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Just Said Yes May 2022

Daytime Ceremony, Evening Reception Guest Attire

Marley, on April 24, 2021 at 11:30 PM

Hello everyone! I'm having a bit of trouble deciding what the "dress code" guidance should be for my wedding, and would love a bit of guidance. I want to have a fancy reception. We're holding it in a ballroom. Cocktail hour starts at 6pm and the event goes until 11pm. I was going to use Formal/Black...

Hello everyone! I'm having a bit of trouble deciding what the "dress code" guidance should be for my wedding, and would love a bit of guidance.

I want to have a fancy reception. We're holding it in a ballroom. Cocktail hour starts at 6pm and the event goes until 11pm. I was going to use Formal/Black Tie Optional as the attire/formality guidance on our wedding website. However, our ceremony is at 1:30pm. It's outdoors in a botanical garden, and it will be a semi-religious affair. Everything I'm seeing online says that afternoon weddings should be quite casual. That's not really the vibe I want per se, but I understand that people probably don't want to sit in the sun in their tuxedo (it won't be a very long ceremony but still).

Can/should I request formal attire for an afternoon garden ceremony? And is it acceptable to put a different level of formality for the ceremony than from the reception?

Thanks!

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23 Comments

VIP June 2019
Hanna · on April 25, 2021 at 6:45 PM
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The only way I've seen this gap + dress code change done acceptably was when the ceremony was at a Catholic church (time dictated by the church), and the reception was in the evening. Never at a destination wedding...True black tie weddings are never held outdoors, and also never before 6 pm. I think it would be quite unfair to your guests to request formal attire for an afternoon outdoor ceremony. I would simply have your evening attire more casual (call it semi-formal or something like that) because not everyone is going to want to or be able to change outfits.
Just Said Yes May 2022
Marley · on April 25, 2021 at 9:45 PM
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The hotel is the reception location.

Just Said Yes May 2022
Marley · on April 25, 2021 at 9:49 PM
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That's why I don't want to make it a true black tie event. I can't imagine requiring people to rent or buy tuxedos. However, my fiancé wants himself and the groomsmen to wear tuxedos (it was one of the few things he requested), and the reason I would consider putting it as black tie optional is so if guests feel inclined to match the level of formality as the bridal party they can.