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Jessy
Master May 2010

Attire wording

Jessy, on February 20, 2010 at 1:49 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 40

What is the proper verbage for the kind of attire we hope our guests will wear? Our wedding isn't a black tie affair... we don't want to go as formal as tuxedos, but we DO want the guys to wear ties/jackets and ladies to dress nicely.

My aunt was asking... when I asked my FH for his opinion on attire, he was very confused. In England, he told me, they have wedding attire... there are no other options. People know what wedding attire means over there. So I told him I'd ask you marvelous people what sort of wording it is we are looking for to convey our wishes.

40 Comments

Latest activity by JennyRed, on October 6, 2010 at 1:50 PM
  • Bright Eyes
    Master August 2012
    Bright Eyes ·
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    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.

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  • Rosie
    Master June 2011
    Rosie ·
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    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.

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  • Bright Eyes
    Master August 2012
    Bright Eyes ·
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    Good point, Rosie. How about, "Wear a damn tie or dress, please." That conveys it pretty well.

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  • Fran
    Expert May 2010
    Fran ·
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    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.

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  • Mrs. Kline (Sass)
    Master December 2010
    Mrs. Kline (Sass) ·
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    I was just going to do semi formal. Cocktail attire would work too probably.

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  • Malinda & Stefan
    VIP August 2010
    Malinda & Stefan ·
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    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!!

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  • Mrs. Kline (Sass)
    Master December 2010
    Mrs. Kline (Sass) ·
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    Well honestly in my family most wedding attire means is no jeans... and if they are nicer jeans mabey.

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  • ladylee
    Master June 2010
    ladylee ·
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    Semi-formal attire.

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  • Jessy
    Master May 2010
    Jessy ·
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    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. Smiley winking

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  • H
    Dedicated August 2010
    HB8/14/10 ·
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    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."

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  • Z
    Super April 2010
    Z ·
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    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 ;-)

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  • Mrs. Kline (Sass)
    Master December 2010
    Mrs. Kline (Sass) ·
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    @hb8/14/2010 I like the first option.

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  • F
    VIP May 2010
    far too excited ·
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    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).

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  • SmiEmi
    Devoted May 2011
    SmiEmi ·
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    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

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  • SmiEmi
    Devoted May 2011
    SmiEmi ·
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    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....

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  • SmiEmi
    Devoted May 2011
    SmiEmi ·
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    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.

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  • A
    Devoted September 2010
    Ashley ·
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    I like the idea of mentioning it on the web page too, updating now..

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  • SmiEmi
    Devoted May 2011
    SmiEmi ·
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    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

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  • SmiEmi
    Devoted May 2011
    SmiEmi ·
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    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

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  • SmiEmi
    Devoted May 2011
    SmiEmi ·
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    Can be natural and everyday.

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

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