Half-dressed wedding guests

You can't tell grown adults how to dress. What would you do, have someone 'dress code check'ing them like a middle school dance? Make them leave if their skirt doesn't reach their fingertips? How do you determine how much cleavage is too much cleavage? Short of picture illustrations, I don't see how this is possible. Also, I guarentee your elderly guests have seen worse.

You really can't tell another adult what to wear. If you are worried about what they will show up in, dont invite them.

Now I just saw another question about dress codes that was not met with so much hostility. I agree you cant tell grown people what to wear but grown people should also know not to go to a formal wedding dressed like they are coming for a strip club either. ijs

Agree with the above advice. Let it go.

Have your ceremony outside in December... that should get those provocative ladies to cover up.

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This is coming off as pretty judgmental. If you're wedding really is a formal venue/style then put the attire on your wedding website. Have it ask for formal or semi-formal, but just so you know this looks different to about every person out there so even with this you could get people dressing in a way YOU don't consider formal, but they do.

It's not really something that can be policed.

How bout you just don’t police other women’s bodies?

If these are coworkers, don't invite them. You really won't miss them.

My wedding website has a "events" section where there's a dress code suggestion, where we put "cocktail." I'm trusting my guests to know how to dress within that parameter.

You don't get to tell adults how to dress.

How could it it possibly detract from your wedding if someone shows some skin?

Sad that some adults don't know how to properly dress for a wedding. I'm not really sure how you would go about conveying this though. Maybe mention through conversations about your planning that your wedding is a family event that will include children. If they do show up dressed inappropriately it will reflect poorly on them, not you, but I definitely understand your concern.

I’m sorry to say but that is not your call to make. You’d be better off choosing to not invite them if you have high concerns for their choice in formal wear.

There's no polite way to tell adults how to dress. Just put "formal attire requested" on your website, or have "formal reception to follow" on your invite.
If you're having a modest dress code due to strict religious rules, then say that. I've been to mormon weddings where it was explicity state that shoulders and knees had to be covered.

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Now thats funny!

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Yes, it is modest due to religion. Thanks!

I recently went to a wedding where the bridesmaid dresses were SUPER short and all the bridesmaids were very tall. Was it distracting? Yes. Could I literally see half the girls' underwear? Yes. Was I mad about it? Not really, because it's not my wedding and not my body. You can't tell people how to dress, and it's offensive to try.

View Quoted Comment Are you being married in a house of worship? Is the reception in a religious place?

Thanks Tara! That was the best advise. I will let them know that due to religious reasons I'd prefer that they are modest in their attire. Thanks so much! Perhaps I will had a little note in the invite.

View Quoted Comment This is really only okay if your wedding is in a venue that justifies those rules, though - like your church.

I would be offended if a bride or groom told me how to dress for their wedding.