Semi formal vs Formal

I think it depends on how formal your venue looks and the kind of food you're having, etc. i went semi formal and this was my venue. also depends on the kind of vibe you want. i wanted semi formal because i thought formal would be too much for mine when it was more casual than that

Formal insinuates that female guests should wear a floor length gown and typically men should be in black tie.

Semi formal means that women can wear cocktail dresses and men can get away in a regular suit and or skip a suit jacket.

I am having a beach ceremony but we are still requesting semi formal because our ballroom reception is gorgeous and formal.

I agree that your venue and overall ambiance, etc. should match whatever you might suggest as a dress code (on the wedding website or through word-of-mouth, since only truly "Black Tie" is appropriate for an invitation, itself). For a wedding where "formal" is suggested (which I would interpret as wear a long, fancy dress for me and a dark suit or tux for H), I'd expect the wedding gown to be very formal and the G, GM, and fathers likely in tuxes. I'd anticipate a very formal venue (e.g., high-end hotel ballroom/country club/etc.), well-decorated in a tasteful way (e.g., not a lot of DIY, not saying it isn't tasteful, but I don't think a bunch of chalkboard or wooden signs/wine bottle decor/etc., sends a message of "formal"). I'd also anticipate a multi-course plated meal, full open bar, very formal table settings, etc. I think "semi-formal" gives a bit more "wiggle room." A nice, street-length cocktail dress and a sport coat (or possibly just a shirt and tie in warm weather), would be appropriate, but if a guest wore a less formal long dress it wouldn't be crazy/unacceptable. While I'd certainly enjoy all the things I described above as my take on more formal, at a semi-formal wedding, I'd be less surprised to find a buffet and/or somewhat less formal food, like higher-end catered BBQ or Mexican, or surprised by only wine & beer, etc. I also think one needs to be careful with more themed-dress codes (for me, I'd be confused about "Formal Hawaiian," so I'd appreciate some description of suggestions on the website).

(And, just for clarity, a truly "Black Tie" wedding has a long list of specific requirements that have to do deal with the overall level of hosting even more than the attire. I know OP didn't suggest that, but for readers who may not understand it's not just about everyone looking extra fancy.)

I'm not sure what hawaiian formal is, but a formal wedding will cost a lot more just because black tie typically means valet, coat check, full band, plated several course meal, top shelf open bar, favors, menus, programs, etc. I would just do semi formal.

View Quoted Comment Yeah it is tricky to match the wedding ambiance with semi formal vs formal which is why I asked to get more information. Our Wedding will be in home, outdoor Ceremony and Reception in the back yard (1 acre) in Hawaii. The wedding is elegant but we also have traditional requirements that are going to be met. Hula, And Fire Knife Dancing and the the Imu but tourism and "Hawaiian Luau" leaves an awful taste in mouth because it has been white washed. I don’t know how to describe out wedding because traditionally it is formal and elegant but it’s not. Black Tie, formal and it’s definitely not Hawaiian Wear!!

View Quoted Comment With this description I would definitely go semi-formal, not formal! Sounds like itll be amazing.

We are having our ceremony on the beach with a cocktail reception following on a hotel deck. We don’t want anyone dressing formal, and are telling people that he isn’t wearing a suit so neither should anyone else (he’s wearing a linen outfit). For the women we’re suggesting nice summery dresses. While we are not making this a dress code, nor are we telling anyone what to wear, we are getting a lot of positive responses from people who are happy they don’t have to dress to the nines. I think if you let people know about your venue (since it sounds nontraditional), they will be able to figure out how to dress for the setting. I also don’t see anything wrong with throwing out suggestions for attire.