So we’ve got two family weddings coming up in September and I’ve got a little problem. I figure that if you’re a member of the family at a wedding, you should dress so as not to embarrass the newlyweds in front of their in-laws. But what to wear to this first wedding is causing me a fashion crisis.
My niece and her man are getting married lakeside in Northern Vermont in mid-September. This wedding is so remote that it’s nearly in the middle of a forest. In fact, the rock upon which they are getting wed is on the shore of (wait for it) — Forest Lake.
Not really to the point, but interesting anyway:
[Averill is] one of five towns in Vermont which have been discontinued for lack of interest, so to speak. Population levels have dropped to such a point that the towns have been disenfranchised. The town’s affairs are administered by a state-appointed supervisor.
(Found on Virtual Vermont and I’ve edited out all the () stuff, go there if you want to see it.)
The current town population is 8, giving it a density of 0.2 people per square mile. It’s post office is in the next town over.
So, let’s agree it’s remote. And there will be trees, hopefully sporting their fall colors. And scenic vistas from the front porch of the lodge. After all, it’s Vermont.
Besides walking around in the woods, there’s also the possibility of chilly temperatures. And bugs. Which will make life difficult for the couple in their wedding finery if it gets as chilly and buggy as they expect.
So, would you wear panty hose and high heels to a wedding even if it’s in the woods? Or jettison style and go for Birkenstocks and blue jeans? Given the locale I’m leaning toward hand knit socks instead of panty hose. There’s a brand new pair of red Monkey socks that haven’t even been worn yet. And in either situation, I’ve got shawls up the wazoo to add to my ensemble; I just need to decide whether to pack the pink beaded lace or the psychedelic rainbow with fringe.
(And why doesn’t WordPress recognize the word “panty”? It’s giving me those squiggly lines for a misspelling. It also doesn’t recognize WordPress. Or wazoo. Dumb software.)
Where was I? Oh yeah, clothes. This is the first time my sisters and I get to meet the groom’s family (I wonder why), so it’s important that we not appear to be a bunch of whirligig fruitcakes that haven’t fallen far from the family maple. At least at first. Hence my panty hose vs. Monkey socks dilemma.
Nevertheless, I promise to do my fashion best. My overalls will be clean and my fringe will be tidy. My hair will be newly dyed (red) and my nail polish (purple) will not be chipped. My socks will match. Beyond that, there are no guarantees.
Especially by the time the reception rolls around. It’s been a while since I went skinny dipping. And there will be a full moon.
I’m just saying.
Definitely no heels and pantyhose. I would not go the Birkenstock route for the ceremony, either; save those for the reception. For the wedding itself, sturdy shoes or low boots suitable for off-road walking would be best. Definitely go for the handknit socks when you you don the Birks. Matching is good, although not required. Since this is a wedding, blue jeans may not be the best choice, although I would be willing to bet there will be at least one person wearing them. Just don’t let that one person be you — you ARE trying to create a good impression. Go with a pair of khakis or other one-step-up-from-jeans pans. And most of all, have fun!