Formality levels?

Semi formal?

We are kind of the same situation. I didn't put any attire requirement on our wedding as I think most adults know how to dress for a wedding. I think the only time you need to let guest know is if you want a "black tie" affair.

If your wedding is outside, people will assume it's a more casual affair. Ours is outside as well, and I'm guessing most women will be in sundresses, and most men will be in shorts or jeans and button downs. Typically the style of your invite sets the tone on attire, but I suppose you could explicitly state the dress code. Personally, I'm not.

The Knot has a good cheat sheet.

I didn't include the dress code on the invite itself, but I had it on one of the enclosure cards and in the FAQ section of our website.

A tent reception strikes me as "semiformal or cocktail" depending on the time of day.

You never list attire on your invitations. If you want to list it anywhere it would be on your wedding website or by word of mouth if people ask. I would say most people know how to dress for a wedding and can interpret how to dress by the formality of invitations but maybe say cocktail attire to those asking?

I think the only attire that would go on an invitation is "black tie" so no need to add it there. You can add something to the wedding website. Most people let the venue and the time of the day/night lead them towards what they should wear. I would say cocktail (semi formal) attire is the one that encompasses a lot of things without being so strict.

View Quoted Comment You think people will come to your wedding in shorts? Not even khakis? Even a casual looking invitation wouldn’t tell my FI to wear shorts!

Atleast cocktail attire for your wedding OP. I have a friend getting married outside plus tent in May and they have spent $$$,$$$ so it will be horrible if someone shows up looking crazy in shorts of a button down.

I would not put anything on the invite unless you are doing black tie. Anyone who asks about my wedding, we are getting married on a working farm and our wedding is in a barn (but that's where the rustic ends), so when anyone asks I tell them affair casual - whatever that means to them. Honestly if anyone where jeans its not my problem, I know one of my uncles will show up in jeans and hey he is an adult, who am I to say anything?

Semi formal, business casual. It all depends on the vision for your day and the venue. Is the picture you included your ceremony space? And is the tent one of those nicer tents that has lights and a dance floor and everything? If so, I think semi-formal would be appropriate. So like sundresses for the women and slacks and a nice shirt for the guys

I would say cocktail attire or garden party to the people who ask

I would not list a dress code on your invites. It can be interpreted as rude, and confusing. "Semi-formal" means different things to different people. Some pps have interpreted "semi-formal" to mean sundresses for example, where I interpret it to mean cocktail party dresses.

What we did-

-Picked an invite that matched the level of formality we envisioned (cocktail dresses, men in ties).

-Posted pictures of the venue on the website.

-If anyone asked what to wear, we noted what the wedding party and parents would be wearing. For example, we'd say, "The bridesmaids and mothers are wearing long gowns, and the groomsmen and fathers will be in suits". Most people understand that the wedding party and immediate family will dress a little fancier than the average guest, and will adjust from there.

View Quoted Comment Yes and yes, it’s a “permanent” tent with AC and everything! Semi formal sounds like what I’m going for. Thank you!

View Quoted Comment Perfect, thank you. So true that “semi formal” means different things to different people. I like the idea of just telling them what the parents and wedding party are wearing. Thanks!!

I would list this information somewhere. I've been invited to weddings and have had no idea what to wear! I wound up asking a bridesmaid the night before and even she didn't know what to tell me. They had everything from jeans to semi-formal show up.

I'm having the same troubles because mine is located at at a historic place where you can walk around and go into houses. And we're having a very very casual picnic dinner. I don't want guests to be in T-Shirts but I don't want them to be uncomfortable when they go walk around.

I have been telling everyone dressy casual! I don't know if that's a thing, but that's what I'm saying! Not formal, but not dress down either. Does any of what I'm saying make sense?? Lol

View Quoted Comment

No problem- giving specific examples like that helps people visualize way better than a category that means different things to different people. Honestly, that's what I would most want to know when I attend a wedding to help me figure out what to wear- what is the WP wearing?

The pp's who have told you that it is not proper to list attire on or with the invitation are correct. It comes off as you feeling that your guests wouldn't know how to dress without your instructions. The only time attire can be mentioned on invitations is if the wedding is truly "black tie", and that doesn't just mean that he groom is wearing a tuxedo. Black tie involves a lot more- valet parking,top shelf liquor at an open bar, live band, passed apps, multi course plated dinner service (often orders are taken at the table). etc.

You can include information on your website. I loved the suggestion of answering questions by telling them what the VIP's are wearing rather than telling your guests what to wear.