Semi-formal vs Formal

Formal -black suit and long ball gowns

Semi- short cocktail dress and shirt/tie

Bm could also wear short dresses if semi

I got the attire part down. I'm talking about time of event , dinner options and etc.

I am thinking (i may be wrong) semi formal is buffet style meals. Whereas formal maybe plated dishes (chicken or fish) kinds of deals

Formal-formal is black tie which is has certain criteria to follow.

I'd call my wedding semi formal but it's at night, with dinner, and reception with dancing. I'm doing a buffet only because it was less expensive, however, that is not always the case, there are some brides here that are serving plated meals and said the buffet option was more expensive. It depends on the venue I would say a casual or garden wedding would be an afternoon or brunch wedding. You can do semi or formal at night with dinner and full reception.

Most will assume semi formal or formal has more to do with attire.

We are going semi because of our guests. They're not really the kind of people that are down for tuxedos and plated meals. They're cool with buffets and suits. So think about your guests.

Honestly you will have a wide gap of area. You have true formal black tie where they have certain criteria to meet, including time of day. The next area is a very huge gray area where guests can where what they want and it can be what ever you want. The only other one is knowing it's a super casual wedding.

I know we do plan to have a plated meal. We want a pretty late reception our people like to party.

We listed "cocktail" attire, which is essentially semi-formal, but I think sounds better.