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Just Said Yes November 2021

Guest Dress Attire

Daiisy, on July 12, 2021 at 11:47 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 20
Hi ladies! Are any of you putting any type of wording for dress code in your wedding invitation? If so, how are you wording it? I'm not sure if to do so, I feel like guest should already know this.

20 Comments

Latest activity by Jacks, on July 18, 2021 at 7:14 PM
  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle ·
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    No because dress code is not listed on the invitation according to proper etiquette. Unless the venue requires a dress code for entry (similar to the Oscars for example) it doesn’t go on the invitation but is assumed to be default semi formal which most guests will automatically wear. You can mention it on the website or by word of mouth.

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  • I_Do_Too
    Devoted September 2020
    I_Do_Too ·
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    Putting it on website: cocktail/semi-formal
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  • Emilia
    Super June 2019
    Emilia ·
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    Hi ! I've just got this in an invitation : "No dress code, but the white is reserved for the bride".

    I think that most of your guests will just know what (not) to wear... It's worth mentioning when you do want them to put on some special colors.

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  • Ariel
    Devoted October 2021
    Ariel ·
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    I put formal (black tie optional) on the details card and the website. I’ve been to a lot of “formal” weddings where guest wear semi formal so I hope the black tie optional opposed to just formal encourages people to dress up
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  • April
    Dedicated September 2021
    April ·
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    Unfortunately I do have a few family members who just can not dress appropriately for weddings so on the details card at the bottom in smaller font I put “please not cocktail attire requested” I also picked a little bit fancier invites to convey they but I know that doesn’t always get noticed. I’m hoping the small note will just remind people not to wear shorts and polo shirts like they’ve done numerous times in the past.
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  • Sara
    Dedicated September 2021
    Sara ·
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    We listed our dress code on a details card to go with out invitation suites and also on our website!

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  • Jessi
    Super October 2022
    Jessi ·
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    Like April, we have family members who will show up in jeans if we didn't mention anything. I am for sure mentioning the attire on the website and may mention it on the detail cards as well.

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  • Nisha
    Expert May 2022
    Nisha ·
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    If you want semi-formal or formal be sure to say that. Most people know to wear their Sunday best to a wedding... but my fiance went to a friend's wedding on the lake Saturday where it was specified "casual" and people showed up in short, sleeveless undershirts, shirts with sleeves removed, and flip-flops. He was overdressed in jeans, boots, and a button down shirt. Needless to say, the bride cried.

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  • Nisha
    Expert May 2022
    Nisha ·
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    Girl, not everyone. My dad's ex-girlfriend showed up in a white dress for my wedding. I had to stop my friends from "accidently" spilling a drink on her.

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  • SLY
    Master January 2022
    SLY ·
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    We aren't including a details or RSVP card, and we're not including it on our invitation. We do have that information on our website under FAQs, and it's also going to pop up when they RSVP online.

    We just put "Cocktail or Semi-Formal Attire"

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  • Emilia
    Super June 2019
    Emilia ·
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    OMG, really ?? She didn't know or did that on purpose...? Smiley surprise

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  • Nisha
    Expert May 2022
    Nisha ·
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    She said casual, because it was on the lake. I don't think she expected them to take it so far.
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  • Nisha
    Expert May 2022
    Nisha ·
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    Oops... wrong thread.


    She did it on purpose. I think she was hinting to my dad that she wanted to get married... but my wedding was not the place.
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  • Pat
    Rockstar May 2023
    Pat ·
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    If you saw "business casual" on my wedding website, what would you wear? Just curious- I might change the wording if you think that people would wear shorts. I am aiming for summer comfort like khakis and collared shirt for guys and sundresses or slacks with nice top for gals.
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  • Yasmine
    Master October 2020
    Yasmine ·
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    We didn't list anything on the invitation itself, we did put the requested attire on our wedding website though. We did cocktail attire.

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  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    I put it on my FAQ on my webpage that semi formal would be great!

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  • Samantha
    Expert December 2021
    Samantha ·
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    We don't have a wedding website, so we had "Cocktail Attire" on the bottom of the invitation.
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  • Allie
    VIP November 2021
    Allie ·
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    We are putting it on our wedding website and probably our invitations as well because unfortunately, we have people who won't dress for the occasion unless they're told to. We put "semi-formal attire, please leave white for the bride." Something simple so people know how to dress.

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  • anna
    Devoted October 2019
    anna ·
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    Instead if "business casual" you should say "dressy casual." business casual implies office attire!

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  • Jacks
    Rockstar November 2054
    Jacks ·
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    The only time a dress code should be on an invitation is for Black Tie. Even then, it really is only describing a level of formality for the event, not an actual level of dress. The style of invitation and the venue will indicate the type of dress that will be appropriate. The problem with using things like "casual semi-formal" or "dressy casual" is that it confuses people.

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