Wedding attire-guest

Your venue and invitation should convey the formality of the event, it's not typically necessary to dictate a dress code. Black tie is a level of hosting that entails a multi-course plated dinner, valet parking, top shelf open bar, a live band, etc. Unless you're hosting a black tie event, you shouldn't expect that attire from your guests.

My website give an option to add a level of dress code- looks like this.
I wanted cocktail optional but my bridesmaid mentioned it’s too hot in August to ask guests to wear gowns. So I deceived in cocktail attire. I make no mention of it on the invitation just on the website.

I wanted black tie optional**

View Quoted Comment Okay I like how you are very specific on describing what you thinking as far as the attire. I’m sure it’s very helpful to the guest

View Quoted Comment I also have in the faq that my bridesmaids will be wearing black and if people wish they can avoid wearing that color.. I don’t mind if people are wearing black but someone mentioned that they didn’t want to wear the same color as the bridal party so I threw it up there lol. Something else to think about.

View Quoted Comment I really didn’t think of that, Thank you!! I wouldn’t want colors clashing and stuff

I wrote formal attire requested on my wedding website

If you say black tie attire you actually have to host a black tie event which has a lot of aspects to it.


We just said semi-formal

We didn't indicate any form of dress code anywhere. As Caytlyn mentioned, well let our venue and such indicate the formality of the event (Saturday evening at a country club). Everyone wore suits and cocktail length or long dresses (it was a heat wave in July so wasn't expecting many long dresses).

Our venue is outdoors, along a creek, and will be hosted at night. We put a note on the back of the invite that said "cocktail attire requested" we also let them know it was an outdoor venue and to please dress appropriately. Our guest list is so small that a website was not warranted.


I personally don't find it bad to put attire requests on an invite. As a guest, I like to know from the get go what the expectation for the evening is. I am not one to do much searching online.

We said black tie optional and thankfully no one wore sneakers or jeans lol

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That's my fear,sneakers or jeans lol

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I agree, its lets them plan ahead as well!