Wedding attire question......

[Kteacher]

We're going to a wedding this weekend. The invitation says semi-formal, the venue is a farm, and the ceremony is taking place outside. My outfit is no problem, but DH is going to melt outside in a suit and tie. He has some dressier guayabera shirts, but I'm not sure if that will pass as semi formal, although the venue is a farm....so, never having been to a farm wedding, what do the men wear??? Maybe we should go in Green Acres attire

 

[DarthKTrava]

Honestly I don't see why the need for "semi-formal" attire since the location is someone's FARM.... The ground can't be conducive for ladies who are wearing heels of any sort.

I can't give any advice here. My sis' wedding was at some local lodge and although the dress was "casual", I felt over dressed wearing a polo shirt and casual slacks....

 

[Costumesaremylife]

I think your husband will be fine on a farm in a light colored shirt and perhaps khakis.

I think those shirts are quite nice instead of plain old mens shirts.

 

[Scurvy]

I think men are usually expected to wear a suit to a semi-formal event. I can see why that would be a problem since the event is outside, though. It doesn't sound like very good planning - they could have guests passing out all over the place if it's too hot. I certainly hope they have enough seating and plenty of water for everyone!

I don't know that the fact that it's being held on a farm should really matter since they did specify semi-formal; I would be afraid I'd be the only one underdressed if I dressed more casually than that. Maybe they will have tents or pavillions of some kind so it won't seem like you are really on a farm.

If my husband and I were invited to something like that, I think he would probably end up wearing a suit but would be planning to take the jacket and tie off if everyone else was dressed more casually.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Well, I supposed you should define farm.

Like the farm on Dallas with the multi-car garage or the farm like my aunt's farm where we had to pick our chicken for dinner?



I'd have DH wear a light-colored suit with a light-weight shirt. This way, he can ditch the jacket and tie as the day wears on.

 

[tw1nsmom]

How well do you know these people? Do you know what their definition of semi-formal is? For some people semi-formal would be to wear their good jeans. Others follow a more standard definition. Is there anyone you can call to check?

 

[SaraJayne]

You can never go wrong with khakis and a polo shirt.

 

[Caradana]

Is this "farm - cows pooping on hay as the tractor drives by" or is this "farm - a thousand acres of perfectly manicured estate"?

To me, the decision rests on the definition of "farm."

 

[Serena]

I would call and find out.

I have alternate pictures. Showing up in overalls to a wealthy horse farm, or showing up in a suit to a pig farm.

But, I have relatives that own a pig farm and they have a humongous house, indoor pool, large yard with a lake. The "pig" part of the farm is a little ways away.

 

[Linzybrooke]

I agree that you need to figure out what type of farm it is, and as someone else pointed out, what their definition of "semi-formal" is. If there is someone you can call, I would do so.

 

[GJM]

You need to find out what kind of farm. We had a place by us that had Farm in the name, it was not a farm at all but a very upscale place.

 

[tinatark]

Semi Formal, farm or not, inside or outside, means a suit - not shorts, not khakis and a polo. What if the wedding was outside at a country club and requested attire was semi formal, would he consider wearing shorts there? Surely they are aware of the weather forecast and have made accomodations for the wedding party and guests.

 

[Kteacher]

I looked the place up online, it is not a working farm. It looks rustic, i.e. gingham curtains and exposed beams. I think he's going to wear a light colored jacket with linen pants and a shirt and tie.

 

[BelleWDW]

There's a venue like that in my area. A cute cottage in farmland. The place is all paved patios, fountains. its really nice.

I'd plan to ditch the coat after the ceremony if its hot.

 

[HM]

Wear a suit. During the wedding, wear the jacket. During reception take it off.

 

[SaraJayne]

Semi Formal, farm or not, inside or outside, means a suit - not shorts, not khakis and a polo. What if the wedding was outside at a country club and requested attire was semi formal, would he consider wearing shorts there? Surely they are aware of the weather forecast and have made accomodations for the wedding party and guests.

Not here it doesn't. Around here, the only people that wear suits to weddings are the groomsmen/ushers.

 

[Kteacher]

I don't think I ever suggested that he might consider wearing shorts. Anywhoo.......just found out that the wedding will also have a Red Sox theme....so now it's a semi-formal baseball themed farm wedding

 

[Deb in IA]

You are from MA, right?

I think to most East Coast folks, "semi-formal" means suit and tie for men, dressy dress for women.

Now, we just went to a wedding with the reception in a real barn. An old, converted barn, that is used for celebrations and festivals, at the Amana Colonies, called "Festhalle". No airconditioning, and on the hottest weekend so far this summer, complete with heat advisories and heat index about 110.

But to the bride and groom's credit, they specified that dress is "cool and comfortable".

 

[Scurvy]

Not here it doesn't. Around here, the only people that wear suits to weddings are the groomsmen/ushers.

But does that include the weddings where the couple specifies "semi formal" on the invitations? I know that weddings tend to be more casual in some areas than others. But there's a difference between a couple inviting everyone to a wedding where everyone just wears whatever is typical for their area and a couple specifying "semi formal" on the invitation. If the couple actually says "semi formal", it means that they are requesting that everyone dress a certain way. And for the men, that means they are supposed to wear suits. It's like specifying "Masquerade Ball" or "Black Tie" or "casual" on the invitation - they are trying to let their guests know what to wear.

It does sound like this couple might have just put "semi formal" on the invitation without knowing what it means. It seems kind of strange to have a semi formal, baseball themed wedding on a farm. They are definitely sending mixed signals. But of course the fact that it's on a farm could be the reason that they are including the phrase "semi formal" on the invitations - maybe they are afraid that everyone will think it is casual because it's on a farm and this is their way of letting everyone know that isn't the case.

I think at this point I would either call and ask if they really meant semi formal or I would just go with the suit (if I were a guy). But personally I wouldn't wear anything more casual than "semi formal" unless I had clarified with the couple exactly what they were expecting.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I don't think I ever suggested that he might consider wearing shorts. Anywhoo.......just found out that the wedding will also have a Red Sox theme....so now it's a semi-formal baseball themed farm wedding

In that case, he can wear his favorite Red Sox Jersey and Khaki's!