Black Tie or Formal?

"Formal" isn't really an attire level, but it's most synonymous with Black Tie Optional (as in guests are welcome to wear tuxes if they choose).

The biggest differences between the two would be the requirement of tuxedos (black tie), and black tie events start after 6pm.

I've been to 2 called black ties events that haven't had live bands - where they wrong?

ETA: Neither of have started at 6pm or after...

There is no dress category Black Tie Optional. There's no Formal after high school, either.

The only dress code that it is acceptable to put on an invitation is Black Tie, and that means all the super-elegant extras described above (plus free valet parking and gloved waiters and...)

If you want people to dress up but aren't willing to go full Black Tie, make your invitations as elegant and formal as possible and, if you have a wedding website, indicate that tuxedos and long gowns would be appropriate.

HavanaChic--yes, they were wrong.

There are more components to a Black Tie affair than just the attire.

In order for a wedding to be truly black tie, It needs to meet the following criteria:

Saturday evening wedding after 6pm

Large wedding (usually over 150 guests)

Premiuim top shelf open bar

Two live bands

White glove service

Valet parking

Four course meal

Letterpressed, white cotton invitations

One really cannot request their guests arrive in black tie attire unless their wedding meets all of these criteria. Black tie= tuxes, formal long gowns Formal= jackets/suits and evening dresses