Formal wedding

formal is tuxes. I think it would be awkward to have guests in tuxes and not the bridal party.

What you are probably looking for is "black tie optional". It denotes a little more formality than just cocktail dress and a shirt and pants, but does not require tuxes.

So depending on where you are from and where you are getting married, it should sort of be implied in the location itself. For example, if I get an invite to a wedding at a country club, I know to dress formally. Black tie invited/optional means that men will opt to wear a tux if they so please, which you've stated you don't want. Unfortunately, there is no happy medium between dress codes since the next step down from "formal attire" (which invites tuxedos as well) is "dressy casual" which leaves your guests open to wearing clothing closer to the casual side.

Here's a link that has helped me with this:

https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-guest-attire-cheat-sheet

Hope this helps! Best of luck with wedding planning!

Like Miranda said, your guests should use your venue as reference. However, I find that these days its getting harder to get people to dress nicely. I went to a wedding where one guy actually came in wearing a polo shirt and is undershirt was tucked out!

You can't ask your guests to wear tuxes but not have your bridal party in tuxes. Outside of black tie you shouldn't put a dress code on an invite. People know how to adult, if they don't that is their problem.

Yes, let your guests dress themselves. If they have questions they will ask, if they don't they wont listen to your demands anyways.

I put on my website: "the venue is semi formal. We know you all will show up looking your best. "

Better to give a little hint then straight out say, dress in tuxes while the bridal party is wearing a suit.

Why would you ask your guests to dress in tux's and not you? seems a bit- contradictory.

Let the venue speak and give solid hints- as Kathyrn said above.

I also find invitations themselves have really supported the idea of what the host is expecting. Elegant and elaborate invitations to me usually indicate a "higher end" wedding. So make sure you follow that idea of a more formal wedding through with all your planning- like don't host your wedding website on godaddy with a basic drop down menu.

Don't dictate to your guests unless you're requesting costumes or you're actually hosting a real black tie event, with all the 'requirements". If your event is on a Saturday night, at a fancy venue, your guests (presumably) will get that they need to dress up.

Like others have said, your venue, time of day, and invitations will give clues to the formality of your event. It would be weird to request formal attire, and then have your bridal party in suits. Also, your invitations should not specify dress code unless it's black tie. You could put something on your website if you really feel it's necessary, but adults can dress themselves, and this is not something you should stress yourself out over! If someone is going to wear jeans to your wedding, they're going to do it regardless of what dress code you ask for.

Also, keep in mind that "dressy casual" or any other random combination of attire-related adjectives mean something different to different people. Dressy casual could mean Uncle Bob's nice camo sweater, versus his camo hoodie, so.

Don't tell them what to wear, indicate it by the location, time and invitations. DO NOT say black tie unless it actually is. My wedding was relatively formal and my guests showed up in appropriate attire.

If you don't like traditional tuxes, look at morning suits.

ETA: I agree with above. If you want formal, your men must wear tuxes. Otherwise it's not formal if the guests are and the wedding party is not.

And don't say black tie unless it is. And so far, it's not.

You could add "semi-formal attire suggested" on your wedding website. I don't like the word "required" because it's not actually required is it? Formal attire or black tie optional means you'll have some guests come in tuxes, so I think "semi-formal" is your best bet!

I dont think you need to make a tell you guest what to wear. Especially when you are not wearing Tuxes, it can not be Black Tie.