champagne” couple (what a cheek!).

I’m gobsmacked by the wedding guests who turned up in old, tatty t-shirts, unwashed hair and jeans or shorts and sandals, which is just so rude and shows a complete lack of respect for the couple getting married. Was there a back story, BradfordLass?

We too were invited to a wedding and told it was to be full evening dress. We declined, but did for a short moment wonder about me going in a tuxedo and Mr P in a floor length gown!

Yes that does sound good crystaltipps In general though I dislike having to dress up for any event.

crystaltipps that sounds fab!

I love a chance to dress up in something glam so I love an invite to themed wedding. I did go to a vintage 1950s wedding and it was great fun, lots of guests raided the charity shops, the bride wore her grandmother’s wedding dress, I made an outfit using an original 1950s pattern. More difficult for the men - double breasted suits seemed to be the most common outfit, although there were one or two Elvis/ teddy boy styles. The reception was a bit of a tea party / buffet with vintage china and lots of home made bunting. Didn’t cost the earth.

I've been to two mediaeval themed weddings and both were gorgeous but apart from the bridal party, no one else was asked (or told) to turn up in special gear.

I honestly think it's a bit of a cheek to tell guests what to wear - we don't at any other occasion do we?

One of the poshest wedding I went to and where the bride and groom's families had gone to a lot of trouble and expense with all the bells and whistles, was attended by her cousins, 6 of them, in old, tatty t-shirts, unwashed hair and jeans or shorts and Jandals.

I was glad my son, a groomsman, looked smart as paint in black frock coat and embroidered waistcoat like the groom.

We had to make an excuse to decline a wedding last year. The bride was the daughter of an ex colleague/friend

The theme was 'glamorous' and the couple asked that the men wear dinner jackets and bow ties and the women come in floor length cocktail dresses and tiaras! All guests were asked to bring a bottle of bubbly to the reception too! We were gob-smacked and decided we really did not want to go to the expense of buying special clothes we wouldn't wear again. I have no reason to ever wear a slinky evening gown!

I heard through the grapevine that many invited did not attend/politely refused, so the gathering was smaller than anticipated. Apparently the hotel could not provide enough ice and wine coolers (or fridge space) for the bottles of bubbly guests brought, so it wasn't a 'champagne galore' do, and the newly weds took the unopened bottles home.