Wedding Guest Attire - Outdoor Wedding in January

I would probably wear a long sleeve cocktail dress, and a formal heavy jacket/sweater/shawl that went down to at least my knees.

I would dress for your comfort and warmth. It's a little ridiculous to have an outdoor wedding in the Midwest during a very cold month and then expect your guests to dress very formally. I am a Midwest bride with a March wedding, which can be unpredictable. I have a cold weather (indoor) plan, but will also be having outdoor heaters and everyone can feel free to wear what they are most comfortable in.

View Quoted Comment I do you think it would be appropriate for me to ask the bride if there will be outdoor warmers? I think that would make a huge difference for me. I’m mostly concerned about my legs and feet (and what kind of shoes). We could potentially go back to our hotel after the ceremony and change but might be a little late to the reception

This is insane. I'd probably forget the whole cocktail thing (rude to put a dress code anyways) and strictly dress for warmth. Maybe nice pants and a nice blouse with a winter coat, boots, the whole nine yards.

I had an outdoor wedding and bride's like your cousin give the rest of us a bad name. It's insane to me that people don't consider their guests.

I would wear two pairs of tights (one pair on top of the other) and/or fleece-lined tights. And definitely a warm jacket, gloves, and a hat or ear warmers. Bring a bag in case you want to take off the tights and/or switch shoes at the indoor reception. As long as you just have some clothes and nothing valuable in the bag, I think it would be fine to leave it by your chair so that you don't have to carry it around (or you can leave it in the coat check if there is one).

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I would just wear tights underneath your dress for a little bit of warmth, and warmer shoes. Even with heaters, you'd be cold sitting outside.

Wear whatever cocktail dress you like, but perhaps something that can be worn with tights. Warm, long coat on top, and another pair of tights isn’t a bad idea for the outside portion. And, I’d probably wear a pair of knee high boots outside and pack a pair of pumps or flats for the reception.

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I agree with this. I think you can certainly ask the bride if you want that certainty, but I would still dress warmly.

Hm. Interesting choice to have an outdoor ceremony in January! I would just make sure to wear tights and also nice pashmina scarf - if your legs get too cold and there are no blankets or heaters at the ceremony you can use the scarf as an emergency blanket.

Outdoors ...in Wisconsin....in JANUARY?!!! Yowza, I'd be in a parka, snow boots, mittens and maybe even a ski mask. LOL

I would be "accidentally" late and miss the ceremony. Outdoors in Wisconsin in January is a giant NOPE.

Someone needs to tell this bride that this is a bad idea.

I’d wear something that goes with tights and boots.

I looked up the average temp in WI during that time and it seems like parka and snowboot weather, which I am deeply tempted to wear. How much are guests in the photos for the ceremony anyways? Is dress code for both ceremony and reception or primarily one or the other?

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I agree with this. This bride's request is so out of touch with her guests' comfort that I would wear what I wanted just to survive an outdoor winter ceremony in Wisconsin.

I live in Wisconsin and that is insane! I would totally dress for comfort and warmth. That couple is completely wrong to subject their guests to that kind of weather and then to suggest “cocktail attire” on top of it?!

I went to visit FH one January when he was living in Wisconsin and it was so cold they actually closed the schools. It was something like -30 in the morning. I wonder if there’s a temperature where they’ll move it inside? This is blowing my mind.

Is the reception indoors? Definitely a sweater dress and fleece lined tights and some long boots. Of course a coat and hat and gloves and such. And then if the reception is indoors, I'd pack thin tights in my purse

Would anyone really *notice* if you just showed up to the reception?

Snow suit, boots, ski gloves, hat, and a scarf wrapped around your face. If you are feeling brave open the scarf up enough to peek out during the ceremony. Wisconsin gets booger freezing weather! I've lived (and still do )in surrounding states and there us no way I'd be outside for any sort of ceremony. My sister, who lives in Wisconsin, would describe the weather as "dangerously cold" when her kids would balk at wearing warm layers to walk to the bus stop.

Reception, nice pants and a dressier sweater. I'd have my hat and gloves on until I warmed back up.