Another what to wear (wedding question)

[Crankin]

OK, my son who got married in September is having a "real" wedding in June. The whole thing seems incredibly stupid to me; he is paying for it, so I just keep my mouth shut. The wedding is at 6 PM on a Friday, and will be hot appetizers and drinks at a country club outside of Philly. Her dress is a very simple strapless dress that looks like it's from J Crew (I don't really know this). Anyway, I just talked to her mom and she already bought a dress... it's long and champagne colored, sort of simple and form fitting. I was not thinking of buying a real "mother" type dress. It is just not me. I was thinking of getting a really nice cocktail type of dress that I could wear again. But, if everyone is wearing long, than I guess I should. I don't know what to do. The only place I could find long, wedding appropriate dresses in petite sizes is J Crew. And those were more for bridesmaids, but they looked like the type of dress I would wear, at least. I looked at some Ann Taylor dresses, but they seemed ugly and not formal enough.
Ugh. I hate to buy a long dress I won't wear again. My son is wearing his dress uniform and he decided that my other son and DH should wear nice suits and not tuxes.
My daughter in law's family has no $, but seem to be used to these types of weddings (her parents are divorced). My family tends to have small, untraditional, but very nice weddings. I don't want to make a thing out of this. I really need suggestions as to what would be appropriate and where I could find something in petite sizes.

[Biciclista]

are the bridesmaids wearing long dresses?
I actually picked out a dress on line and had my daughter in law approve it before I bought it (I did NOT want to get in trouble with her)
It was a cotton shift and it was short. (and they got married on the hottest day of the year). It looked great since I'm fit.
So do some internet cruising and consult with the bride. I'll bet you don't have to wear a stupid long dress. This is my other son with the ring bearer in this photo

[limewave]

You could also find a long dress that you could hem to cocktail length. I've done that with 2 of my bridesmaids dresses, and I love them.

[Crankin]

I know that the bridesmaids are wearing their own style of dress in matching colors. I guess I will IM my DIL now.
This whole thing is getting on my nerves. And, my other son is getting engaged this weekend, too! (at least he is slightly normal)

[kenyonchris]

I hate to hijack the thread but would the ring bearer be a SNAKE???

[spokewench]

I don't see anything wrong with a shorter (it sounds like you like tailored clothing) dress. If you are worried about it not being appropriate for the bride's family; have her check it out before the wedding.

[bmccasland]

Early evening, a coctail length dress is entirely appropriate as far as I know, but I'm a biologist.

our son's wife was terrified that we'd come to the wedding in bike gear!

Well there is the Tuxedo Jersey.... And we all know that TE has some lovely lady's jerseys, then you could wear a biking skirt to make it more formal ....

I hate to hijack the thread but would the ring bearer be a SNAKE???

What she asked!

[Becky]

What limewave said!

I don't see anything wrong with a shorter dress, but that's just my opinion.

[shootingstar]

Admittedly I'm not familiar at all with the mother of bride or groom, having to wear long dresses.

And I've been to some nice weddings in the past ten years.
I'm sure you'll find a lovely dress that will be wearable again after the wedding. How fussy is your daughter in law to be? Some just wouldn't care what the mothers wore as long as it's an outfit that doesn't outshine the bride.