Thrifty in my 60's

Rosa_Damascena

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81966018#Comment_81966018

I think we have to keep in mind that for the bride in particular, it is exciting. I always think that the hand that bears the diamond will find itself wrapped around a toilet brush before too long.

Those of us who have been around the block a bit can wish destination wedding couples well from our own homes without FOMO.

Topher

Thank you so much for some thought provoking answers. Yes I do have time to go to Chazzas before panicking and buying the cheap (looking) but appropriate wedding wear. I’ve already discussed with the bride (wedding 1 - local)) the trousers - she really doesn’t care, has no colour theme for the wedding, and is well used to mixing well bought charity items with desired expensive stuff herself. She’s wearing navy, so in the light of not treading on toes, I’m trying to avoid navy - which suits me, but can be avoided for this event. I have some nice accessories, so the silk scarf suggestion may even be sorted from what I already have. I think the separates (i.e. not bought as a complete suit) is a good idea as I can see that being worth spending on if I can mix and match good quality items further down the line to extract more value from them. Unfortunately I hadn’t even thought about whether or not trousers would be acceptable at the second abroad wedding. The abroad wedding is something we were thinking of making a bit of a holiday around although the exact location isn’t somewhere I’d be looking to holiday at, being remote and only outstanding as a wedding venue. It’s local (ish) to the groom who is based in that country. The groom has put together a very detailed and informative planning package - accommodation at the venue with alternatives in the area around it including taxi firms phone numbers for guests not staying at the venue, the couple are work colleagues of my husband, and the invitation was issued with warmth and enthusiasm by what seem to be very lovely people - again, not too keen on the shabbily dressed little wife role there, but not intending to swing in the opposite direction. Basically I’m not too keen on going, my husband is very enthusiastic about going, so I’ve kept my thoughts to myself.

Humboldt

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81965404#Comment_81965404

Hi @Topher, I would also suggest renting an outfit for the wedding. There are lots of places that offer this service, including John Lew!s. Just search John Lew!s fashion rental for more information.

Buying second hand is also a great option. Oxf@m also offer secondhand wedding guest outfits via their online shop.

Humboldt

Thanks for the warm welcome @I_Love_comps. I hope that you enjoyed a quiet evening yesterday after completing your extra shifts. These days I wonder how I ever had the energy to meet the needs of a family, run a house and work fulltime.

Have a lovely day everyone, whatever you are doing.

Brie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81966319#Comment_81966319

agree - I'd have to love them dearly and always have wanted to go to that place anyways. Medium friend and the location boring and stupidly expensive - no.

middlewife

Picked this outfit on vinted, size 16, the shoes and belt were new and cost more than the outfit, I was mother of the groom, you're not seeing double, the groom is an identical twin, the registrar was very confused. I'd sell it back if I could be bothered to list it. If you search for "mother of the bride" then put in a budget and very good condition, there's hundreds

Rosa_Damascena

You look fabulous @middlewife !

Rosa_Damascena

I had to share this story which came up on my newsfeed, it's about as precious as you can get: https://apple.news/AKP68WDH4Sjmhjnm6PfdGDg

Presumably the wedding will be ruined if the sky is blue as well??!

boultdj

React away @Brie, I only said ask because some of the weddings I've been to have been theamed or pagan[ no shoes please unless medical]. So I work on better to ask first then see what I can use in my wardrobe.

Brie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81967120#Comment_81967120

Well if someone said "theme" I think it's nice to go along with that as far as possible. But like Rosa's silly wedding couple article - if they haven't told people not to wear a certain colour when they send out the invite then they don't get a say on things. One of my brothers' wedding invite included the suggestion of "walking gear" because as part of the party people were going to trek up a hill to place stones on a cairn.