Black tie

Awesome thank you!

I would put "black tie affair" or something like that on the invite. I think for us it would be assumed if the venue was fancy and the invites were fancy (acrylic or something really nice) but we wouldn't know until we got there if it had all the black tie features (valet, coat check, band, full open bar top shelf, multi course plated meal, favors, programs & menus, etc.).

We are having a multi course plated meal but we are having table side ordering so our guest don’t pick the meal before hand they order what they want off the menus when we sit for dinner .. that is formal enough correct?

I think everyone's opinion is a little different. Our wedding was semi-formal/formal but not black tie. The only black tie wedding we had been to did the same thing to what you are describing! It was nice I thought. My only issue was the reception didn't start until 7:30, we didn't sit down & order until 8:30/9 so we didn't eat until basically 10/10:30 and that was pretty ridiculous. Even with a big cocktail hour we were starving and exhausted and went home at 11 vs. staying later to dance/drink.

Normally I would say that a dress code would be better left to the wedding website, but black tie is something people have to prepare for so I would definitely put it on the invite so they know before they RSVP!

That sounds perfect! I think as long as people eat dinner by 8 you'll be fine.

Oh yes, you definitely need to put it on the invite or people will come in lord knows what.... also black tie doesn't mean people where black and white... black tie is tuxes and floor length gowns.

Definitely put it on invite AND wedding website and maybe even spread by word of mouth too (people are unobservant).

Oh yes, definitely put the dress code at the bottom, or the bottom right hand corner in smaller font on the invite! I put Formal Attire, Black Tie optional and people had questions so I would not leave it to your guest's discretion. There are far too many people out there who either do not pay attention, or assume otherwise.

I am so glad you mentioned that because even with my invitation stating Formal Attire, Black Tie optional some people had no idea what that meant! And this is standard wedding attire verbiage, I didn't even use creative wording!