Reception dress code

“Island casual” screams shorts. If that’s the theme you’re going for, that’s great, but I don’t think you can exclude shorts if that’s the case.

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That is exactly my fear and I do not want people coming in shorts. We area having a Hawaiian themed reception so I want people to dress for the occasion but still be dressed up. The current wording I am think is : Tropical dressy casual. Just wondering if there is a better way to word it. Thanks!

I would leave out “ casual “

To me casual means shorts. I would put semi-formal if you want them dressed up.

I think the problem is that you are making up a dress code. There is no such thing as Island Casual or Tropical Dressy Casual. They don't exist.
I think the best you can do is indicate on the website (not the invitation) that the dress code is cocktail and have hints of your tropical theme on the invites and website. Those who want to participate in your theme can and those who don't will wear cocktail dress.

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I agree with this.

View Quoted Comment Yeah, people might take casual to the extreme and think shorts and stuff are appropriate- definitely leave that word out

My personal opinion is to leave "casual" out. I agree with previous posters when saying to put something along the lines of semi-formal. I know you're getting married in Hawaii and you want your theme to carry to your reception 2 months later, but if you put "Island casual" you're going to get people wearing shorts b/c a lot of people may not know what that is. It's not common dress code for weddings.

You could use "semi-formal beach" attire. My only concern is that people might not follow suite because they are not actually at the ceremony in Hawaii. I personally wouldn't purchase a specific themed attire for a wedding reception. I'd rather spend the money on a nice wedding gift.