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Dedicated October 2019

No dress code on invitation?

Jennifer future Mrs. K-H, on July 30, 2019 at 2:24 PM Posted in Planning 0 23

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I'm writing up the wording for our enclosure cards for our invitations (to go out this weekend!) but can't decide what to put as our dress code. Our ceremony is at 2pm in mid October. Our ceremony is taking place in my fiance's church, and the reception is immediately after at a banquet hall. We are having a DJ, no valet parking, and only beer&wine open bar, however, I am wearing a satin Aline gown and my FH is wearing a tux. We are serving a plated dinner. My bridesmaids are wearing floor length gowns and his groomsmen are wearing tuxes with satin lapels. What dress code should I put? I'm thinking of just not putting anything down and, knowing our friends and family, some will show up in dark suits, cocktail dresses or floor length dresses anyway. If you received an invitation to a wedding without a dress code, knowing the season, location, and time of day, what would you wear? Thanks.

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Latest activity by Jolie, on July 31, 2019 at 2:47 PM

VIP October 2019
Ivy ORP · on July 30, 2019 at 2:26 PM
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I would say semi-formal. Suits and fancy dresses but not necessarily all gowns and tuxes though some might go all out anyway. Unless you want the all out so then state attire shall be formal. We put this on our wedding website though, not the invitation.
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VIP October 2020
Kelly · on July 30, 2019 at 2:27 PM
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I've never seen dress code on an invitation. I think cocktail attire is fine if you want to list one.
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Legend November 2019
Caytlyn · on July 30, 2019 at 2:28 PM
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You shouldn't indicate any dress code on your invitation unless you're hosting a black tie event. The venue and invitation should reflect the formality of the event.
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Super September 2019
Meghan · on July 30, 2019 at 2:30 PM
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We didn't put anything about dress-code on the invitation but on our wedding website I put "Standard Wedding Attire." Pretty much everyone invited has been to at least one wedding in their life so I trust them to figure it out.
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Champion October 2018
Kelly · on July 30, 2019 at 2:30 PM
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I’ve never seen a dress code on an invitation unless it was black tie. The invitation, time, and venue should reflect dress code.
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Legend June 2019
Melle · on July 30, 2019 at 2:33 PM
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I would always wear semi formal though to a wedding aha I just it's just because it's nice being dressier for an event like that
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Devoted July 2021
Emily · on July 30, 2019 at 2:36 PM
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Same as previous poster...unless told otherwise I always wear semi formal or cocktail attire to a wedding.
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Dedicated October 2019
Jennifer future Mrs. K-H · on July 30, 2019 at 2:37 PM
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Thanks so much! This is very helpful. I was freaking out over here lol. I will just leave it off and trust they will Google our venue and show up looking good. Thanks again girls! God bless you!
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Dedicated July 2019
Rachel · on July 30, 2019 at 2:41 PM
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I didn’t put a dress code on our invites but I tried to set a tone with the style and formality of the invitation itself. We got married in a barn so a part of me was somewhat concerned about how some people may interpret that lol honestly I barely noticed what people were wearing but it seemed like everyone was dressed appropriately!
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Super October 2019
NextChapterReady · on July 30, 2019 at 2:58 PM
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I would put Black tie optional! That way they know it is fancy, but they can go as semi-formal as cocktail dress
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Super September 2019
Kim · on July 30, 2019 at 3:06 PM
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I did not put a dress code on mine, nor do I remember seeing dress codes on invitations I previously received. People know what to wear.
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Lady · on July 30, 2019 at 3:25 PM
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You don't need to put anything. Adults can dress themselves and will judge the formality based on the invite, venue, and time of day.
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Expert October 2020
Sara · on July 30, 2019 at 4:03 PM
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The only time I've seen a dress code on a wedding invite was to specify black tie. But if you feel like you have to put something g I'd put cocktail
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Champion December 2017
earias · on July 30, 2019 at 9:37 PM
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Black tie optional does not mean that. It means you are having a black tie event but the men have the option of wearing a tux or if they don't have a tux, then a dark suit is also acceptable (hence the "optional" part of "black tie optional"). Women are still expected to wear long evening gowns and the hosting is still expected to be impeccable (live band, top shelf open bar all night, valet parking, multi-course plated dinner, white glove service).
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Master October 2020
Mandi · on July 30, 2019 at 9:45 PM
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We just received a Save the Date in the mail for a wedding. When I checked the wedding website, the attire said formal. This is the first time I've ever seen a dress code listed for a wedding.

I'd probably wear something between black pants and a nice top and a cocktail dress. That's what I usually would wear to a wedding.
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Super July 2020
D · on July 31, 2019 at 2:30 AM
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You may choose not to do so but it is entirely acceptable to state the suggested dress code on the invitations or website.
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Dedicated June 2021
KimandLarry · on July 31, 2019 at 9:14 AM
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I've been thinking about the same thing. Our original wedding was in a park, so it wasn't a very formal affair, but people showed up in shorts and t-shirts and jeans. Mainly my husbands side because they're just not formal people. I'm not taking any chances this time as our renewal is in a ballroom. Dress code is definitely going on the website and will be spread by word of mouth. My husband is taking my mil shopping for a dress because she doesn't even own one.
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Super October 2019
NextChapterReady · on July 31, 2019 at 9:26 AM
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According to the Knot and literally every black tie optional wedding I've ever been to lol:

"If the invite says "formal" or "black tie optional"
The wording here suggests something slightly less formal than black tie. This means that a tuxedo isn't required, but the event is still formal enough for one to be appropriate.
He should wear:
A tuxedo or formal dark suit and tie.
She should wear:
A long evening dress, dressy suit or formal cocktail-length dress."
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Champion December 2017
earias · on July 31, 2019 at 12:37 PM
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My point was more about you using black tie optional and semi formal together. A black tie optional event is more about the option of style of clothing, not the hosting or formality. Also, it appears we agree that a semi formal dress is not appropriate for a black tie optional event because even if a cocktail dress is worn it has to be a certain length and should be formal.
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VIP September 2019
Yam · on July 31, 2019 at 12:57 PM
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My friend wrote semi-formal on his invitations and most of the guests wore flip flops and tshirts. You can write your chosen attire but not everyone is going to get it. You could post example photos on your website if you have one.

I always wear a full length or tea length dress, appropriate flats, tasteful jewelry. It doesn’t matter the formality, I want to show respect to the importance of the occassion without drawing attention to myself. I’ve been to every kind of wedding, they’re all important.
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No dress code on invitation?

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