Attire Wording

I cringe a little seeing more than a simple "semi formal" or "cocktail attire" on a website or anything else. Honestly, I feel like less people look at the website than you think.

IMO, the best way to get attire across is the formality of your invites! You'd be surprised..

Loving this thread. I know exactly what your talking about the homie formal look is what my family does. Dickie shorts with a baggy button up dodgers jersey and the knee high socks.

I put examples on my FAQ section for slacks and none of the above. But I'm also going to talk to my gma to have her talk to everyone.

Here's what we put on our site

It's a cocktail party reception; however the wedding ceremony is in the church. We only ask that you do not wear all white, jeans, tees or too casual wear. Ladies can wear cocktail dressing, pants suits, or formal dresses. Guys you may wear dress pants, slacks, collared shirts or tie.

@ Ray Ray... I know and we are having letterpress and pretty formal invites...but you're also assuming that people understand the correlation/association etiquette of weddings....

I don't want to have to explain more than like you said... and it can make me cringe too, but I think I would cringe more if someone showed up in jeans.. especially someone I didn't know like a +1....haha

How about this:

Dress to impress! Festive cocktail attire!

I live near Daytona beach, Fl; super casual. On my website I put, "the bride prefers you wear your Sunday best, while dancing attire is what the groom suggests. So ladies, wear those heels but bring some flats. And, men no jeans, please wear slacks." Super cheesy, but the nicest way I could think of to inform people of what I wear.

I put dress "Resort Casual". We will be having a beach ceremony, outdoor cocktail hour, and Indoor reception.

I don't want blue jeans but if it is the only thing they will wear so be it.

Praying for no cut off jeans. lol

@Christine, why are you so picky about what you will/won't tell them? If you really want to achieve your goal, which is clearly expressing to your guests what they should wear, then you will take these ladies' suggestions. And frankly, ANYONE who wears jeans to an even with "semi-formal attire requested" is knowingly choosing to disobey the bride's request-- it's not an issue of "confusion" in this day of Google. Spell it out to them on your web site, adding some pictures like one bride posted here. Ask your friends and close family to spread the word and chaperone any potential offenders. I have never seen anyone wear jeans to any wedding.

I've never seen anyone wear jeans to a wedding (actually that isn't true but it wasn't a 'wedding' we went to McDonalds after). You want to make sure just spell it out - no jeans.

Personally if I read 'cocktail attire/dress' I read that as 'if you have boobs you must wear a dress' and if I was shown a picture of 'suitable attire' I would think the bride and groom had lost their heads and think all their guests are simpletons.

I always assume that to a wedding it is smart-casual/Sunday best clothes unless I am told otherwise (either saying it is black tie or morning dress or casual/'come as you please') (I also think that unless it is morning dress/black tie/casual it is rude to tell your guests what to wear but maybe that is a cultural thing)

Just say 'no jeans please' you don't need anything else to pad it out

@Fluffy because it matters to me, I'm just mining for ideas on wording... and as I said before - I've seen people wear jeans to weddings. You take for granted that some people think to 'google' what fashion wording means. Some people don't even know fashion exists. Anyways, I don't want to overly explain it and come across as Ned states it - I'm thinking they are simpletons. I am meeting a lot of his family/friends for the first time so I want to put in the extra effort and think this through before I just throw something on the website that might offend people - again me mining for wording. With large weddings word of mouth doesn't work that far past that first 50-80 people; especially with a disjointed group like ours... 90% are traveling in from all over the world and a lot don't know each other but know of each other.

Thanks everyone I appreciate all of the suggestions. I obviously have a situation that is exaggerated by the nuances of my guest list

I'm worried about my dad's side of the family. Not to say they can't be classy, but they are totally small-town hicks who think that dressing up is jeans and an polo. I've seen a bunch of my cousins' weddings, (I have a LOT of cousins), and at every one, guests are wearing jeans, and even graphic tees and old baseball caps.

We are having a fun but upscale looking garden wedding, and I'm trying to get the word out about NO denim. I'd love to see guys in slacks and button-ups, and girls in fun summer dresses or cute blouses and slacks.

I would aim for formal, I couldn't imagine anyone wearing jeans to a wedding!

@Just I know right... I've seen it so many times though!!! I mean to weddings that shouldn't have jeans... there were 2 weddings were jeans were ok but the others not at all...

@small I think I might have not been clear? Sorry we do want formal but not so formal that people feel obligated to wear/rent tux's and gowns....

Hey Christine,

I just had an idea for you:

"Colouful Cocktail Dress". Then people know not to go too evening, and not to wear a LBD.

ONE MONTH CAROLINE!!!! SO excited for you LOL.....

Thanks for the thought! I like it