Is it rude to request Dress Code?

Thank you for all of the advice and nice comments about the venue! I hope it will look even better after decor. @ Liz S. That is a good idea! I realize you get alot more information to your wedding party and guest through a website so I am in the process of perfecting mine so that I can share with them. My reception will be in the evening so hopefully that will help people be more aware of attire. HOPEFULLY lol

I don't think it's rude at all if it's not an inconvenience to your guests. Black tie might inconvenience people who can't afford a tux or gown, but cocktail attire like you said is completely fine. I had a dress code on our wedding website- I asked guests to wear 'high tea attire' since we had a tea party theme. My guests actually had a lot of fun with it- some even wore gloves and fascinator hats!

Please, please, please, keep in mind that the words formal, semi-formal and the like mean something very specific.

Technically, Black Tie attire is semi-formal and white tie or morning dress is considered formal. Black tie specifies that all men are to be in tuxedoes and women in cocktail dresses or gowns. White tie will have men in tuxedo pants, white coats, etc. Morning dress is a very specific form of formal attire for a formal early day event. It's typical grey in color, includes a top hat, tails, etc.

If you want to specify 'Black Tie' then do so on your invitations.

However if you want people to know that this event is upscale but you don't want to 'force' people to wear black tie you can use the wording, "Black tie invited" in the invitations. It means you are inviting people to wear black tie but it's not mandatory.

I think it's helpful to give people an idea of what is expected. Just make sure you use the correct term. "Formal" usually means a lot more than just "no jeans" and "Black Tie" usually means tuxes for men and long gowns for women. Google the terms to find the right one. You may just want to say Cocktail Attire.

I would put it on your wedding website. Before we moved venues, the country club we were having it at had a strict dress code. I just copied and pasted it from the info onto the website.

I was thinking of putting "Attire is the perfect combination of comfortable meets classy" or something to that effect.. I don't need black ties, but I know some people that wear jeans and moccasins *coughcough*mother*coughcough* that I'd prefer they not....... as long as they aren't being told to wear emmy award dresses with Dulce and Gabbana suites, think it will be just fine to request formal attire.

Dangit Jen, I was going to wear my emmy dress

My FH and I are having a Black and White wedding and have requested that everyone wear B&W to the wedding. At the bottom of the invite we wrote "Please attending wearing black and white attire", and we put it on our site as a reminder. I've seen people wear some really casual clothes to weddings and it drives me crazy.

Everything you do, from the save the dates to the invites to your website to the choice of venue will add to the clues, but no, it's not rude to specify dress; it lets people know what to wear so they'll feel comfortable; not under or over dressed.

Black tie may keep people away though. Dress to impress? (not dress to depress, lol)

C

Celia just stated a great way to say it...."Dress to impress"

We actually have a dress code, Ours is for people to be casual but where a tshirt for a charity of there choice sense Im doing a charity wedding

I like the idea of making a little note that it is an "elegant affair" on the invite and ur website...that should do the trick

Sorry Judith. It's formal attire, not red carpet attire. You don't believe there is a difference? there is. One is FAB-U-LOUS! The other is just respectful.

I definitely feel like it would be completely fine. i mean, this is your WEDDING we're talking about.. not some birthday bash or something

I think it's fine to include it on your website so long as your event warrants it. It seems like it does, and I agree with those who have said to be VERY careful because there is a difference bw "Black tie" "formal" and "semi-formal" etc.

Also, if you are specifically worried about just a few guests (ex: only Uncle Jesse and Uncle Joey showing up in sports jerseys), say something to Uncle Danny or someone close to them to make sure they are kept in check.

My venue has a strict restriction on high heels so we plan to make that very clear, as quite a few of my girl friends LOVE their pumps. I think as long as it's reasonable and your event matches your request, you're fine.

Fine, Jen. My emmy dress was white anyway, I hear that's a no-no too...

I don't think its rude at all...In fact I think that is to be expected...ps your venur is absolutely amazing

Beautiful venue, I love it,

Our website will have a question dedicated to this on our FAQs page. We will request cocktail attire.

And yes, people do show up to weddings in jeans and casual shoes. I've also seen people do this at funerals, and it REALLY bothers me. Have some respect!

Your venue is really beautiful! It seems to send a clear message "please leave sneakers at home" :-)