Dress code, should I include with the invite?

I put 'formal attire requested' on my invitation/insert since we are having the ceremony at a church. I also put more information on our FAQ section of our wedding website. We have had a lot people ask about the dress code and we haven't even sent out invites yet. It's up to you and depends on your crowd.

I was told no denim or sneakers were permitted. I don't know if the venue will actually turn away my guests but I do want to respect their policy and avoid any issues. We were on verge of Black Tie but decided on semi-formal.

There is no such thing as being on the verge of black tie...

Emmy - By verge I mean we were considering having a black tie affair but chose to keep things less formal by choosing a lower package, etc.

Since the venue has a dress code and you are doing a pretty formal wedding I think you should include it on some kind of insert. Since you are not doing Black Tie you could say Elegant Attire or Formal Attire. This is the next step down in formality. “Elegant Attire” means gentlemen can wear a tux if they would like, but it’s not required; men will most likely opt to wear a nice suit and tie. Ties are definitely required. Ladies should wear long, formal dresses.

Black Tie is normally printed on the invites at the bottom so if a venue has a dress code, then it should be included and I don't think this hits on "you don't tell guests what to wear" thing since it is the venue and not you that requires a dress code.

If I were you, I'd include it in all of the invitations. I like your idea of a FAQ card. This way you're not singling anyone out.

I don't understand when others say you don't tell an adult how to dress. We are telling our bridesmaids and groomsmen how to dress for the wedding soooo... Why is it is rude to ask guests to dress a certain way for one night?

But maybe I'm just overthinking this.

No. You don't ask them, you don't tell them, and you're happy to see them whatever they show up wearing. I'd never even book a venue that would turn away guests for a private party based on what they are wearing. The venue needs to get a grip

The only time it is appropriate to put a dress code on the invitation is when you are hosting a true black tie event. Since you say you are on the verge of one ( still confused by that even after your clarification as the one below black tie would be black tie optional not semi-formal) then you cannot put a dress code on your invites.

If the venue will turn away people in jeans and sneakers the best way to make everyone aware is to start spreading this message through word of mouth and you have lots of time to do so.

Don't break etiquette just because your guests don't know any better, they still deserve to be treated respectfully

The other problem with putting requested attire on an invitation is that there aren't any universal definitions for these stupid terms (other than black tie affair). Like I have honestly never heard of "elegant attire" and wouldn't know what to do with that if you gave me an invitation that requested that. Semi-formal attire can mean anything from a nice pair of slacks and a blouse to a work-appropriate dress to a cocktail dress. Even "cocktail attire" is so ambiguous and could mean different things to different people.

I guess you could put something on an insert that said "Due to venue requirements, please refrain from wearing jeans or a sneakers." Beyond that, though, you can't tell adults how to dress. You convey that information with the formality of the invitations and the venue.

Usually your wedding website will have a place for you to add "Dress code". Unless this is a black tie affair, most people assume its semiformal.