Guest attire

Semi-formal sounds like it would be good, then!

Maybe cocktail? I feel like the word cocktail really eliminates jeans as an option whereas semi-formal or dressy-casual might have wiggle room for some.

I would say cocktail attire.

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This totally depends on your guests, but I don't feel like dress-codes are always necessary. Outdoor garden weddings to me always mean a sundress or maxi dress, and I've literally never seen anyone at a wedding in jeans or wearing a t-shirt ever. Of course I know it happens, but it's a kind of "know your crowd" type of thing. If you have a number of guests likely to show up in casual clothing unless told otherwise, then I'd definitely have a dress code. In general, if your friends tend to dress too casual, I'd err on the side of making the dress code sound a little more formal than what you want (avoid the word "casual" altogether), and if your friends tend to overdress, then I'd use a term that sounds a little more laid back.

If you can't find a dress code word that works for you, you can always state very specifically "collared shirts for men, no jeans," sort of like restaurants do. If there are one or two guests you are particularly concerned with you can reach out to them individually. I told one of my husband's friends "no shorts" after hearing he wore shorts to a different friend's wedding. He was totally fine with it, not offended at all and appreciated the heads up, and we all had a good laugh.

I would say "semi formal" or "cocktail attire". I think to a normal person that is a short dress or jumpsuit for women, and slacks and a button down (no tie or jacket) for men. Inevitably someone will be over dressed, and some will be under dressed. We had a semi-formal/formal (more formal) wedding and a guy showed up in CARGO SHORTS. He looked totally out of place. Everyone else was in nice clothing.

People generally wear semi-formal/Sunday best by default at a wedding. Unless your wedding is very casual or a super formal dress code is required for entry to the venue, it's not polite to mention the dress code.

We're doing outdoor in September. Ours is listed as Semi-Formal but with a subheading stating no jacket required. Like you I don't want people showing up in jeans but it's probably going to be 75-80 degrees so I don't expect the guys invited to show up in suits

On our website, I put, "semi formal, but we'll be outside, so keep that in mind when choosing your shoes."

Is this a regional thing? Wearing jeans and t-shirts to weddings? I ask because I see a lot of brides worried about this. But why should they? I would NEVER consider jeans and a t-shirt appropriate to wear to a wedding. Even a more "casual/laid back" wedding.

I've attended a lot of weddings in my life, and never have I seen anyone wear that. Everyone knows that weddings demand a more dressed up look.