Wedding Attire Question

Son - button down shirt and tan or navy pants
Husband - sport coat and slacks
You - dress or nice skirt and blouse

I would buy separate pieces for you all and not "suits" so you can wear them again. Formal wear for most people isn't used much.

For your son - I would go with a chino (cotton) blazer in either khaki or navy. He can wear it later with slacks or jeans. He can also layer it over a hoodie and wear it casually. I don't believe I have seen a denim blazer since the 70s and I am ok with that.

For DH, probably a jacket and slacks are ok, but you could always call the mother of the bride or one of the bride's siblings (if she has any) and ask. It is likely to be unhelpful to call the groom as he will likely say either 1 - anything is fine or 2 - let me check with my fiancee.

I think you got some good answers to perhaps wait for the invite to see how formal it will be or take your cues from the bridesmaid dress. This may be a regional thing but a denim blazer sounds ghastly (sorry!). I don't imagine that he would get much wear out of that. For a boy that age no matter where you live, you really can't go wrong with a simple navy blue blazer over a simple dress shirt with khakis. My boys really like to dress up (and we go to an unfortunate number of funerals) so I have an assortment of suits of all sizes and colors. When my oldest was that age, we went to an October wedding and he wore a dark navy-blue suit with a pumpkin-colored shirt and coordinating tie. I never would have picked that color combo but he looked fantastic. I would think that for your husband a sport coat with pants and a dress shirt and tie would be fine for most weddings except the most formal. For you, treat yourself to a pretty, flattering dress in a fall color. If you get something that's not trendy (a simple sheath) then it won't go out of style and you'll have something for the next dress up party you go to.

I'd have to ask about what to wear (and what a child should wear).
A barn wedding might be pretty casual, or dress up western or a bit more dressy.
Heels probably are not a good idea but cowboy boots might be good depending on what the dress code will be.
If it's going to be hot, you're going to be miserable and sweating a lot if you wear something heavy (like a jacket) - and barns are not air conditioned.

I read about a super causal wedding once where people had to hike several miles to a secluded homestead cabin where the wedding was being held.
One guest had hair that was in a braid down to her knees.
One of the wedding gifts was a pair of goats.
During the reception (people were sitting on logs to eat) this guest was sitting and eating when the person she was talking to told her she might want to do something 'about that'.
And THAT'S when she noticed that one of the goats had decided to nibble on the end of her braid and before anyone knew it more than 3 feet of her hair was down the goats throat.
She pulled it out - it was disgusting and coated with goat stomach gastric juices - she managed to wash it out as best she could in the lake.

http://www.barnweddingcentral.com/what-to-wear-to-a-barn-...

I would suggest a dress like this would work for just about any wedding short of black tie:
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/i-love-your-dress-in...

With shoes and jewelry to dress up or down (sandals, cardigan, and "fun" jewelry for more casual, heels, nice wrap, and pearls or sparkle for more formal). For your husband, slacks and a sport coat are nearly always acceptable for male guests, particularly at a barn, even with Western-chic.

For you son, are you talking about this:
http://www.lyst.com/clothing/armani-collezioni-blue-stret...

Or this:
http://www.urbanwesternwear.com/p/denim-jean-jacket-with-...

I think the second one could be too casual if they are going for a more formal look. A button down shirt and khakis would be fine.

I grew up in a flower shop, so I have been to a LOT of weddings. As long as you don't show up in something that is waaaaay to the extreme, like a tee shirt and cut-offs for a formal event or a long beaded evening gown in a field, you will be fine!

Just because the wedding is in a barn doesn't mean it will be country or western themed. It could be very elegant. I would definitely ask what type of attire. Maybe you can get a cue from your daughter's dress and shoes?

Just off the top of my head for your husband I would say sport jacket, tie and trousers. For you I would suggest a pretty knee length dress, flattish shoes, so you can walk around the great outdoors and little button down sweater in case it gets cold. For your son, something classic like a navy or tan jacket, white shirt, neck tie or bow tie and the opposite pants and loafers or converse tennies.

Don't forget outfits for the rehearsal dinner!!

"Country theme" could mean country as in jeans and boots, or country as in Grand Old Opry showpiece gowns -- very different styles, especially for women.

I would not do anything until you talk to the bride; if your child is in the wedding you sure know the bride well enough to ask the question! You don't want to assume "barn" equals jeans and boots for your husband and a denim skirt for you etc. -- that may not be what the bride has in mind at all. You won't know unless you ask.

Also, I tend to err on the side of being a tad more formal than the setting; if you're underdressed and too informal, that feels awkward much more than if you're a bit overdressed, no matter what the occasion. (To me, at least!)

I agree with others that a denim blazer may be the wrong choice for a boy of 11. Unless HE loves the idea and swears he would wear it other places, I would not go with that. A navy blazer can be used again and again and may actually be cheaper than a denim one. I can't see a boy that age being enthusiastic about a denim blazer, to be honest - kids see denim as jeans material and I don't know that he'd actually wear it again beyond this wedding.

Does the invite say what the dress is? If not, call and ask. It sounds like a dressy casual affair, so I'd see what you already have before spending extra money for no reason.

If I were a kid I would be shocked and appalled at having a denim blazer. A jean jacket is the most that should be worn over clothes and that's for outdoor wear.

Put a white shirt on him and new pressed jeans with a leather belt, boots, and a tie if he will wear one. You might even do a western shirt in colors.

If he wants to fit in more ask the bride if the groomsmen are wearing hats to the reception. If they're not then don't go there either.

If you want to fit in then ask the bride or the groom so he can ask the bride. With mason jar lighting and stuff you're going to be very casual. I imagine most guests will be in jeans and western shirts and boots.

Go to Old Navy online.
Then search for "boy shirt and tie sets."
My son has one. And he can also just wear the shirt without the tie. Its a handy combo.
These are cute for boys
Casual but nice.
And with jeans or khakis.
Just as an idea.

Not a denim blazer. Just my opinion.

Sport Coat for your Husband.

You: a nice dress, but not "prom" looking of course. Here is a site that has nice dresses that you might like even if I don't know you:
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses#?sort=ranking
These dresses are nice but casual nice. Not "evening" dress types. Depending what you pick. And it is nice for everyday nice wear, too. And you can wear a "shrug" with it too, or a cute shawl or wrap if it is colder.
I would wear a knee length dress. Not a long dress.

Or, for you, if you go to Macy's, they have Personal Shoppers that are free. And the help you look for what you need.

I guess the wedding invitation did not state a "dress" code???
Some do.
Can you just call them and ask what the dress code is?

Call and check, but it sounds like either dressy casual or Western attire would be appropriate -- a sport coat and jeans or khakis for your husband and maybe a simple dress for you, or a top and skirt in a Western theme. You would probably want to be comfortable since it's a barn wedding...

Hi L.,

North Carolina in October could be cold - especially if it is on the western side near the mountains. Like frozen type cold.

I am not sure why you feel a need to take care of clothes for something in October in March (okay nearly April) - but if you must than find out from the hosts of the wedding what the dress will be on the invitation.

You could buy one of the little boy "suits" that are dress shirt, tie, pants and vest - $19.99 for the whole thing at Burlington. However, they are for spring and very light weight material. You could also do pants, a dress shirt and a blazer. I just bought my 7 year old a blazer, pants and dress shirt at Burlington for less than $40 all together. It is grey pants, blue blazer and yellow dress shirt (his choice). The expensive part was the dress shoes (payless).

For your husband, I would guess that dress pants, dress shirt possible tie and sport coat will be okay unless the invite reads black tie or black tie optional. In which case he needs a tux or a dark (black or navy) suit.

You may want a long skirt with some layering for your top. Again, depends on where the wedding is located.

Good luck!

We attended an outdoor wedding last summer on a farm. I wore a sundress, sandals and I put a jean jacket on when it cooled off in the evening. My husband and sons all wore khaki's with button down shirts. A few people were a bit more dressed up, but there were lots of people in jeans too.

For most of the weddings we go to, I usually wear a dress or skirt. I don't think too much about it, just try to look nice. My husband and boys usually wear a button down shirt and slacks.

I've never seen a denim blazer. That doesn't sound like anything I would ever buy for my sons, but I don't really know. I really think just a nice dress shirt would be enough.

Weddingchicks.com

Check out the wedding titled San Diego Shabby Chic Wedding.

Notice the men in the wedding look great.

Khaki pants, oxford shirts tucked in, bow ties and cool vests.

This is what we see here in Austin at the weddings held out of doors. Notice the pants are fitted. Some wear boots, New Converse tennis shoes, or nice shoes.

Your husband and son would both look great dressed like this.

The denim blazer may be to springy.

On the 11 year old I would do maybe a twill blazer in navy, khaki twill slacks, a understated striped cotton dress shirt with a plaid bow tie then dress it down with a pair of vans or converse.

On you do a dress that compliments your body type. Navy is a great color. Not as formal as black but dressy enough. Pick something simple so you can wear it again and just accessorize. With the right shoe or clutch it can be perfect.

For the hubby, twill slacks with a nice dress shirt and a cashmere sweater over it can also look really nice with a pair of loafers (not the penny ones).

David Tutera did a barn wedding in Texas. It was the most beautiful wedding I have ever seen. However, I cannot remember what the guests wore. If you can find that episode it would be great.

If you can find it online, it is My Fair Wedding, Nicki, The Texas Bride on WE TV. You might be able to find the episode. He admits it was his favorite and mine. I think you can dress your family based on that episode.
However, I cannot remember what guests wore. If they were wearing overalls, don't think I am crazy, just can't remember. Hope that shelprs. If nothing else, you will enjoy the show. The bride was an absolute doll.