What to call the guest attire?

You could say cocktail style or dressy casual.

These were listed at

https://www.brides.com/story/wedding-dress-code-explained#toc-semi-formal-or-dressy-casual

You can also add a note to a FAQ page on a website if you have one.

I agree that the guests can figure things out based on the general guidance to the dress code plus the venue.

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Thanks for the information, the website is very helpful for describing the attire types. Honestly stuck between cocktail and semi-formal. They both sound similar and what I would be looking for.

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I sort of think cocktail sounds more casual based on the name. But really either one gets people close enough to your objective.

Stick to the original names. When you make up cute names, it only confuses people instead of helping them.


In many circles, semi formal/cocktail is the unspoken default. That is the attire that you see in the movies. Among many social circles, the only time that dress code should be listed on the invitation instead of word of mouth is black tie, because a number of venues require it for guests to enter the premises.
While websites are popular among many, an equal number don’t make them as a couple, nor do they visit a guest. So never assume that every wedding has a website because some couples and families stick to the age old details card.

View Quoted Comment Thanks for your information!


I am not sure if you misread something, but I definitely never assumed that all weddings have websites. Mine does though. I created it myself and shared the link on the save the dates and actually more people than I thought viewed it so definitely no issues there.
A lot of my family are either younger or tech savvy so we haven’t had much issues. I’m definitely not expecting everyone to rsvp through the website or even look at it. It’s just nice to have incase people do look and it’s a great place to save my wedding memories.
Most of the recent weddings in our family have included a website so they should be used to it by now. Also, the only reason I am including attire on the card and website is because I know my family(crazy and inner conflicts). Word of mouth is great but not with my family. I don’t need someone showing up casual because another person told them that’s what the attire was.

I appreciate your input and I definitely will not be using any weird names for it. I will be going for formal.

Etiquette-wise, the only dress code on an invitation should be if it’s black tie. Otherwise the venue and formality of the event should indicate to guests what’s expected.

Cocktail Attire or Semi-Formal is right.