I remember an old post about proper attire for different performance times but my archive search didn't find it. I remember it was a Joe S. rant (a good one). I searched the WWW for guidlines and only found those for patrons, or school kids. So I'd like this group's learned opinion.
Here's the scenario. My sister is getting married at 11:00 AM. The ceremony will be outdoors or in an old house converted to a museum (same locale) My brother (bass trombone) and I are playing for her ceremony. What should we wear? I own a tux, my brother does not (an inverse correlation with playing ability ). We both have dark suits. My sister is thinking we should wear tuxes, and matching ones to boot. I'd rather not have to rent a tux as I already own one, and I'm not convinced that it would even be appropriate for us to wear one.
I don't know what position we will be perfoming from relative to the ceremony. My brother was figuring if we are up front, than fancier, if in the back less fancy.
Thanks for your help!
Philip "I'd better get crackin' on the wedding music" Jensen
Miraphone Norwegian Star Eb King 4V BBb ~1913 Holton 4V Eb 1920 Holton 3V Eb 1930
This situation has a wrinkle that overrides common or accepted practice. Your sister is the bride. Women store up a ton of dreams about how they want things on their wedding day. Playing is, I assume, a gift from you and your brother to her. If she wants you guys to wear swim fins & Tubenet thongs, you should do it.
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Joe Baker, who thinks that, otherwise, a dark suit would be appropriate indoors, dark or light suit outdoors.
typically daytime weddings are more semi-formal. I would think nice suits would be fine. But then again I'm about to get married in a couple months and I know for a fact that you better do what ever the bride wants.
As is implied or explicitly stated above, wear WHATEVER the bride wants. Life will be infinitely better if you follow that one, simple piece of advice.
This is one of the few times that Politics over-rides Logic.
Like everyone else has stated, do what the bride wants. Especially if you are good friends with the groom.
Seeing as weddings are often exceptions to the rule when it comes to many things, a Tuxedo can be appropriate at this time.
I have been at noon time weddings wearing tails. The groom "picked out" the outfits, even though we know it was under direction of the "boss".
A hundred bucks or so on you and your brothers part isn't too much to insure that your sister is at least happy with your participation in the wedding. Plus, if you appear in any wedding photos, this becomes even more important to look good for posperity's sake.
Let me take this one step further since this is a family affair. The bride comes first but if she doesn't have strong feelings go to the next "in charge", the bride's mother. She might have some influence over you in the future.
Normal wrote:Let me take this one step further since this is a family affair. The bride comes first but if she doesn't have strong feelings go to the next "in charge", the bride's mother. She might have some influence over you in the future.
When I took wedding photos as a side gig during college, I came to regard the bride's mother as the one person in charge of everything. I treated her with fear and respect, and sometimes fear and loathing. No bride was as demanding as her mother in my experience.
Except for my wife, but then we were all the way grown up when we got married.
By the way, Ray (since you are reading this thread), I'll be in San Antonio next week for a meeting. T'seat!
Rick "salivating in anticipation of the Blanco Cafe" Denney
). We both have dark suits. My sister is thinking we should wear tuxes, and matching ones to boot. I'd rather not have to rent a tux as I already own one, and I'm not convinced that it would even be appropriate for us to wear one. 
