Attire wording

Business casual??? I have the SAME question lol. I've been driving myself nuts over it! I'll be checking in here for answers lol.

Heh business casual makes sense for the men, but not for ladies! To me, business casual is dress pants and a sweater or blouse. What about semi-formal? I think that usually implies ties/jackets, but I could be mistaken.

Good point, Rosie. How about, "Wear a damn tie or dress, please." That conveys it pretty well.

I did a search on your question and came up w/ these statements:

Semi-Formal or After Five means that tuxes are not required, nor are long dresses. An evening wedding (after 6 PM) would still dictate dark suits for him, and a cocktail dress for her. Daytime semi-formal events mean a suit for him and an appropriate short dress or dressy suit for her.

Business Formal is the same as Semi-Formal for him, but for women it suggests that women opt for more tailored dressy suits and dresses (nothing too slinky or sexy).

Cocktail Attire

Cocktail Attire means short, elegant dresses for her and dark suits for him.

More about cocktail dresses: Best Little Black Dresses

10 Perfect Cocktail Dresses

Informal

Informal is often interpreted as the same as Casual but it actually calls for the same dress as Semi-Formal -- dark suits for him, short dresses for her -- especially when associated with a wedding or special event.

you can put your attire options on your invitations.

I was just going to do semi formal. Cocktail attire would work too probably.

I didn't think about putting anything for the fact dont most know how to dress for a wedding?? I mean I have never seen someone show up in jeans n t~shirt...lol most dress nicely anyways with suit n dresses.. to me personally unless its formal attire or a themed wedding I wouldn't bother.. but thats just me.. not to offend!!

Well honestly in my family most wedding attire means is no jeans... and if they are nicer jeans mabey.

Semi-formal attire.

Thanks, I think I'll either go with semi-formal or cocktail attire. Believe it or not, I DO know folks whose interpretation of dressy is a pair of jeans without worn patches in them... or khaki pants and a polo shirt... or a flowy hippy skirt. I'm not going to fret if they show up like that, but I'd like to give them the option to consider something else.

On mine I am going to put somethig like: " hey I spent a years salary on this day, weeks at the gym, and hours getting ready. Please don't dress like a homeless person."

or "proper attire requested."

If I don't care what people wear, do I have to worry about this? I've already ordered invitations but could add it to the wedding website if people expect to be told what to wear. We have a mix of styles for the wedding. My dress is fancy, bridesmaids casual, groomsmen and groom in suit looking tuxes. I don't think I'll even notice what anyone else is wearing, unless someone showed up in a white dress ;-)

@hb8/14/2010 I like the first option.

Hahaha I like that "Please don't show up looking like a homeless person." I really don't care much what other people wear as long as it isn't a white dress or as long as it isn't super revealing (a friend joked around about showing up in his underwear).

Female guest attire for daytime weddings can include:

* A flirty floral dress with a matching hat.

* A skirt and blouse or a sweater set.

* Strappy high-heeled sandals.

* A bright-colored suit in pastel blue, pink or sage green. Colors like black and navy are too business-like.

Male guest attire for daytime weddings can include:

* A neutral-colored linen suit in taupe or beige with a matching tie for summer.

* A wool suit in navy, black or charcoal pants for winter.

* Dark dress pants, a matching sweater and tie under a blazer.

* A dark or neutral suit with a coordinating turtleneck underneath.

* For casual weddings a dress shirt, tie and dress pants are acceptable.

At evening weddings guest attire is formal unless the wedding invitation states otherwise.

Men should wear:

* A dark 3-piece suit.

* Tuxedos are appropriate after 6 pm.

Ladies should wear:

* A cocktail dress or dressy suit in black or another dark color.

* If the..CONT

CONT... wedding invitation says black tie an evening gown is appropriate.

* For casual weddings dress pants and a blouse with a blazer or a dressy skirt suit.

Wedding etiquette dictates that wedding guests shall not

* Wear white.

* Wear black to a daytime wedding (at evening weddings black is appropriate).

* Jeans or printed t-shirts

* Anything you would wear to a bar (including anything too sexy or revealing).

This is what I found on the web....

The invite says: "White Tie"

This is the most formal of all wedding dress codes (think state dinners and the Oscars).

He should wear: A tuxedo, a long black jacket with tails, a white pique vest, and a bow tie. Black, formal shoes and even white gloves for dancing are appropriate.

She should wear: A formal, full-length ball gown in a neutral color like dark brown or black. Glamorous makeup and dramatic jewelry and hair are appropriate.

The invite says: "Black Tie"

This is the next most formal wedding dress code and usually means the wedding is an evening affair.

He should wear: A tuxedo. A black bow tie, cummerbund, and patent leather shoes are also suggested.

She should wear: A chic cocktail dress or a long evening gown in a dark, neutral color like brown or black. The bride, wedding party, or friends can help answer questions about the appropriate dress length.

The invite says: "Formal" or "Black Tie Optional"

The wording here suggests something slightly less formal than black tie.

I like the idea of mentioning it on the web page too, updating now..

He should wear: A tuxedo. A black bow tie, cummerbund, and patent leather shoes are also suggested.

She should wear: A chic cocktail dress or a long evening gown in a dark, neutral color like brown or black. The bride, wedding party, or friends can help answer questions about the appropriate dress length.

The invite says: "Formal" or "Black Tie Optional"

The wording here suggests something slightly less formal than black tie. This means that a tuxedo isn't required but the event is still formal enough for one to be appropriate.

He should wear: A tuxedo or a formal dark suit and tie.

She should wear: A long dress, a dressy suit, or a formal cocktail-length dress in a dark, neutral tone like brown, gray, or black.

The invite says: "Beach Formal"

This suggests an elegant beach wedding -- so dress to impress, but also dress for the elements (sun, sand, and water). Anything you'd wear to a nice restaurant on a summer day is appropriate.

He should wear: A summer suit with a linen shirt (no

Ties required), linen pants or khakis, and sandals.

She should wear: A formal summer sundress at tea- or knee-length with flat sandals. Makeup and hair can be natural and everyday.

The invite says: "Semiformal" or "Dressy Casual"

Depending on the time of the event, you'll want to dress somewhere between formal and casual. Wear darker, more formal hues for an evening fete; opt for light colors and fabrics for a daytime wedding.

He should wear: A suit and tie, dark or light depending on the season and time of day.

She should wear: A cocktail dress or a dressy skirt and top.

The invite says: "Casual"

Generally, casual means anything goes. That said, jeans, shorts, and tank tops are probably not appropriate unless they're specifically noted as acceptable. For the purposes of wedding wear, assume business casual to be on the safe side.

He should wear: Dress pants with a button-down shirt or polo.

She should wear: A summer sundress or a skirt or pants with a nice blouse. Makeup and hair can

Can be natural and everyday.

Another site with a little bit more information about how to word the invite. Hope I have helped some!