What to wear to a Barn Wedding? - YouLookFab Forum

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What to wear to a Barn Wedding?

Colette

Veteran

Today I received the invitation to a wedding I've been shopping for and to my surprise the reception is in a barn. It seems to be a barn venue created on a farm to host weddings and such but now my dresses don't seem appropriate. The ceremony is on a Friday, late afternoon in church and cocktails, dinner and dancing follow at the barn. I always dress up dressy for weddings but that doesn't seem appropriate when we will be eating dinner seated on wood benches. Any ideas how I dress for this?

All suggestions are appreciated!

ETA Website for the venue: http://www.barnes-place.com/

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from Greenjeans

JAileen

Veteran

Are you familiar with the venue? It sounds like boots might be called for, but if they're going to have dancing, then maybe the barn has a nice floor. Can you look it up? If it's available for rentals they must have a website.

Colette

Veteran

I'm not familiar with the venue and we will be traveling to Iowa from Illinois. Their website: http://www.barnes-place.com/

Diana

Veteran

I wouldn't wear a long dress (which might drag in the dirt or get caught on things) and I wouldn't wear very tall or spiky heels that could get stuck or be difficult to walk in on uneven ground but other than that I think standard wedding attire (non black tie) would be fine. Like outdoor wedding attire. Since the ceremony is in a church, I don't think they would expect super casual dress.

ETA: I just looked at the website and it looks similar to where I got married. Ours was outdoors but a similar vibe. Most women wore garden party type dresses and some of the older women wore Chanel-ish suits. I'd say a step below cocktail in terms of formality.

JAileen

Veteran

The barn is much nicer than I imagined. What Diana said.

Zibbets

Veteran

Fun! I see padded folding chairs and smooth wood or fabric-covered benches. I think a dressy dress would be perfect and the barn floor looks very heel-friendly.

A friend of mine owns a similar venue and almost all the time people dress to the nines for receptions there.

cobaltblue

Veteran

I've been to a wedding reception at this kind of barn, and I think a dressy dress will still be perfect. Don't go ultra-formal, but typical wedding attire would be fine. You might consider back-up shoes for walking outside (not stilettos) in case the parking lot is gravel.

Murph11

Veteran

The venue is lovely and barn-like... Not a barn. Dressy is still appropriate for a church wedding and rustic-glam reception. Have a wonderful time and dance the night away!

El Cee

Veteran

I think a fancy cocktail dress would be perfectly appropriate for this venue and type of event. You may just want to pair it with dressy flats rather than pumps if part of the festivities are outdoors… or at least have a pair of flats in your car to change into for the reception. (I totally trashed my heels at my own outdoor wedding. It was a fun day, so I didn't mine.)

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think this venue looks very upscale so "dressy" is in perfect order. High heels could be a little more challenging if the parking lots are not paved, but otherwise the actual "barn" looks very nice with smooth polished floors and padded seats.

Anonymous

A cotton shift dress and wedge/block heel sandals and clutch. I don't know about the a/c situation, but I'd also bring some sort of topper.
Looks like a very nice venue!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm with Murph11. Still dressy despite the "barn" venue.

Muffin

Veteran

What a neat venue! The only thing that give me pause are the bench seats versus chairs. It would be awkward to ask the bride or groom about which will be used but I would consider calling the venue to find out. Bench seats would definitely effect my choice- everyone wants to sit on an end and there is no elegant way of getting in or out (unless you just stay put)- so nothing fitted that makes sitting even more awkward.

Marina

In Brazil having a weeding in some open or rustic place is not so unusual. In this kind of situation we usually use semi-formal attire instead of real black tie unless the invitation says different (but some extra sophistication added by accessories or small details are perfectly ok). Shoes should still be classy but exchange high fine heels by lower and thicker options are also good idea (the barn can have a nice floor, but there will probably be some areas with natural floor as well). What does the invitation say about dress code in this case? Any hint?

Greenjeans

Veteran

Ooh, what a fun excuse to browse the Sundance catalog. http://www.sundancecatalog.com.....do?nType=1

And, of course, Anthropologie.