why could it be thought strange to wear your wedding gown at a post wedding reception?
Hello,
You had given me advice before about wearing my wedding gown at a post wedding reception held slightly within our first year anniversary for all the guests who couldn't make the trip abroad for our wedding.
Just to refresh your memory.You had said that there really isn't a "rule" about wearing the gown again or not, but some might think it's strange. You also said that if we show a film of our wedding abroad then it might be better for us not to wear our wedding attire again. I appreciate all your advice.
I'm getting lots of opinions from family and friends about this topic. A topic I didn't think was an issue because until this was brought up by someone else I thought it was obvious and only natural for me to wear my gown again. Many people think I should wear the gown again and many others do think it is strange (comments heard through the grapevine).....why is this? I respect those who think it is strange, but I don't understand why. Am I missing an important reason? Am I being disrespectful towards the sanctity of marriage or ruining the memory of the day? Is it in poor taste? I'm not wearing the same wedding gown with a different husband.....and the party is to celebrate our marriage. I'm not being sarcastic I really am confused.
If I knew the reason why it could be frowned upon for guests to see me in my gown, it would be easier for me to make my decision (which I had already made, but now I'm being persuaded by others). Thank you for your help.
Etiquette Now
WEDDING ETIQUETTE EXPERT
Aug 18, 2008, 7:31 PM
Post #2 of 5
(371 views)
Re: why could it be thought strange to wear your wedding gown at a post wedding reception?
[In reply to]
Dear LLL,
Well, let's just consider why women wear their wedding gowns in the first place. They wear them on their wedding day to "dress up" and to wear attire that is befitting the formality of their event. To wear a "wedding" dress so long after the wedding really could appear strange, as if the woman just wants to dress up. Others may want to see the dress, but why would they want to see a bride in a dress so long after the wedding when she has been wife for so long? It really doesn't make any sense and so appears odd. To be honest, it could appear as if you want to stretch out the "wedding" experience. That wouldn't be positive.
Since there are no set rules about this, there are always questions about it. So, it isn't surprised that some may be confused about it.
Re: why could it be thought strange to wear your wedding gown at a post wedding reception?
[In reply to]
Thank you for clarifying this......Basically I thought to wear my gown again so people could see it because some had asked, but I didn't think others would make a big deal out of it.
In reference to "stretching out" the wedding experience maybe we are doing this unintentionally, but why is that wrong (just because some time has passed)? That is why we are having the reception for all our family and friends who were dearly missed at our wedding and were upset they couldn't attend. I don't know if this makes a difference, but the reason we are having a reception almost a year after our wedding is because we live abroad and weren't able to visit the US sooner. Our guests know this.
I had originally decided to wear my gown halfway through the reception and then change into something else. In light of new opinions I am rethinking my decision. I know that the choice is ultimately mine, but would you suggest I forgo wearing my gown or stick with my original decision and not worry about what each person thinks? Thank you for your advice and patience.
TWQadmin
FORUM EXPERT
/ Moderator
Aug 21, 2008, 11:59 AM
Post #4 of 5
(338 views)
Re: why could it be thought strange to wear your wedding gown at a post wedding reception?
[In reply to]
I think that having the reception so long after the wedding makes it seem to guests as though you want to host a gift giving event (wedding) when this is really more of an anniversary party (non-gift giving event). To wear your wedding gown so long after your wedding just seems silly since you are no longer a bride, you're a wife, and have been married for over a year. This reminds me a bit of my daughter's communion when she was 8. She wanted to wear the communion dress for her birthday party in February which was 9 months later. It seemed silly to all of us and to her friends. Some laughed.
Having a reception after a destination wedding makes more sense.
If you really want to wear the dress, why not host a reception after the wedding? Or, has that ship already sailed? If it has, I would show video, if possible, and photos of the wedding at your post-wedding "reception" to allow your family and friends to see the dress. Top Wedding Questions Forum Moderator - "Write your sorrows in the sand, your blessings in stone".
LLL
Aug 24, 2008, 5:36 AM
Post #5 of 5
(309 views)
Re: why could it be thought strange to wear your wedding gown at a post wedding reception?
[In reply to]
why could it be thought strange to wear your wedding gown at a post wedding reception?
