Formal dress code for destination wedding in Hawaii

I would maybe put this info. on your wedding website. If you have a FAQ or a guest information page, simply put something like: We ask that you dress in black tie attire, which traditionally means....

That way the information is available but you aren't demanding it on your invites.

I don't think so. If it's what you want to go for, then do it. The place will be air conditioned I'm assuming, so the guys won't be too warm in their suits/tuxes?

You can request it, but whether or not people will comply is another story.

You can request it but i probably wouldn't want to haul a formal dress to a warm climate

also, is there a place for the men to rent tuxes nearby? most places on the mainland US (might be different elsewhere) will only let you take a tux for a couple of days. If i'm flying to Hawaii i'm staying for two weeks.

I can't say that I'm familiar with weddings in Maui, but we certainly see plenty of black tie summer weddings in our area.

The sugar mill venue sounds interesting. More traditional banquet spaces have A/C but I'm not sure how shaded/sheltered yours is. My general take is that unless you're planning an extended outdoor thing under the sun at noon, your guests shouldn't be any more or less comfortable than if they were wearing a more traditional suit. White dinner jackets might be an option to maintain the formal look but keep things cooler.

Extended rentals are available for destination weddings and cruises so folks bringing one from the mainland U.S. shouldn't have any trouble (not sure about Canada or Australia). There are also some independent shops on both the Big Island and Maui to coordinate things locally if needed.

Have fun planning!

Thanks ladies. (The venue is open air - no AC - but shaded by lots of trees and stone walls). I found out that tux rentals are available on the island. and i love the white jacket option too. also I'm not going to be crushed if people don't adhere, so I think I'll go for it!

Hey Anne, as long as you're not going to be crushed if people don't want to pack their fancy duds or wear them in tropical weather, there is absolutely no harm in planning a formal wedding and hoping for the best-- I hope you get enough people to comply that you don't have to look at the casually dressed people!

If there is no AC then it will still be hot and moist in HI. I think most ppl will be comfortable in something other than formal attire. You can ask ppl to wear it but most ppl prob won't.

The haiku mill is gorgeous!!! (i live in kihei)

however, although haiku is a much cooler and rainier part of the island- summer is still blazing hot here and id hate to be in black tie formal. I cant see ur wedding date but pm me if you wanna talk further

When my nephew got married, the invitation said "Black tie optional."

Since we had to fly, stay at an expensive hotel, etc., etc., -- we opted not to rent a tux for my hubby. He looked very handsome in his blazer. I had a long dress already (being in the wedding biz), so I didn't have to buy one.