Guest "Dress Code" for Spring Wedding?

No keep it at formal. You're saying the right words. Somewhere in these posts is a great infographic about what those words mean. I'm sure someone has it.

No such thing as black tie optional.

Adults should be able to figure out how to dress themselves for a wedding. If they ask, just remind them of that fact.

ETA: I should mention that an event is not just "declared" a black tie event to dictate how people dress. There are a number of requirements that have to be met for an event to be considered black tie, least of which is how guests are dressed.

Double post.

Adults should know how to dress for a wedding, so this is weird lol. Black tie optional is not a thing, either. I'd be a smartass and say something like "Your birthday suit".

Grown ups will dress for the venue and time of day. Don't impose a dress code, that's rude.

Black tie optional is not a thing!!!! Either it is black tie or it isn't.

@bemyguest thank you I'll try to find it!

@APD @EM I mean, there are definitely different levels of formality when it comes to weddings. Like I said, the wedding I recently went to was very dressy and most women wore long dresses, guys wore suits and it fit her wedding very well. But I've been to weddings where it's very very casual where khakis and sundresses are appropriate. So I think it's a fair question for guests to ask and for us to answer...

@jacks I don't think she was imposing, just asking how she should respond when people ask.

Don't give a dress code. Let adults dress the way they want.

@Jacks it's not us imposing a dress code, it's what we should tell guests who ask us what to wear.

Again, fine, I'll choose a different word. Don't tell guests what to wear. I'd say something like "oh I'm sure you know how to dress, but my mom is wearing a gown, and the guys are in suits" or some such.

I think "formal" will get the message across. You will have men in suits and women in long and short cocktail dresses. Is that what you are going for?

@lyla yes exactly! We don't want tuxes cause no one in the wedding party is wearing one. Just seems like there's a fine line I guess

Black tie optional doesn't exist. Don't tell anyone what to wear. Let adults dress like adults; it reflects on them, not you.

If they ask you, you can have an answer. If they don't ask, you don't tell them.

I'd just explain what the girls and guys are wearing and tell them what kind of venue it is.

@Celia, that's exactly what I am asking in my post.... for people who inquire....

I think semiformal is fine. That would be men in suits and woman in cocktail dresses.

Describe what the wedding party is wearing and leave them to decide for themselves.

Formal or "cocktail attire" will do just nicely.

BTO isn't a thing and Black Tie isn't a dress code; it's a set of requirements on the hosts' part. I think it's kind of pretentious honestly.

Even if "black tie optional" was a thing (which is isn't), it would mean that you are hosting a black tie wedding, but men in tuxedos and women in floor length gowns are optional for guests. So you absolutely should not state black tie optional to people who inquire. It's confusing and misleading.

The correct response for people who ask would be semi-formal or cocktail attire. This means cocktail dresses for ladies and suits for men.