What's the dress code at your wedding? How did you describe it?

I'm letting adults be adults and pick the appropriate attire.

I hate when people tell me what to do, so why would I do that to anyone else?

I'd like to do that as well, but I'd also like a response if they ask what they should wear, which many have. Maybe this is a specific issue with my group of guests but we're getting this question a lot.

I don't want the response to be: "I'll let you be an adult and pick the appropriate attire"

People know how to dress themselves for special events. Let adults be adults and dress themselves.

The overall formality/vibe of your wedding is also formed from the basis of your invitations.

We are saying cocktail attire, but it sounds like your wedding is slightly more casual or maybe outside? As long as people know what the venue is like, I would just let them decide what they will be comfortable in. If people are really unsure they will ask you, and you can give them the explanation you described here. I think that will be enough

"The wedding is not super formal, so whatever you are comfortable wearing is fine."

Don't tell guests how to dress, their attire doesn't make you any less married at the end of the day.

Dressy casual is extremely confusing.

Boudreau's response is perfect.

@ LeahH - this is good: "Anything you wish to wear that is in good taste we are sure will be okay."

I may have an op opinion on this one but when my cousin got married last year I asked her how formal (buisness casual, cocktail, or super formal evening gowns). Her response was whatever you want to wear and it was extremely frustrating for me. I had 3 kids, fh and myself to shop for and I didn't want to be over or under dressed. If they ask tell them, depending on how close you are with them send them some inspiration, if not leave it alone. grown people can dress themselve and their going to wear what they want to wear not matter what you tell them (except the bridal party..... Hopefully lol). But I think if they ask they want your input and I don't see an issue with giving it.

ETA: all these comments popped up after I wrote mine, maybe my opinion isi't so unpopular after all.

Our website says "Formal: Suit & Tie, Dresses". We are at a church then a ballroom, and I absolutely support providing dress code advice. Guests do not want to feel under or overdressed, so help them! You could possibly say "Country Club Attire: Khakis & Polos, Sundresses"

Let adults dress themselves. Unless they have to hike up a mountain or stand out in 40 degree weather unexpectedly, they should be fine.

The only exception is black tie when it truly is black tie.

I wouldn't even put it in the FAQ's because truly, it's not an FAQ.

Your invites, your choice of venue, your time of day should give them a clue, but at every wedding, there are people under and over dressed. I wouldn't worry about it.

I mean, yes adults know how to dress themselves, but if I were a guest at your wedding with no guidelines I would arrive overdressed, according to the picture you have in your head.

What you describe is significantly more casual than most wedding guest outfits. (Typically men wear suit pants and a button down shirt, jacket or tie optional, women in dresses or pantsuits, high heels are common)

I think this is an exception to the "let adults dress themselves" guideline.

@Jaxz, thanks - I am getting this "her response was whatever you want to wear and it was extremely frustrating for me" vibe as well. In two weeks, we've received 6 questions about what to wear, and I kept saying dressy casual, and they've always asked for more clarification.

"yacht club chic" ? Kidding. Since people are asking I'd say casual-ish, like something you'd wear to go to a nice restaurant. Most people have an idea of what that is. And yes, while adults do know how to dress themselves they don't always know the formality level of an event, and it's awkward to show up over dressed or under dressed so I understand why people ask.

@ Celia, it is truly a frequently asked question for us. Way more than any other question we've been asked so far actually.

I am not listing a dress code. If someone asks I will say semi-formal and describe appropriate attire.

We put semi formal on the website but other than that we are just hoping people figure it out. I do not agree that venue will explain anything. We went to a wedding this weekend in my friends parents backyard. Most people assume a back yard wedding is more casual. Majority of the men were in suits and woman in long floral dresses.

Tons of people have asked me what they should wear or told me their plan and asked if it's okay. Just tell them what others plan to wear. That seems to be working for me.

"What should I wear to the wedding?"

"You can wear whatever you want. A lot of people have told me they plan to wear nice jeans and a dress shirt"

I think depending on the venue and time of day/ season the wedding is people can figure out what to wear to the wedding that's appropriate. Let your invitation with the venue/ time of day do the speaking for you. I'd feel so uncomfortable knowing that I was trying to dictate what the guests wore or being a guest and knowing that the bride didn't trust that I could dress myself.

We have many people coming from out of state and out of the country that are not familiar with the venues, so I will add more information about the venues and hope that tips people off. As such, they have been asking us quite a bit.

Not sure whether this will help, but it can't hurt: http://www.brides.com/story/wedding-dress-code-explained