Appropriate wedding attire

My cousin's daughter is getting married on Saturday. Is she my second cousin? Or my first cousin once removed? I've never figured that out. I mostly say that she is my niece, just to confuse the issue.

Every single conversation I've had this week has involved the question "What are you wearing to the wedding?" The wedding is outdoors, in the mountains, in October. Can you say "Inclement?" The forecast calls for possible rain, mid-70's and then mid-40's after the sun sets. I need a pretty new sundress, goulashes, and a parka. How do I coordinate that? This is causing some confusion, not only for myself. Patti called yesterday to ask if she could wear jeans to the wedding.

"Certainly not!" I told her.

"But it's in the wilderness!" she said. "Can I wear black?"

You can't wear black to a wedding, it's a dreadful breach of etiquette.
It Is Known.
Patti said that she had been researching this topic online in a vain attempt to gain permission to dress down for the Most Important Covenant Ceremony of my young relative's life. She said that the prim fashion advice all came across in my voice. We finally settled on a compromise, whereby I conceded to bestow my blessing upon black slacks, as long as the blouse was colorful. Why she required my permission is beyond me. She'll wear what she likes anyway, and look fabulous.

So, today, my daughter was out shopping for a dress, when she texted me, " Can I wear black to the wedding?" Seriously? Who raised this child? At least she realized enough to ask the question, so that's something.

Then, I spoke with Mother. "What are you wearing to the wedding?" I asked her.

"Black slacks and a black and white blouse," she replied.

My faith in humanity is dwindling.

What ever happened to propriety? Good breeding? Social structure? Am I so outdated? It does seem to me that some order is important to a civilized society. The rules make some things special, and others common. If everything is common, and nothing is remarkable, where is the beauty in ceremony and pomp? I'm not willing to let it go.

Wear your Sunday best to church. Never wear shorts or jeans.
Dress like a lady for events. Men, put on a tie.
Leave the slippers and pajama pants at home.
Respect others by showing good manners.
And, never, ever wear white to a wedding, unless you are the bride.
Amen. And Amen.