Women Wedding Suits

What do I wear to officiate a wedding?

I (a woman) have been asked to officiate at my brothers wedding next January. (Yes, I'm legal to do this.) I don't know what to wear, though. I am non-denominational Christian, so I don't have clerical robes or any other "official" outfit or anything. Men typically would wear a suit... but what does a women wear? Part of my issue is it's a formal wedding, and part of it is that it's my brother... I don't want to be too stuffy but I don't think I should wear a strapless dress like the bridesmaids, should I? Isn't that a little too...?? Any ideas? (Oh, and I'm 33, though I look 25, in case that matters.) I'm not a regular pastor and it IS my first wedding!! :)

Public Comments

1. I would think that a very classy, dressy suit type dress with jacket would be appropriate. It will look official and yet still feminine and formal. Perhaps a dark color in a rich satin , silk or other "fancy" material. There are some examples here http://www.womensuits.com/ although personally I don't care for sequins. I noticed your screen name is Pardubice. Do you live in the Czech Republic? If so, mejte se hezky! An American Mom living in Czech
2. any think approiate i would wear a light pink siut (skirt and blouse with a over jacket.) or another color but dont wear white. or even a black dress would work if you knew the colors of there wedding that would help. ask your brothere and soon to be his wife what they want too after all its there wedding
3. We were married by a Marriage Celebrant at a fairly formal wedding and the Celebrant looked very lovely in a pale lilac suit that she wore. I think if you were a very smart suit, skirt and top you would look very chic and elegant. I do agree with you though, I don't think you should wear a strapless dress. You are the official at the wedding and should not look like the bridesmaids.
4. I had a female officaite at my wedding - she wore a powder blue blazer and straight skirt to match my wedding colors. For a formal wedding, a black jacket/blazer with a black straight skirt or dress pants would be best. Something like these: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_4/601-3446994-5317703?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B000E179LS http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_10/601-3446994-5317703?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B000E5VIFM
5. I think definitely formal, but strapless would be inappropriate. There's a website-UniversalMinistries.com, where you can purchase robes & sashes & such, but you don't need them. Perhaps a lady's suit - skirt, blouse & jacket, would work for you, but in ivory? That sounds right to me. Good luck, and I think it's very wonderful that you're doing this for your brother.
6. Since you are an officiant, you must be a minister, so you would wear what a minister or pastor wears, right? A nice, dark suit, very modest. Don't tell me that will be your first wedding? Yikes!
7. I had a woman marry me and my husband and she just wore a very nice sweater and skirt. You might want to ask your brother for some advice or even his wife to be and see what they think would be ok.