I too am officiating my first wedding, thank you so much for the comments and suggestions.

The wedding is outside and the temp has been predicted to be 90+ I plan to wear a white linen suit and stole. I don’t plan to attend the reception.

I sweat easily and don’t want to be a waterfall.

I have a contemporary a-line alb with full sleeves, and it’s made of lightweight but opaque polyester. Ugh, you may think–but wait. It was one hundred degrees and the sun was blaring down. I was drenched with sweat, as I would have been with or without the alb, but because of the alb you couldn’t tell. It didn’t cling at all, and afterwards I could just throw it into the washing machine.

I wore a modest but festive sun dress underneath, and I had a bolero sort of cardigan to wear over it, and I was so glad I wasn’t stuck in more formal “clergy” wear (like some sort of suit) at the reception.

I always robe for weddings - and still need to since I can appear to be a much younger woman in the eyes of the bride and groom’s parents and grandparents. I borrowed an eggshell colored robe when in div school and I started doing weddings at age 24ish. Upon ordination, I received the big black robe from my more traditional internship site. Then a generous friend of the family offered to buy me a gift I could really use. That led to the purchase of a while choir robe with burgundy piping and open angel-style sleeves. Between the color and the open sleeves, it makes a very good summer robe. In fact, I haven’t worn the black robe for worship or other services in years. And the white one was 1/3 the cost of my formal minister’s robe. If you can swing it financially, such a robe is a great investment. (no pun intended)

As to vestments, I only have one robe, which is heavy and black. I prefer to wear it –with stole — to confirm that I am not a justice of the peace. In summer don’t usually put it on until the last minute. One exception:when the parties are slow to get organized, it helps to put on the robe and stole and pop into the dressing rooms to “see how it’s coming along.”

If it’s REALLY hot, I bring a second outfit — or at least a fresh blouse — for the reception. That lets the clothes under the robe get as sweaty as the ceremonial role might require without worrying.

My first wedding was in someone’s living room, very laid back, I wore a black pantsuit. My second wedding was in the chapel at my old seminary, co-officiating with the chaplain of the seminary. Quite a step up!

With all respect, PB, you with your years in ministry, plus stage experience and charming chutzpah can carry the role of clergy without the outfit, but someone “just 22″ needs it.

Just 22, buy, beg, borrow or steal the most whisper-thin robe you can get - but be sure it fits you. Otherwise, I would say a Nancy Pelosi style suit, including blouse and hose. Le Suit makes smart jacket and skirt ensembles that don’t require a blouse. Add a stole if you can get one that works with it. They may mistake you for the wedding coordinator at first, but at least they will distinguish you from the guests, who will most likely be wearing black mini-dresses and fringy wraps.

I decided not to tell the couple it was my first wedding beforehand. Why add to their stress? A friend gave me a wonderful tip. She told me to tell them: “When you exchange rings, your hands are likely to be swollen from the heat and the adrenalin. If it doesn’t slip on easily, don’t panic or try to shove it in place. {Insert joke about charming wedding photos here.} Just push it as far as it will comfortably go and let your beloved adjust it later.” Just having that bit of practical advice to offer made me sound and feel like a pro!

Thanks for the comments though, and of course thank you PeaceBang for taking the time to reply.