So..we got kicked out of a wedding reception...I think?!

Oh my goodness...how rude. I would have had to nicely say something back the second time she felt the need to say something to you.

Wait, but there was alcohol? I am so confused. Are you going to talk to the groom? We need an update! Lol

Well, Amish or Mennonite, looks like they have one of "those relatives" too!

Hahaha. Wow. What an.... experience. I can't believe you went and bought a new outfit! That was really nice of you! I wouldn't have said anything back to them, but I probably would not have changed. You were already wearing a conservative dress, in my weddings. Good thing the cookies were tasty! But my goodness. How awkward!

The Amanas... another Iowa girl! I live about 2 hours from there. Yay for Tanger! I'm assuming that's the outlet you went to.

I think this is one of the strangest wedding experiences I've heard of. I wouldn't have went back!

I would have told the lady that I drove 2 hours, I got a sitter and paid for a hotel room so my ass is staying....in my original outfit. People are so judgmental and Idc what religion you are that is ignorant!!!

@Jess, yes!!! Love that mall! Where are you from? Probably 2 hours in the opposite direction from me! Lol

That is horrifying, and a really fucked up way to handle interacting with people who aren't exactly like you.

You're a saint. Honestly.

Sorry this happened to you. Is there a way to speak to the groom to see what happened. I'm sure he will hear about the "incident" at some point.

My guess is not Amish or Mennonite since there was alcohol. If there was electricity, its more likely to be Mennonite, which doesn't drink.

Is it possible they are just some random, ultra conservative sect of something. Also, it sounds like you were kicked out because they want to control your friend. No other family or friends is a red flag!

Man I would have said something I think. I might have been that guest at the wedding that made a scene. At least to the point of asking why the hell I needed to leave, that I had been invited, and that I didn't think my attire was at all inappropriate.

Having lived in Amish and Mennonite areas, knowing who you are dealing with is important. I know Amish who drive cars. Granted they have to be completely black. Years ago when you often had chrome bumpers, they had to special order them. There have been many Amish that have been caught dealing/transporting drugs. There are Mennonites that are much more strict than the Amish. There are those that (aside from the clothes and more polite speech) are not very different than any average English person.

I haven't known any to be that forward and rude. Mostly you find that they just won't speak with you at all.

I think it was strange that they didn't have anything on the invitation.

People are just weird; these constructed rules about what 'God wants" do nothing for society.

Um maybe here's a thought..perhaps since it was mostly family and no one knew you, maybe they thought you were crashers? Since you didn't really fit in???

Wow, this sounds so bizarre. You were so accommodating to go out and buy another outfit! I absolutely would not have done that. I would have stayed in my original outfit until I was chased out! If I were you I would write a note to the groom saying you appreciated the invitation and you treasure your memories together (something like that), it was a lovely wedding but you wish you knew if there was a dress code or you are sorry if your dress offended anyone. Ask how he and his wife met, and maybe he will give you more background about the community?

@JamieLynn, I'm just north of the Quad Cities.

I'm not sure what the cultural background of the Amanas are... I don't think they're really either Amish or Mennonite. I think they're kind of their own thing, but similar.

MrsM. - i probably would have thought that she was mistaken for a wedding crasher but what wedding crasher leaves to go buy a new outfit??? and it seems like this lady waited till the groom said hi to her and her SO before kicking them out.

its just rude.

ETA: i was curious about this whole thing so i googled and apparently there is an Amish Mennonite sect? ;-/ either way this just still seems odd to me.

I'm pretty sure you're a saint, because I would have snapped. Cultures can be so difficult to transcend but it's not an excuse to be rude. I can't believe you went and shopped for a second outfit! You truly are a fantastic guest and I am sorry you were treated that way.

I think there's had to for sure be an issue that divided the two families. Since his family wasn't there, something is for sure wrong. And since I didn't recognize any other mutual friends, I'd say the bride's family maybe wanted it to be all her family/friends? I'm not sure. Maybe they asked his family to leave, too. I have no idea. Maybe we missed a big scene when I was shopping for my new outfit. Lol. It is possible that his family was there BEFORE I left to go shopping, and I just didn't see them. Because we literally had just sat down pretty much when I was asked to, "cover up".

ETA *** Okay - light bulb moment!! I'm seriously wondering what happened while we were shopping. I'm betting there were several people asked to leave, and we just weren't there to see it. Ugh!

JamieLynn- maybe its very likely that people showed up and were asked to leave and then didn't change clothes like you did. they just decided to leave.