Wedding Blog
The first question every girl who is invited to the wedding has asked me about the festivities is “what do I wear?” I usually tell them that Mr. Corn and I will be dressed to the 9’s but that everyone else is encouraged to dress ‘garden casual’. The second question everyone asks is “what the heck is ‘garden casual’”? To clarify… I’m not really sure, myself. But I tell them to base their decision off of these facts: We will be eating lobster… lobster is messy… therefore don’t wear anything that you can’t just throw in the wash.
If you were a guy, I would suggest wearing khakis and a collared shirt… I might even try to convince you to wear madras Bermuda shorts and a blazer. 
Other things to consider…Newport is in New England which is known for its crazy-go-nuts weather. I have been to a wedding in August when it is 55 degrees, misty out and clammy, and a party in October when it is 80 degrees and sweltering. That said, I think the usual high/low for the area for the beginning of September is 75/67. The wedding is on the water, so there is the possibility of a chilly breeze in the evening regardless of how hot it may or may not be during the day.
So basically, assuming it is a nice day, I suggest wearing a sundress and comfortable shoes that don’t have spiky heels (since we will be on the grass) and bringing a medium weight sweater/jacket in case you get cold in the evening.
What have you been telling your guests regarding attire?
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We told our guests that my hubby was wearing a dark suit. That helped set the tone (i.e. no one showed up in tux). Also our STDs and invites (whimisical with polka dots) helped convey the fun, funky feeling we were going for.
I know the feeling. Everyone asked us also. We had our wedding and reception in our backyard, catered by a local bbq joint (Redbones for those from Boston). It was delicious, but everyone wanted to know what to wear. I said my only rule was that they had to wear clothes! 
garden casual… lol… I laugh because for my engagement party my mom was telling everyone to dress desert casual!
Who knew there were regional casual attire!
We have a similar problem with ladies wearing heels - the ceremony will be at the top of a grassy hill, and spiky heels would be a serious problem (and probably get the shoes super dirty too). We put a note about that on our website, and are trying to spread the word, but are also going to provide flip flops for those who might need them.
I’ve been saying summer semi-formal, shirts and ties for men, summer dresses for women.
Where are those fantastic shorts from?? We are having a clambake… perfect!
I just typed this up for an inset in our invitations:
“One of the reasons we decided to get married in Hawaii is the relaxed atmosphere, and we feel that our guests will be most comfortable in ‘Resort Wear.’ However, the wedding will be held at an elevation of about 2,000 ft, and the island breezes can be strong off of the Kohala Coast, bringing a light jacket or sweater to wear in the evening may be advisable. The ceremony and cocktail hour will be held on a lawn, please
choose your footwear appropriately.”
In June we attended a wedding which said “Hawaiian shirts and shorts” on the invitation, but when I asked the bride if she really meant this, she said she was thinking more “chic sundress.” So when we arrived, the men were all in Hawaiian shirts and shorts, and the women in sundresses. Except for the women who did not think to call the bride and ask if she really meant it. They were underdressed and annoyed about it!
I always prefer to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. For daytime events-it’ll always be a colorful knee length dress of some sort–weather appropriate. For evening–it’ll be a cocktail dress (just not bright red or white).
We’re having a tiny wedding here (in Seattle) prior to our “big” wedding in Minneapolis. For the wedding here, we’ve said that business casual is fine (almost everyone there is a coworker or SO of a coworker, and everyone at our company understands “business casual”) - my fiance is wearing a dress shirt, slacks, and a tie. For the big wedding, we’ve told people that suits aren’t necessary unless they already own them. We’re very casual people.
Dani - Redbones….yum. If we had gone the BBQ route, we definitely would have had them cater!!
Claire - I got the photo off of Google and now I can’t find it…but if I do, I will let you know.
Jen - That’s the first thing I noticed as well…but after fruitlessly looking for a picture for 20 minutes (instead of working) I just went with it
Correction…Claire - you can find really great embroidered bermuda shorts for guys on Nantuketreds.com (http://www.nantucketreds.com/mens/shorts/embroidered.html)
I think Vineyard Vines has them too…www.vineyardvines.com
The shrimp antennae seem to be pinching this gentleman’s nether-regions…sorry, I’m bored at work. and feeling immature today.
I am getting married in a garden and having a mostly indoor reception…I decided to say on our website to wear whatever you feel comfortable wearing, but if you need guidance dressy casual. I also said you might want to avoid spike heels cause of the grass.
We never said anything, but when people would email to ask outright I’d tell them either “informal” or “semi-casual” according to my mood at the time, then include links to a bunch of websites giving conflicting definitions of what “informal” and “semi-casual” mean. On the website, I mentioned some tourist sites that were within walking distance of the venue, and said “Sensible shoes are welcome at the wedding for this very reason—well, that and the fact that fancy high heels will only serve to aerate the lawn.”
And you know what? Left to their own devices, everyone wore prefectly appropriate clothes.
Garden Casual , Yachting Attire and Club Dress, are all code for simply …Preppy
For the gents its navy or seersucker
blazers and a tie in bright color.
I prefer a bow tie with a boater my self.
As for the slacks: the classic kaki, madres patchwork plaids, breton reds or even lime green, with or with out the embroidered lobsters or sail boats.
My most recant groom wore a scull and crossbones on his Bermudas shorts! He was simply darling.
For the Gals Its smart sun dress, never in white,
red white and blue or the quintessential pink and green of Lilly Pulitzer!
I went to a wedding in Hyannis one spring and on the bottom of the invite it read:
“ Ladies requested to wear hats”
I wore the largest one I could find!!!
Hahaha - Jen & Miss Corn, that’s exactly where my eye wandered too! What a naughty crab!
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Mrs. Corn, Newport, RI
Age and Occupation in '07: 31, HR for public accounting firm
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Consultant for public accounting firm
Engagement Date: October 7, 2006
Wedding Date: September, 2007
Blogging Since: June 1, 2007
Venue: North Lawn of Fort Adams State Park
About Me: I am a lazy scrapbooker who loves the instant gratification of making cards and I am very easily distracted by all things shiny. In honor of my childhood nights spent hibachi BBQing on the beach with my family, we are hosting a traditional New England Clambake for our reception.
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