What does Semi formal mean to you?

I think I would also take into account the location of the event before I decided. If it was at a more casual place, I would probably wear a nicer sundress (not beachY) with nice wedge sandals. If it was at a more upscale place, I would wear more of an "evening" style dress and shoes.

Semi formal is confusing. Just put cocktail attire.

Or put nothing because people know how to dress for a wedding. As you have figured out, dress codes mean different things to different people. For my Uncle Buck from up north, semi-formal just means he probably should take a shower.

I'd wear a really nice cocktail-length dress (or a more casual floor-length dress if I had one). Semi-formal is a bigger deal to my FH however, to him it means he has to wear a dark suit and can't go fratty colored pants with a sports jacket

Listing attire generally stresses me out, because I hate to be overdressed or underdressed, although my general rule of thumb is to err on the side of overdressed. Like Kristy said, it depends on where the wedding was, and if it was during the day or evening, if it were outside/inside, etc. If I could give advice, I would suggest leaving attire off of your invitations, and just let people assume what's appropriate based off the wedding location.

For example, I was invited to a wedding that was outside on a farm, and the reception was inside a barn. The meal was BBQ. So for this, I wore a nice summer/floral printed dress with wedges, which was perfectly appropriate.

We put the same thing. We'll be in the Santa Monica Mountains in June. Really I just don't want jeans, shorts, or flip flops (okay except the ones I'll be wearing under my dress for.the reception :p).

Otherwise, I think like what Kristy said is reasonable, but I personally wouldn't consider a sundress semi-formal (though would be fine with it at my wedding).

The ceremony is at a mid sized chapel, very bright with large windows but it is located on a local campus so it is not super churchy. The reception is a large ballroom style banquet hall (hard wood floors, chandeliers on site catering ect. ect.)

I have a simple ball gown dress with a lace overlay, the bridesmaids have tea length(ish) vintage style dresses, the groom will be wearing a vest and the groomsman will be wearing button downs with suspenders.

I agree, that could have a lot of variations. I would read that as a nice dress with heals and to have DH wear a button down with slacks. My mom might read that as a nice blouse and slacks or dressy Capri pants. Either way I would expect people to dress nice, but not super fancy.

What are you expecting?

Semi-formal in July for me means I'm wearing a fancy cocktail dress (and sleeveless because of the temperature). But that's pretty much my attire at any wedding unless I'm in the mood to wear a gown.

I would take semi formal to be the same as business attire. Men wear a suit (not a tux); women wear a dress/skirt or a dressy pant outfit.

To Kristy's point if the venue was more casual and you're asking me to dress semi formal, I'd wonder what's going on.

This is why you do not list attire, unless your wedding is black tie which has a specific meaning. Semi-formal is not well defined.

People can figure out how to dress themselves based on the time of day, venue, and formality of the invitation. Stating dress codes like this only make it more confusing for them.

Unless it's black tie (as in, true black tie), adding a dress code to an invitation is more confusing than helpful. Your venue, the time of day of the event, and the style of your invitation will give your guests a pretty good idea as to how they should dress. When I receive a wedding invitation, I know, through experience, that my husband will be in a suit and tie, and I will be in a simple, but elegant black cocktail dress with sparkly jewelry. Or, I might go with black evening pants and a silk blouse or a blouse with some embellishments. I might also go for an evening suit with a jacket that ties at the waist. Whatever I wear, I'll be carrying a nice evening bag. If I received an invitation that said, "semi-formal", I'd still wear the same thing (because that's what I feel is appropriate for weddings). However, some people will start googling it to find out what it means...and therein lies the problem.

Im curious to how you're HOPING people will dress. Also, what is your venue like? I mean.. if you just dont want jeans, etc. I am still a believe that the person who would ACTUALLY consider jeans appropriate at a wedding will still wear jeans no matter what it says on the invite.

And also.. this is something that didnt even cross my mind when wedding planning. I figure, weddings aren't anything new and people dont need to be told how to dress. I think most people "get it". And if someone did dress really casual... I still wouldnt be any less married, so.....

I don't think it it necessary to tell people how to dress.

ETA: Also... Everything that Centrepiece said. I think it will confuse people and/or stress them out.

To me it sounds like the groom and groomsmen will be a bit more casually dressed. If the groom is only wearing a vest, that doesn't say "semi-formal" attire to me.

Like others have said, it might be better to leave the dress code off. Besides I think we've all heard (or seen) situations that had a dress code and people still showed up in jeans.

A dress, usually knee length. Suit for guys.

I would think nice cocktail dress and suit for guys.

Semi-formal to me means cocktail attire. If it's in June I would be wearing a dress that might be an inch or two above my knees and for the men, they can wear a suit.

Well for some general information the attire being listed was only stated on our website not directly on the invitations

My FMIL has pushed for a VERY formal attire, which I do not feel is very appropriate for a July daytime wedding.

Im really hoping people will wear khakis and dress shirts possibly ties but definitely not suit jackets as it will be hot out or nice weather appropriate dresses but more upscale than an everyday sundress

Don't list attire. People know how to get dressed for a wedding, and if the don't, you're not going to change their mind, as in, "OMG , it's semi formal!!!!

they'll show up in whatever they planned anyway.

IMO, if I read semi-formal

ok, honey needs to wear slacks, button up long sleeve and tie. dickies not allowed (obviously not jeans PERIOD; that should be a given) For myself I would wear a short cocktail dress.

If I read business casual I would tell my honey to wear slacks/dickies and a nice button up. short or long sleeved. my self same- cocktail dress

ETA: My wedding venue

My wedding venue actually has a dress code because it's a private country club and their dress code will be on the insert card.