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Just Said Yes April 2020

Reception Formality

Nfb, on August 24, 2019 at 1:34 AM Posted in Planning 0 11
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Hello everyone! I am panicking. I don’t know how formal our wedding should be. Here’s the thing. My fiancé was the best man in a formal wedding this year, and they purchased his tux for him. The groom even said “Hey you can wear it at your wedding now too!” Great! Right? He looks so handsome in it, and I have a pretty formal dress. Plus, we’re on a tight budget, so it saves money. However, I have a few concerns. We live in Texas, and while the venue has been renovated to look more like a church on the inside (giant stained glass and all), it is still technically a barn, The reception dinner will be a buffet dinner (fajitas), and we will most likely serve wine, beer, and maybe champagne (open bar). I honestly don’t mind if guests wear dark jeans, nice boots, and a button-up shirt, but I don’t want to be the tacky host who’s overdressed. And does a semi-formal reception require formal dinnerware? I love the tux! But I’m so nervous about the whole thing. 😩 PLEASE be kind in your responses. I thought I’d never ask advice here because I’ve seen some very rude answers. Thank you!

11 Comments

Latest activity by Christina, on August 24, 2019 at 8:38 PM
  • Samantha
    Expert October 2019
    Samantha ·
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    I think that sounds wonderful! Its your wedding you can do it whatever way you'd like. We are doing a semi-formal wedding as well, my dad and FH dad is wearing nice pants, boots, and a button up shirt. I ordered nice disposable plates and cutlery off of Amazon, we are on a tight budget and I couldn't put $$$ into renting dishes for a crazy price. I think your wedding will be perfect! Do what works for you. I agree about being nervous posting on here, some responses are ridiculous and harsh without taking into consideration what other brides are going through.
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  • Andrea
    Super May 2020
    Andrea ·
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    If you and your fiancé want a formal wedding in a casual setting, do it!! It’s your wedding, and your day! Tell people “cocktail attire” then it’s open to what everyone is comfortable in, or tell them “formal” a renovated church like that sounds gorgeous and I wouldn’t think twice about having people dress up, no matter what you’re serving for dinner 😉
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  • Christina
    Dedicated October 2021
    Christina ·
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    Go with whatever you feel is best for you and your guests! I attended a fairly casual wedding last year, the bride/groom/bridal party were all well dressed of course because it’s a wedding after all! But for the reception guests were in jeans/nice tops and I don’t think it brought down the feels at all! You can’t be tacky dressed up more than your guests at your wedding in my option!
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  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    My husband wore a regular suit aha. Ours was more semi formal and that's fine because semi formal people would still dress really nicely
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  • Mcskipper
    Master July 2018
    Mcskipper ·
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    You guys are the stars of the party, it’s fine to be the best dressed of the bunch! — the opposite would be what might make people uncomfortable - a guest showing up in a tux to find the groom in jeans. I think it’s fine for a groom to get a little extra swanky even if it’s not the formal-est of affairs. I mean, the bride gets to wear a big fancy gown no matter the guest attire, why not the groom too?!
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  • Gen
    Champion June 2019
    Gen ·
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    I don’t think there’s such thing as being overdressed for your own wedding! Have him wear the tux!

    (ours was “semi formal” for guests as well but hubby and his groomsmen all wore tuxes!)
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  • Keri
    Expert November 2019
    Keri ·
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    I don't think bride/groom can be too formal unless it is more of like a backyard cook out. We too are having a range of formality aspects. Passed appetizers, but southwestern buffet. Industrial modern venue, but fun "cocktail cupcakes" (Champagne Manhattan and Hard Cider and Donuts).

    I think your wedding sounds great. People only care about the food, booze, and atmosphere of love and fun.

    Congrats!

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  • Melissa
    Devoted May 2021
    Melissa ·
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    I agree with others in that it’s your wedding so you should do whatever you like. We are doing a DW and I’m getting my dream wedding dress & my bridesmaids are getting whatever dresses they want in the color I chose. My groom & his guys are wearing khaki pants and a white button down & wearing sandals. I want everyone to be comfy.
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  • A
    Beginner August 2019
    Allison ·
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    I agree with all the other responses. It's your day! You should look and feel most faaaabulous on your wedding day. My wedding was outside on a bluff overlooking the Pacific ocean, our invitation listed European chic, or summer cocktail attire as the dress for guests, it was fine. Some were more casual than others which was okay. My dress was fabulously overdressed with crystals and beads with a 7ft train. The dress weighed 25lbs and I loved every moment of it! Be you, be fabulous, and create those wonderful memories! On the dinnerware, unless it is paper plates, no one is really going to remember what dinnerware you had, so pick what you love and move to the next task. Good luck....!!

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  • W
    VIP September 2020
    Willow ·
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    Aren't the hosts almost always more dressed up? The tux will be fine
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  • C
    Beginner October 2019
    Christina ·
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    People are going to expect the bride and groom to look the best! It's your day!
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