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Just Said Yes June 2021

Wedding Ceremony in the Woods

Courtney, on September 27, 2020 at 12:39 PM Posted in Wedding Attire 2 9

So, my fiancé and are planning our June 2021 wedding, and will be having our ceremony in the woods at an outdoor chapel at the camp I grew up at, mid to late afternoon. The reception is planned to be indoors at a separate reception venue. The struggle I'm running into is getting my mom and grandma to understand my vision. Being outside, it won't be a formal event, but they seem to think people will show up in jeans, and it seems like they cannot get past it being outdoors. We plan to have a wedding website with a section dedicated to attire where we will explain that heels are not a smart decision, but also that the attire will (likely) be either cocktail or semi-formal. I've seen examples where folks literally spell out attire suggestions. My bridesmaids will be in long dresses with a slit and flats (I hate short dresses on bridesmaids) and my FOH and his groomsmen will be in suits. All of this explained, they are still extremely skeptical. I guess my question is if I'm being overzealous, or? Obviously I cannot control what our guests show up in, but hopefully the website will inform them. I don't think cocktail/semi-formal attire is too dressy for an outside ceremony/inside reception. Am I missing something?

9 Comments

Latest activity by Veacheal, on August 25, 2021 at 7:42 AM
  • Yasmine
    Master October 2020
    Yasmine ·
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    No I think as long as you specify the attire then it’ll be fine!
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  • Mrs. Spring
    Master April 2021
    Mrs. Spring ·
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    No, I do not think so. All you can do is list the attire on your website.
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  • Kia
    Devoted September 2021
    Kia ·
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    I am having a similar layout and theme actually. I am getting married at an Arboretum outside of chicago. Long dresses and open toed shoes for the girls and I will be (secretly) barefoot (it’s a joke between and the FH). My ceremony is in the woods by a lake and my reception is inside. My verbiage has been “Save the heels for later. Ceremony will be in a meadow and we will meet you indoors for dinner and dancing” and we have semi formal listed on the invitations.


    No one has had any questions on what that means.
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  • Chelsea
    Savvy November 2021
    Chelsea ·
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    I don't think you're being overzealous. An outdoor wedding can totally be cocktail or semi-formal! I like the idea of an attire section on your website combined with spreading the word on your invitations, by social media, etc. Maybe find some photos of another cocktail or semi-formal outdoor wedding to calm your family's fears and show them it can be done Smiley smile

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  • M
    Super October 2022
    Michele ·
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    There's countless pictures of outdoor weddings online of guests in semiformal attire that are not difficult to locate. The majority will not have an issue and dress appropriately. Unless a certain type of attire is required to enter the venue, it's up to the guests to figure it out themselves. Not appropriate to mention attire anywhere except in that one situation.
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  • J
    Master 0000
    Judith ·
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    That time of day, that would be dressy daywear, tea length or knee length dresses or suits for women, or maxi dresses, and suits for men. But not semiformal evening or prom style, reserved for evening . You and your bridal party dress in the same level of formality or one step up from the guests. So long skirts in luxe fabrics like satin or chiffon is fine for them, while a maxi day dress would be the dressiest for a guest. Tell mom and grandma Easter clothes dressy day wear, not comfy picnic wear, and let them spread the word.
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  • Erin
    Expert May 2021
    Erin ·
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    This!!!! Show the skeptics pics of what you are visualizing !!!
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  • V
    Veacheal ·
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    As a guest would it be appropriate to wear a beautiful pink Chanel evening gown?
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  • V
    Veacheal ·
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    It's okay if I wear a long Chanel evening gown to a wedding in the woods
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