Is it rude to request Dress Code?

We're not having a dress code, but I don't think it's rude to ask for one. I've been to a bunch of weddings where they had a dress code. It never came off to me as rude.

Add *Formal reception to follow* on the invites, and people should understand that means no jeans or sneakers.

If you want "black tie", it is an expense for your guests. Those who don't own a tux have to rent one. The ladies have to wear a gown, which can be costly. If your celebration justifies having a black tie affair, just understand many guests may not be able to incur this addtional expense to attend the wedding.

As far as issuing other dress codes, I think your guests would have the common sense to know not to show up at a wedding in casual attire. Your invitation style and your venue of choice will tell them that. If you have a website, you could post it on there as well.

If you want "black tie", it is an expense for your guests. Those who don't own a tux have to rent one. The ladies have to wear a gown, which can be costly. If your celebration justifies having a black tie affair, just understand many guests may not be able to incur this addtional expense to attend the wedding.

As far as issuing other dress codes, I think your guests would have the common sense to know not to show up at a wedding in casual attire. Your invitation style and your venue of choice will tell them that. If you have a website, you could post it on there as well.

We aren't doing a "black tie" dress code but I did put on our website that we would like people to dress appropriately for church. I put no sweats, jeans, etc. on our website and directed them to wear semi-formal attire/cocktail attire.

No I know some people that requested all her guest wear white...so it is up to you...

Well, there's a difference from requesting all guests to wear white and not wanting your guests in sneakers. But Carole is right, I wouldn't go for "black tie" either, but more for "formal or cocktail attire".

Do you really think people will show up in T-shirts? What's your venue like?

I agree that just putting something like: "Formal reception to follow" or "black-tie affair" on your invitations would fine. If you don't expect people to wear tuxes or ball gowns, but want to encourage nicer attire, you could also put "semi-formal dress affair." The good thing about having a website is that you can explain in a little more detail under the "ceremony and reception" tab, just say that you want people to dress in their Sunday best but to be comfortable.

I agree with the others comments. And most people know that evening weddings tend to be dressier than day time events.

I think it depends on your affair. You know your guests.

My wedding is in the middle of the day so it's not going to be black tie, which is semi-formal. White tie is formal.

My wedding will be suit and tie for the guests.

However, if it was in the evening...I would ask for evening wear because as Kristi said, evening weddings are more dressy.

There's nothing wrong with specifying a genre of clothing...

Do people really show up to weddings in sweats/jeans/tshirts? Is nothing sacred anymore?

You can request black tie or white tie, but those are very specific dress codes and your guests will expect a very formal, fancy affair. There are actually definitions for black tie and white tie events, I'd look that up and make sure your event meets the criteria before asking your guests to go rent tuxes.

I think most people dress themselves appropriately for weddings, I wouldn't worry about it. If your invitations are formal-looking and your reception is in the evening, people will dress up. I've never seen anybody show up to a wedding in sneakers or tshirts, and I've been to weddings in parks, barns, and backyards.

I have seen ppl show up in Jeans and flip flops to evening weddings at hotels and such, so if its a big deal to you I would state that on the invite. We made ours semi-formal because we didnt want people to have to pay for a tux and formal gown.

I guess black tie was not the correct wording but FORMAL. My venue is the Mason Murer Fine Art Gallery. @ Mrs. S. I would hope that people would not show up to my wedding in T-shirts but you never know. Some parts of my family are so laid back and some of them ive never seen wear suits or ties so i just rather be safe than sorry. I would hate to have this elegant wedding and someone in a photo with a sports jersey on lol ( thats exxaggerating but you really never know)

This is just the cocktail hour and reception venue. My wedding will be at a church!

Judith....I was thinking the same thing. HOwever, at my wedding, a DW B&B with a biker theme, I noted, "Leather Optional" on our website so my guests knew that if they wanted to wear their riding vests, and jeans they could. However, the overwhelming majority of the guests were in dress clothes.

Yes.

@Diandrea, I love your venue!

Can you just spread the word to the people you know are laid back that it's going to be a pretty elegant affair? Or put something on your website? And does the gallery have a dress code? If so, it's fair to include that information, if guests would truly be turned away if they showed up in flipflops or something.

If somebody doesn't get the hint after that, they probably wouldn't get the hint from the invitation either. And I think it's kind of weird to request it on the invitation unless it's actually black or white tie. Just IMO.

You're going to have such a beautiful wedding!

Your venue is amazing! I'm having a lunch/morning wedding, and my family is laid back as well. I'm in the same boat as you, though. I don't want t-shirts and jeans, and I'm afraid that since it is a mid-day event, people will be more than casual in attire. I put on my wedding website, under the "ceremony" tab, that it will be an "outdoor business-casual event." Hopefully this and word of mouth will help everybody get the picture.

It is absolutely acceptable to specify a dress code for a wedding. if you do not want to go all out for black tie, you can also state 'black tie optional' which gives people the idea that it is a formal affair (but does not necessitate their spending money to be dressed appropriately). ours says "cocktail attire and dancing shoes requested"

which we thought made it sound formal but fun at the same time. )