Hi Belle,

Our son received his wings in 2014. There were some families with lots of people. I don’t believe there was a limit. Your sailor should be able to check that for you. 

Yes, the families were invited to the celebration at the Officer’s Club and also to the party at a restaurant later that evening. 

Congratulations to your son!

hi Belle,

Glad you asked that question.  My aviator was so excited to get his Wings, they gave  them to him on the carrier he made his 5 night landings on the night before so we never had a chance to see  the celebration! I was curious about what we missed.  He did call that am after he landed back at Egln and told me as he drove home to tell his wife so I did understand his eagerness and tried to not be disappointed that he was in Pensacola and we were  6 hours away by car.. but he  had also skipped his  commissioning after OCS.and every promotion since has been  a quick handover of insignia or  paper order because he was already doing the job of  his next rank..We have also never had a tiger cruise and I really wanted to do that!  Did get to see the Reagan and Bush (DS is a plank holder on the Bush commissioning in Norfolk) if you get the a chance to attend a commissioning it is well worth all the heat or cold or whatever and you DS probably can get passes for you.  Enjoy the commissioning and congratulations to your son and you.

Congratulations to your son on his winging!!  

The day was a full day for, because we went to "everything."  In the morning there was a "blessing of the wings" at the chapel on base.  It was really neat.  There are boards the hold the wings of the most recent few years of new aviators -- so the people in the chapel are reminded to pray for them.  If he does this he will need to buy an extra pair of wings to be pinned onto the board.  

The blessing was followed by an informal winging at a nearby location.  Our son's group had a heavy continental breakfast for everyone here--but i don't think every group does food.  They were all dressed in their flight suits & the our younger son got to put his patch wings to wear on his flight suit W/ the CO (XO??) doing the swearing in.  This was done one-on-one.  It was great for us, cuz his Navy Nurse sister -- then stationed in Italy got to FaceTime in on this and talk to everyone -- our pilot, the CO, the little brother, etc.

Later on -- after the pilots got their dress whites on, we all met at the OClub.  There was bar there & some snacks.  The formal ceremony was there with everyone.  They each pick someone to pin their gold wings onto their Whites.  I got to do our DS's.  Time was allowed for each individual to take quite a few pictures by the flags, etc., too, so you don't have to buy the expensive "professional" photos.  There was also plenty of room for everyone -- some had a lot of family there, some just 2-3 like our DS.  But, there were also friends that attended -- some already had their wings & some were yet to get them.

Many people went out to dinner at nice or just favorite restaurants for celebration supper.  We went to a neighbor our DS became friends with & they had a deck party for us, our DS & his closest buddies.  

Later that evening there was a big blow-out party where the whole group pitches in & lots and lots of people are generally invited.  

I wore a nice dress and heels thru the day & changed before the deck party & big party.  I think my husband wore nice pants & a nice shirt.  Our younger son wore good shorts & a button up shirt.  

I'm sure it can be a bit different depending on what each winging group decides to do, but i hope that helps.

Congrats & enjoy!!