Dress code... Is it tacky?

I would just state on your wedding website the formality. You can't dictate what people will decide to wear, but it'll give them some direction.

I don't know why anyone would wear jeans to a wedding. Is your venue appropriate (fancy enough) to warrant full length dresses?

I wouldn't put it on the invite. Your website or reception card insert, but not the invitation itself. You can say cocktail attire requested.

It's not tacky at all and I've even seen it expressed directly on wedding invites. If you do put it on your invites, keep it short and direct... something like, "formal attire appreciated" or "black tie event".

If you do it on the wedding website you can be a bit more expressive, or you can chose to let people know via word of mouth. It sort of depends on the size of your wedding, and the kind of people you are inviting (that's not meant to sound judgey, just that some people will automatically know to dress up for a wedding, while others need to be told)

Thank you all.... I've seen men wear jeans to weddings before so I am just trying to cover my bases, And yes, my venue is very ornate, which is part of the reason for the intended dress code.

I've seen on a bunch of etiquette sites (and here on WW) that dress code should only be put on the invitation if it is black or white tie. Otherwise, you can reflect the attire on your website or tell people by word of mouth.

As a side note, why do you want people in full length dresses but just slacks? Typically full-length gowns are associated with black tie, but then you would want your men in tuxedos, right?

Full length dresses? What is wrong with a dressy cocktail dress? Women can still be very dressy without wearing a full length dress. You can't force people to wear a long dress.

You should not put a dress code on your invitation unless you wedding is a black tie affair, and you should not put that unless your wedding truly lives up to the standard of such an event.

I would keep any suggestions for attire to a wedding website.

You absolutely can, but ... why? What is everyone so afraid of if someone shows up in jeans? Will everyone then explode into an all-denim whitewash party?

Not trying to poke. Legitimate question.

Yes, I would prefer tuxes. (or at least suits with ties).

And this matters to you why? If the venue is on the invite, most people will go to look at it online and see how formal it is. Your invitations will also give some indication of the level of formality.

But seriously, going formal to a wedding can cost hundreds of dollars and not everyone has them to spare. How many people do I know that have a tux laying around? Two, and they're both musicians.....

I think it's tacky.

I just feel like if I and my wedding party are getting all done up to look our best, then I want everyone else to look nice. My venue is very ornate, and it would just feel strange for me to be in a big satin ballgown, getting married in a castle and people are wearing jeans. I don't want to sound too particular or anything. I just want everyone there dressed up. I get the point about the dresses. They don't have to be full-length, that was just my vision. A nice cocktail dress would do, but my main goal is for everyone to come dressed up.

Invitations are the best way to let people know. Our wedding is traditional and more on the formal side but our venue could be construed as casual depending on who was looking at the website and which weddings were pictured on their page. We stated the level of attire on the very bottom of the invitation. We chose cocktail attire because when you google it you get a wider range of nice dressy (i.e. full length or short length for dress) than formal. Not everyone has formal attire.

Most people I know get dressed up for weddings unless the couple specifically says not to due to it being cowboy themed or whatnot (at least here where I am)

OK, then sounds like you're hoping for something along the lines of 'semi-formal' attire. You can indicate that on your website and spread it by word of mouth.

If your vision is for a black tie event, then you should decide on that and tell your guests in advance (this kind of dress code I believe is appropriate for an invitation). If you want women in gowns and men in tuxedos, though, be prepared for some pushback -- people who don't own this attire don't want to feel like they can't attend your wedding because they won't be appropriately dressed.

Semi-formal to formal is a better indication of my expectations.

Why though? What is the negative of someone showing up in jeans (which sounds doubtful and probably is)? Are they ruining your pictures? Photobombing your vows? Running around in an all denim 2001 Britney and Justin esque thing?

I still don't understand how it affects you. I think it's totally fine to say "formal wear" but Black Tie is very specific, and white tie even more so. And if you get upset by someone wearing jeans when you look fabulous... then...

Thank you! That answered my question perfectly

Thank you "M," but I've already said that semi-formal to formal was a better description, thanks to 8815Wedding's sound advice. Thanks to everyone who took the time to give me advise, I appreciate it!

I was surprised by how many people asked me what the dress code was. i really didn't care but i think people do wonder so i feel like putting it on the invitation would be good.

Put it on your wedding website. I'm from a small town where people would come in black jeans and some type of shirt. Heck my dad normally would've. At least put on some khakis! I think it really depends where you are from and what the norm is, but I agree with you. I want people to dress up. Although I guess if a couple people don't and everyone else is they may just feel out of place.

I wans't trying to annoy anyone, or poke at you at all. I am honestly, 100% always been curious as to why it matters to people. That's all! I apologize if it came off caustically. I even suggested writing formal wear, or semi-formal, and that its not rude or tacky to put a dress code.

I guess I'll just never understand why!