Weddings

[asterroc]

Why do grooms rent tuxes for the groomsmen that they'll never see nor have to wear again, while brides make bridesmaids buy disgusting pink frilly things that they'll also never wear again?

Comments

[sclerotic-rings.livejournal.com]

The Czarina's going to be a bridesmaid in a wedding this next Saturday, and she's asking the same question.

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

I'm actually a little thankful that my two girlfriends getting married this year didn't pick me to be in the wedding party. One, this Saturday as well, asked me to hand out programs and do a reading, which is really nice of her and lets me be part of the stuff without having to wear a disgusting dress. My boyfriend is a groomsman in May, and recently got his measurements taken.

Hm, I wonder who I'd pick if I were getting married today. See, this is why people just shouldn't get married. :-P

Now wouldn't it be funny if the weddings that the Czarina and I are going to were the same. It's not blue102, is it?

[sclerotic-rings.livejournal.com]

Nope: it's takhisis. However, we could see about having both ceremonies at the same locale..."and hilarity ensues".

[the-xtina.livejournal.com]

I've wondered this, as well!

I'm more for "Wear a dress in $this range of styles" (so yay bridesmaids styles, boo cocktail dress styles, yanno) "and run the colours by my more colour-oriented friend, who'll make sure we don't clash".  I want people to look nice, but matching and ugly doesn't mean nice to me.

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

I've heard of brides picking a dress company and a color, and then telling the bridesmaids they can pick anything in that color (but any style). At least that way the bridesmaids can get a flattering cut, if not color. Cut is often the hardest, as what works on a buxom woman doesn't work on a flat-chested one, let alone a hippy woman. A chorus I was in last year actually had a good chorus dress that looked ok on everyone: "A-frame" style, stretchy, velveteen, with a square neckline. An eentsy nip and tuck to give me an actual waist and it was even flattering.

[freakylynx.livejournal.com]

As I guy, I am completely incapable of answering a question like this :P

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

Not to mention prom dresses/tuxes! Though I lucked out and found one for like $150 that I've actually worn a few times since.

I find it amusing that you made it a point to comment that you were incapable of answering. :)

[iresprite.livejournal.com]

As a guy, I am completely confident in answering.

Women are far more vindictive and power-mad. Oh yes.

[freakylynx.livejournal.com]

Yeah... that's sorta why I felt incapable of answering, they wouldn't like my answer verymuch :P

[iresprite.livejournal.com]

Fair enough... but I also figured it's such a superficial answer that it can't be taken too seriously.

Of course, if zandperl punches me in the nose next time we meet, I'll know I was wrong. :)

[freakylynx.livejournal.com]

To your previous answer, I'd have to add they women also feel the need to collect the oddest bits of crap that they feel capture those 'special moments' and which will most likely end up collecting dust in a closet or the garage :P

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

Being a pack-rat is entirely genetic, without gender dependency. Both my parents have it, and that's why I have it, not b/c I'm female. :-P

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

Hm, I'll just have to see about that. I hear we may both be at a wedding of a mutual friend in June. The perfect place to continue this discussion with fisticuffs! :)

[tacotortoise.livejournal.com]

I know nothing about the ordering/purchasing of bridesmaid gowns, but as far as tuxedos go, there are only a handful of styles and only one basic color. This means that a formalwear shop can have tuxedos on hand in styles and sizes to fit just about any man's need without alteration, and thus rent them out efficiently.

Granted, it is entirely backwards that men should rent tuxedos and women should buy bridesmaid dresses, because tuxedos are in fact eminently reusable. If you're going to be wearing a tuxedo more than twice, and you don't anticipate losing or gaining more than around 15 pounds in between, then buying your own tuxedo is the better option. Of course, if you're a groomsman for multiple weddings, different grooms might opt for different styles of tuxedo, so this is not a hard and fast rule. But tuxedos are not limited in use to weddings.

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

I am no expert in bridesmaid gowns, but I do believe there are infinite styles and colors. I didn't realize there were so few tux styles.

Fancy dresses in general are reusable, but I don't believe bridesmaid dresses (or wedding gowns) typically are. I presume even grooms rent their wedding tuxes too?

blue102 said she spent only $800 on her wedding gown. Considering some people spend that much on their prom dresses, I think she got a pretty good deal.

[tacotortoise.livejournal.com]

Well, different designers will have subtle variations on the height of the lapel points, or the cut of the cuff, but there are only three or four basic styles of tuxes, and you could typically put two designers' versions of the same style next to one another and a casual observer would not tell the difference. There is more room for variation when you get to the accessories -- bow tie, cummerbund/vest. But one other thing that makes tux rental easier is that all these things are modular. You can choose jackets separately from vests. And since the jacket and pants are separate, it's easier to fit a wide range of body types.

I suppose it depends on the nature of the wedding. Often the groom wears tails, which, in today's fashion world, are pretty unreusable unless you're, say, an orchestral conductor. At the last wedding I went to, the groom was a naval lieutenant, and wore his dress uniform. I don't know what I'd do if I got married, but if I were ever in a wedding party, I would probably wear my own tux pants and shirt, and rent a jacket and accessories if I didn't have the particular style. Granted, if I were in a wedding party next month, I'd probably have to rent everything since my current tux doesn't come close to fitting, and I can't afford to buy right now.

[rosefox]

I bought Mara her dress for something like $25 on eBay. She loves it. If it were my size, I would be keeping it; as it is, I may borrow it from her occasionally. It's dark green--a color we both love--and beautiful. We made a point of getting shoes that we'll wear again too. My wedding dress is actually less formal than my prom dress was, and I'm more likely to wear it again. The prom dress wasn't an awful dress or anything, but I rarely go to the sort of ultra-formal black tie event where my prom dress would be appropriate, so I'll probably eventually donate it to a friend or a friend's daughter or a place that rents wedding dresses to brides on budgets (it's a lovely shade of off-white).

sinboy is buying a tux. I think demonsismondo is renting his, which I think is silly unless he's expecting some serious weight gain or loss in the near future. A gentleman should always have a tuxedo handy, just in case.

[sammka.livejournal.com]

I think there's a serious price difference between tuxes and bridesmaids dresses that explains it. Also the design variations.

I'd also mention that there are charities that will take bridesmaid's dresses and give them to underprivileged teenagers who want to go to prom. I can't remember what the charity's name is.