In between wedding & reception ideas

Actually it really does. "Waste of money" and "black tie affair" do not go together in the same post. If you are having a budget event, it is not a black tie event. If you are having a dry wedding, it is not a black tie event. Black tie means a lot more than top notch appetizers and fancy desserts. Are you having your wedding after 6 pm, with formal stationery, complimentary valet service, a multi-course meal with gloved waiters, multi-piece live band, top shelf open bar? If not, then it's not a true black tie event and you shouldn't tell your guests to dress as such. You can have a very lovely semi-formal event without alcohol and your guests will dress nicely for your wedding without having to go to the trouble and expense of dressing for a black tie event.

I completely agree that the OP should put the dress code as semi-formal rather than black tie or even black tie optional. Black tie is only for weddings starting at 6 pm or later and there is always alcohol involved! We actually had a 6 pm wedding, 9-piece live band, full open bar, multi course plated meal, and we didn't even have our attire as black tie optional! We put "cocktail attire" on our wedding website, and everyone showed up in suits and nice dresses to match the formality of the event since they knew it was at a fancy venue. I think the OP should maybe reconsider having her attire as "black tie"

No problem!