What would you wear?

[luvnwdwgal]

We have a wedding vow renewal/reception in May for a young couple who couldn’t have their reception back in 2020 due to Covid. They are having it at their farm in a barn. What would you wear? I was thinking casual like black leggings/nothing fancy for a top and simple everyday shoes. Or do you think I should dress up more?

 

[tcufrog]

What about a sundress? Ask the bride what she would consider appropriate attire.

 

[ncc1701]

Sound good to me. Unless of course the invitation says something different regarding attire.

 

[anniemae]

I would probably dress up a little bit more. Maybe a casual dress with wedges or sandals. Nothing too formal. I am surprised they didn't specify how to dress. A wedding/vow renewal usually means dressy, but a barn can mean casual. Do you know anyone else attending? If so, ask what they are wearing.

 

[AustinTink]

Around here, any event on a farm in a barn calls for a sundress and cowboy boots. I'm wearing that combo to an outdoor event next week.

 

[Travel60]

The black leggings might be cute paired with a really nice longer top....flowy with a little bling, and cute wedges.

 

[FreeTime]

No leggings, way too casual.

 

[Aurora79]

May to me says an understated spring dress or skirt/blouse combo (or slacks if you don’t like dresses).

I’m a black leggings gal all the way, but not to something like this. And I’m old fashioned, I know, but I won’t wear black to a wedding unless it’s a formal evening one “black tie” sort of event.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I think a casual dress or other outfit is better. Not too dressy. I would not wear leggings to this.

 

[barkley]

kind of depends on the kind of barn set up. around here it could vary greatly from a true barn (stalls, dirt floor, as needed lighting, very rustic and chilly depending on the weather in may to a barn in name only with concrete (or lvp) floors, mood lighting and a whole 'venue' kind of vibe). if it was the former i wouldn't be at all uncomfortable wearing leggings along with a nice top, the latter i would probably dress up more. in either case i would want to know what the flooring/walk to the barn is like so i could have appropriate shoes (i live rural and you wouldn't want to wear nice shoes on the pathways to our various outbuildings b/c the gravel would shred the sides and bottoms, some neighbors have old wood flooring in areas of barns that would snag and catch a heel).

 

[Alicefan]

The black leggings might be cute paired with a really nice longer top....flowy with a little bling, and cute wedges.

That's where my mind went. Like a prairie type long shirt/short dress and maybe sandals.

 

[monsterkitty]

We got married on a ranch. We asked guests not to dress up and wear what they wanted. Most dressed casual, women in sundress or skirts, men in khakis or shorts, children in shorts. Those who dressed up more changed for the reception. If I could have gotten away with wearing jeans or leggings instead of a wedding dress, I would have in a heartbeat!

DH's aunt got married in a barn and requested everyone wear comfortable clothes as well.

Contact the couple and ask what they prefer.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I feel like if they wanted everyone to be super casual, they would’ve said so on the invitation.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I would dress up more...I like most of the PPs suggestions...

 

[antmaril]

I agree with the others who suggest dressing up a little more.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Barns don't mean casual just because they are a barn. It's just a type of theme for a wedding/reception. We've been to multiple fancy weddings in barns. Even what other people are suggesting as far as sundresses and the like would be very out of place at the barn weddings I've been to..you would have been underdressed, normal nicer wedding attire was what you wore.

Leggings to me scream way too casual for a wedding reception even one occurring quite late. That said sometimes it comes down to knowing the couple. It's at their farm in their barn but are they the sort of very casual folks and the barn is not really going to be filled with decor and heeled shoes would be impractical due to the farm's condition? Or are they the type where they want a bit more dressing up and the barn is outfitted to be a proper-enough venue to house a wedding reception?

Best thing to do is ask. Most often if casual is their preference it is usually stated (especially when leggings come into the picture and most especially if the leggings won't be dressed up with a flowing/tunic style nicer top).

 

[Wendy31]

For a May wedding/vow renewal reception in a barn, I’d probably wear a sundress (or a sleeveless sheath-type dress) & nice sandals w/ a wedged heel.

If it’s cooler, I’d pair my dress w/ a matching lightweight cardigan.

However, that said, there are other things to consider as well - -

Is the event scheduled for daytime or in the evening - for an evening event, I might go a little dressier.

Do you know the couple well? Are they the more casual type?

What did the invitation look like? Was it more formal or more casual in theme?

Where is the event? Like another poster mentioned, in some parts of the country, a wedding reception in a barn would mean a sundress & cowboy boots.

Just because the reception is in a barn doesn’t automatically make it casual.

I’ve been to a wedding w/ an evening reception in a barn which was very casual - men (even the groom & groomsmen) wore jeans & women wore jeans & slacks - it was in the late fall & ended up being quite unseasonably cool.

However, I’ve also been to a wedding w/ an afternoon reception in a barn which was much more formal - men wore slacks, & the women wore dresses.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

You need to dress up more than that. Barn doesn’t mean every day wear.

I’d do a dress with a wedge or cowboy boot. Throw on a jean jacket if you want to keep it a little bit casual.

 

[focusondisney]

I think you really need to check with the wedding couple & find out what type of affair it is. I was my sister’s MOH for her outdoor wedding. We had on tea length dresses for the ceremony, groom & his attendant had dress pants & collared shirts, guests were in shorts & teeshirts. After the ceremony, we also changed into shorts & casual shirts. That’s what the bride & groom wanted, a picnic atmosphere, not a formal wedding. You really need to find out what the couple wants, not what the internet says.

 

[LadyBeBop]

There are a number of nice wedding venues that were originally barns. Some of them are actually named for barns. When I was growing up (Cincinnati area) a prime party/prom/wedding venue was just known as The Barn.