What to wear to wedding in Sweden
 

Will be attending a wedding and reception on the island of Gotland in Sweden in mid-June. What attire is appropriate for ladies at such events? (Will be touring Sweden/Norway before and after and want to pack the minimum.)

Thanks.

I'm not sure I'll be much help but at least it'll top your post....How about a pretty skirt with a blouse and some sandals. Would pick something thin and easy to pack. We were on Gotland last year and while we didn't attend any weddings, it was not an overly formal atmosphere.

Perhaps you could find someone who is Swedish to ask? It would help to know if it is an afternoon or evening wedding, and whether it will be in a church. I have been caught off-guard and underdressed at "occasions" (banquets, confirmation) in Norway, even in a small town. I don't know, however, if dress customs are similar in Sweden.

My suggestion would be to go straight to the source: Ask the person who invited you.

There are so many variables about weddings these days, from formal to very informal, that only the people who are organizing the wedding - particularly if it's a wedding and a reception - can really know what the appropriate attire will be.

(Thinking about the above, though, it occurred to me that often the invitations will give some indication of the kind of attire expected. But if not, ask!)

The wedding in Sweden is late afternoon. The family inviting me is American, the groom is Swedish, so the invitor is not much help. The wedding is in a church.

Do it in a nice, informal and leisure way. All Scandinavia is very bright in June (sundown between 9:30 and never), and so are the Scandinavian's minds. T-shirt only or lousy jeans will probably not be the most appropriate thing. Neither will grand galla (except if the invitation demands it).
Welcome to Sweden. Hopefully also Norway.
Bjorn, Oslo

Might I point you to an excellent thread that may just have the answer?

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34790830

O.K. seriously...I'd check the invitation itself...or ask the person who invited you...or at least ask someone else who might be attending the wedding. You wouldn't want to be overdressed either now would you?

I went to a wedding in Sweden a few years ago, and people were dressed quite formally; wuits/ties for the men, dresses, skirts for the ladies. Some ladies wore hats (but this could be because there were quite a few English people there). This was a summer wedding too, in a beach town. Don't know your style, but I would pack a dress that doesn't crease; Diane von Furstenberg would be perfect, or a less expensive version of this from Banana Republic. Have a jacket, cardigan or pashmina-type shawl in case you get cold.
And don't wear white or black.

suits/ties

Blond wig. ((b))

clogs ?

http://longstrom.com/swedish_costumes.htm

I think that a skirt and blouse would be a bit informal.
You can't go wrong with a nice summery dress and if you find a pretty summer hat to go with it, why not?

After reading all the posts, again please ask those that invited you. Just don't wear black as it would be considered offensive and bad luck to the couple. I learned that the hard way! Good Luck!

Hollyfrances--

How did you learn the hard way that black is inappropriate?

My wife and I went to a marriage in Sweden a few years back. She wore a wedding dress. I guess this was most appropiate, since she was the bride.

The other girls in the wedding wore a variations of skirts and blouses. Nothing formal was worn, including myself.

It's the people-not the clothes.

Blackduff

You might want to check with the bride and groom. I went to a wedding in Sweden and wore a ballroom gown (purple satin with a gold embroidered shawl) and looked like everyone else. Granted, it was a Saturday night wedding. I would guess elegant, though.

Sidenote: I just got home from a wedding where I CAUGHT THE BOUQUET!!!!

Agree with others about asking those who invited you, but if I could not get the info, I think I'd pack a silky dress, not black or white, and pashmina shawl or soft jacket that goes with the dress.

I am attending my son's wedding in Sweden in August. I am SOOOO glad I read these posts. I had bought a black and silver gown to wear. Thanks for the info.

Hi Julies-
I learned the hard way...during the occasion there were a few strange looks cast my way. Swedes being infinitely polite said nothing of course. However a few weeks after the wedding at a casual coffee break, there were comments directed to me that 'one would never wear black to a swedish wedding' by family members of the wedding party

and anyway girlsjwhf, black in summer is not that good. I would go for something floral or pastel-coloured, in floaty chiffon.
Have a great time at your sons wedding!

girsljwhf--

I'm going to my son's wedding in Lithuania July 1. I had a terrible time deciding what to wear!! Yesterday I returned an armful of dresses. I finally got practical and decided to go for easy packing since after we get to Europe we'll be on a budget flight with a 20 kilo luggage limit. I finally ended up with a fancy idirescent evening blouse in a blue/gold with a dressy looking tea length black skirt. I've got nice beaded sandals with heels to complete it. All can be scrunced up fairly compactly and won't wrinkle. Hope I'm ok. My daughter tells me that if I chose the wrong thing, the Lithuanians can just assume that I didn't understand what is correct attire.