[Jo Nuvark]

When I attend a wedding I’m struck by how out of
character everyone is. Tuxes are out of decade
(century), the dresses make the bridal party look
uncomfortable, while the ceremony and the flowers
seem to be the only elements that are genuine. What
is refreshing is they are being themselves (not in
an “Animal House” way), but in a way that I believe
pleases God. Watching this video gave me joy and
made me cryle (smiling with tears).

[AnAmericanMother]

All I can tell you is that 32 years ago we decided not to have morning dress because we thought it looked stiff and out of date . . . so we wound up with the boys in PEACH TUXEDOS with contrasting ruffles, platform shoes, and enormous contrasting bouttonieres, which all things considered looks far worse three decades later than morning dress (which never changes). My kids laugh themselves silly at our wedding album, and we look at each other and kind of smile sheepishly. At least I wore my mom's wedding dress, and IT looked just fine!

Americans are not very formal people and many have completely forgotten how to dress (look how everybody's always grousing about people showing up at Mass in sweat suits or shorts). If you never even put on a suit in your ordinary life, of COURSE you're going to look stiff in a tux, and ladies whose regular dress is a jeans skirt and Tshirt are going to be uncomfortable in a formal gown.

It may just mean that folks need to get used to dressing up a little bit so that getting married won't be such a shock to their systems.

On the other hand, I agree that most bridesmaid's dresses (AND mother-of-the-bride dresses) are absolutely AWFUL and something should be done about THAT.