Dress Code PSA

Most guests will know what's appropriate based on the season and venue, but I think it's ok for the couple getting married to put some guidance on their wedding website - I'm sure a lot of people will ask what to wear either way!!

No matter the dress code, people should know not to wear sweatpants to a wedding! I think that's the one instance I actually would be annoyed as a bride.

TOTALLY agree Reese

I agree with all of the dress codes that @Elizabeth listed. Those are totally appropriate to put on your wedding website, and very helpful. Made up dress codes like "nautical chic" are not helpful and often make things more confusing

If there are no attire guidelines listed anywhere then I know as a guest you are supposed to think of the venue, time of day, and when in doubt assume cocktail attire. But - I normally end up asking a bridal party member anyway, because just because I know what to assume doesn't mean that the bride and groom are on the same page

I'm with Elizebeth- I prefer the standard nomenclature....

"A definition of terms is vital to the process of communication"

And we have a fairly defined set of suggested dress as she listed above.

I personally HATE when someone gives me no indication about what to wear- which means- odds are - I'm going to be under dressed- I was raised- and still firmly believe it is better to be slightly over dressed than slightly under dressed. I am under no impression when someone gives me a dress code suggestion that it's a mandate- it's simply to give me an idea of what to wear. I'm an adult- I can figure that out based off of that.

I can't figure it out if A.) no one said anything or B.) it's some made up stupid fucking thing like "sheek"

Nope, they still don't really mean anything....

CREATIVE BLACK TIE

Formal, but with a trendy twist

WTF This shouldn't exist.

SEMI-FORMAL

Somewhere between formal and casual, depending on the time of the event

Really - thanks for the super clear guideline

COCKTAIL ATTIRE

Festive and fun, but not formal

Really - what does festive and fun mean?

I had a few people ask me what to wear. My response was "I don't care as long as you show up and have fun and enjoy yourself".

Guys, don't forget "casual sheek! Everyone knows what that means, right

So...you're saying all dress codes are meaningless other than black tie Emmy? K.

I had one wedding that asked everyone to wear neutral colors. I never understood the reasoning but it had some weird wording referencing everyone being "honorary BMs and GMs" What? Neutral color in itself is confusing. I think tans and beiges but some people think black or white. I wore a royal blue dress. It was comfortable, I felt good in it, and didn't look out of place.

For my wedding, I had like 2 people ask me. One was a guy asking what color tuxes the GMs were wearing. Who cares?! No one is going to confuse you for a GM.

Yep, for weddings at least and most other situations, you nailed it christine also white tie exists. I've been successfully dressing myself for well over 2 decades and haven't ran into a problem yet.

ETA: Bad arrow

Love the dress she ended up wearing! I am definitely putting dress code clarification on my website I think it really helps the guests I always want to make sure I'm dressed appropriately and now a days everyone does something different! I don't think it's demanding or frowned upon! I would like everyone to feel comfortable and not out of place! I don't think you did anything wrong

I LOVE dress codes. I hate worrying about being overdressed or underdressed. A dress code isn't telling people what to wear, it's just a suggestion so people can make sure they will fit in.

I was once invited to wedding where the invite said casual/business casual. The groomsmen wore jeans and camo hats. CAMO HATS YOU GUYS. Casual/business casual seriously meant nothing.

I think the word dress code is making it feel more like a demand. Having something like @VM did on your website in the FAQ section is fine IMO.

Those are stupid blurbs; if you continue reading the article, it provides appropriate guidelines for men/women. Emily Post also provides similar dress code etiquette. The Knot has dress code guidelines. Weddingwire has several guides including dress code with pictures. Giving someone an idea to the formality of an event helps people make decisions on how to dress. It's uncomfortable showing up at a wedding in a cocktail dress when everyone else is wearing long gowns.

Even most work places have dress codes which can be found in their code of conduct or by asking HR. It's not because they think people can't adult, but to give their employees an idea of what's appropriate for that office environment.

COCKTAIL ATTIRE

• Women: Wear a knee-length dress, or even dress pants or a skirt with a nice blouse.

• Men: Wear a jacket and slacks, with or without a tie. Colors or patterns can be a bit bolder than with semi-formal attire.

You take this topic REALLY personally, huh. It's a suggestion, can you honestly say you think "how dare they!" if you see cocktail attire suggested for a wedding?

@ Elyse - I had people asking me what our colors were. They showed up wearing those colors! Maybe they wanted to make sure they matched the wedding? I don't know. I thought it was funny though.

And, no one is inferring that people can't dress themselves by suggesting a dress code. Why do lots of people bother asking how they should dress? They want to feel like they've dressed appropriately, it has nothing to do with the whims of the bride and groom,

Ruth J. I had a lot of people asking my colors to try to do the same too!