Wedding Attire: What To Include In Your Invitation

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to give your guests a clear idea of what to wear. This can be done in a few ways, depending on the level of formality and the specific theme of your wedding. The most common approach is to include a dress code in the corner of the invitation, on a separate information card, or on your wedding website. This could be black tie, formal, semi-formal, or cocktail attire, to name a few. If you're having a themed wedding, you might want to include a fun riddle or some visual guidance, like a Pinterest board with costume ideas. Ultimately, the goal is to give your guests enough information to feel confident in their attire choices and ensure they align with your vision for the big day.

Where to include attire details

There are several places you can include attire details for your wedding. Here are some options:

On the Wedding Invitation

You can include the dress code in the corner copy of your invitation, usually at the bottom left or right-hand corner, or at the bottom centre. This is a good option if your ceremony and reception are in the same place.

On a Separate Information/Details Card

If you are including a separate card with other important information for your guests, you can list the dress code here. This keeps your invitation simple and clear.

On Your Wedding Website

If you have a wedding website, you can include the dress code on the homepage along with other essential details such as the date, venue, and time. If your website has multiple event pages, you can add a specific dress code for each event. You can also add a more detailed explanation of the dress code on the FAQ page.

On a Reception Card

If your ceremony and reception are in different locations or have different dress codes, you can include the dress code on a reception card. This lets your guests know they can change into more comfortable clothing if needed.

On an Enclosure Card

Including an enclosure card with your invitation is a great way to provide additional information, especially if your wedding invitation design doesn't easily accommodate extra text. For example, if your wedding is outdoors, you can remind guests to bring appropriate footwear and warm layers.

Through the Design of the Invitation

The design of your invitation can also give clues about the dress code. For a formal dress code, consider a classy black-and-white invitation with calligraphy. For a more casual event, try a bright colour with a loopy font. If you have a themed wedding, include elements of the theme on the invitation to make the dress code clearer.

Remember, it's important to communicate your dress code clearly and concisely to avoid confusion. You can use straightforward wording such as "black tie" or "semi-formal," and include brief details or examples if needed.

Wedding website dress code

If you're wondering where to include your wedding's dress code, your wedding website is a great place to do so. This gives you more space to go into detail than a physical invitation, and it's easily editable if your plans change.

When designing your wedding website, it's a good idea to add the dress code to the homepage along with other essential details, such as the date, time, and venue. If your website includes multiple event pages, you can add a specific dress code for each.

How to Add the Dress Code to Your Wedding Website FAQ Page

The FAQ page is designed to provide answers to questions your guests might otherwise text or call you about. You can save yourself some time and stress by providing clear attire descriptions and special requests on the FAQ page from the outset. Here are some examples of questions and answers you could include:

Q: Is there a dress code?

A: Yes, the dress code for our wedding is [dress code type]. We ask that men wear [men's attire] and women wear [women's attire].

Q: Are there any styles or colours you'd prefer me to wear?

A: We're envisioning a [theme or colour palette] for our wedding day. We'd love it if you wore [specific colours or fabrics], but please don't feel that this is a requirement.

How to Word Different Dress Codes

White-tie: We ask that men wear tailcoats and women wear floor-length evening gowns or ball gowns. Top hats and gloves are encouraged.

Black-tie: We ask that men wear a tuxedo, and women wear a floor-length gown.

Black-tie optional: We ask that men wear a tuxedo or a dark suit and tie, and women wear an evening gown or a midi or knee-length cocktail dress.

Formal attire: We suggest that men wear a suit in any colour, and women wear a cocktail dress or a nice pantsuit.

Cocktail attire: We suggest that men wear a suit or a dress shirt with a tie, and women wear a midi or knee-length dress or dressy separates.

Semi-formal attire: We ask that you wear semi-formal attire such as a cocktail-length dress or dressy separates for women and a suit and tie for men. Please note that the venue does not permit blue jeans or sneakers.

Dressy casual: We want you to be comfortable at our wedding. For this time of year in [location], we suggest the following attire: women – sundresses, lightweight separates, and flats or wedge heels; men – a light dress shirt with khakis or other lightweight slacks; jackets and ties are optional.

Visual Inspiration

Including a photo or visual inspiration along with your dress code description can be helpful for guests. You could create a Pinterest board with examples of the looks you're going for, especially if you're having a themed wedding.

Matching Dress Code to Your Venue

Your venue can also provide clues for guests about the dress code. For example, a beach wedding will likely be more casual than a wedding at a resort. However, if you're hosting a black-tie wedding in a barn, you'll need to make the dress code very clear to your guests.

Dress code wording

There are several ways to communicate your wedding dress code to your guests. You can include it on your wedding invitation, on a separate information card, or on your wedding website. Here are some suggestions for wording your dress code:

White Tie

"White tie. We ask that men wear tailcoats and women wear floor-length evening gowns or ball gowns. Top hats and gloves are encouraged."

Black Tie

• "Black tie. We ask that men wear a tuxedo, and women wear a floor-length gown."
• Black tie required.

Black-Tie Optional

• "Black-tie optional. We ask that men wear a tuxedo or a dark suit and tie, and women wear an evening gown or a midi or knee-length cocktail dress."
• "Formal, black tie optional (suit and tie and dresses)."

Formal Attire

• "Formal attire. We suggest that men wear a suit in any colour and women wear a cocktail dress or a nice pantsuit."
• "Formal attire."
• "Formal."

Lounge Suit or Semi-Formal

• Lounge suit.
• Semi-formal attire. We ask that you wear semi-formal attire such as a cocktail-length dress or dressy separates for women and a suit and tie for men. Please note that the venue does not permit blue jeans or sneakers.
• Jacket and tie.

Cocktail Attire

• "Cocktail attire. We suggest that men wear a suit or a dress shirt with a tie and women wear a midi or knee-length dress or dressy separates."
• "Cocktail attire (suits and party dresses)."

Beach or Garden Party Attire

• "Beach or garden party attire (summer suits and summer dresses)."
• "Beach or garden party."

Casual

• "Casual (button-down shirts and slacks and summer dresses or skirts)."
• "No suits or tuxes required!"

Matching dress code to invitation style

When it comes to wedding attire, it's important to give your guests clear guidance on what to wear. This ensures your event stays as formal or as casual as you want it to be. The dress code can be communicated in a few ways, such as on the wedding invitation, on a separate information card, or on your wedding website. Here are some tips for matching the dress code to the style of your wedding invitation:

White-tie or full evening dress

White-tie is the most formal of all wedding dress codes. If you're having a white-tie wedding, your invitation should reflect this level of formality. Men typically wear long-tail tuxedos, while women wear full-length ball gowns. The invitation wording can be something like "White-tie. We kindly request that the gentlemen wear tailcoats and the ladies wear floor-length evening gowns or ball gowns. Top hats and gloves are encouraged."

Black-tie

Black-tie weddings are also formal and usually take place in the evening. Men wear tuxedos with black bow ties, and women wear formal floor-length gowns. It's important to note that black-tie does not mean guests have to wear black. Your invitation wording can be: "Black-tie. We kindly request that men wear a tuxedo and women wear a floor-length gown."

Black-tie optional

This dress code is slightly less formal than black-tie, and guests have more flexibility. Men can wear a tuxedo or a dark suit with dress pants and nice loafers, while women can wear a floor-length evening gown or a knee-length cocktail dress. The invitation can say: "Black-tie optional. We invite you to wear a tuxedo or a dark suit with dress pants and nice loafers for gentlemen and an evening gown or a knee-length cocktail dress for ladies."

Formal attire

Formal attire is a step down from black-tie and gives guests a bit more freedom. Men can wear a suit in any colour, and women can wear a cocktail dress or a nice pantsuit. The invitation wording can be: "Formal attire. We suggest that men wear a suit and women wear a cocktail dress or a pantsuit."

Cocktail attire

Cocktail attire is slightly less formal than black-tie and black-tie optional. Men can wear a suit and tie, and women can wear a midi- or knee-length dress or dressy separates. The invitation can say: "Cocktail attire. We suggest that men wear a suit or a dress shirt with a tie and women wear a midi or knee-length dress or dressy separates."

Semi-formal or dressy casual

Semi-formal and dressy casual attire are similar and fall between casual and formal. For semi-formal, men can wear a suit and tie, and women can wear a midi dress, a chic jumpsuit, or a wrap dress. For dressy casual, the outfit can be more relaxed, depending on the time of day. For an evening wedding, darker, more formal colours are recommended, while light colours and fabrics are appropriate for a daytime wedding. The invitation wording can be: "Semi-formal attire. We kindly request that men wear a suit and tie and women wear a midi dress, a jumpsuit, or a wrap dress." Or, for a dressy casual wedding: "We want you to be comfortable at our wedding. Please wear dressy casual attire. For this time of year, we suggest sundresses, lightweight separates, and flats or wedge heels for ladies and a light dress shirt with khakis or other lightweight slacks for gentlemen."

How to communicate a themed dress code

Communicating a themed dress code to your wedding guests is essential to ensure everyone is dressed appropriately for your event. Here are some tips on how to effectively convey your desired attire:

Use Your Wedding Invitation:

You can include the dress code in the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation or at the bottom centre of the design. If your wedding has a specific theme, consider dedicating a separate enclosure card to this information. Make it fun by announcing the theme with a short riddle and encourage guests to participate.

Provide Visual Guidance:

Consider including a photo or illustration on your invitation that reflects the expected attire. For example, if your theme is "Under the Sea," include nautical images to give guests a visual cue. Alternatively, you could create a Pinterest board with examples of the looks you're aiming for and share it with your guests.

Match Dress Code to Your Venue:

Your venue choice can also provide clues about the expected dress code. For instance, a beach wedding is likely to be more casual than a wedding at a resort. However, if your venue and dress code don't match the usual expectations (e.g., a black-tie wedding in a barn), be sure to clearly communicate the dress code to avoid confusion.

Use Straightforward Wording:

Be clear and concise with your wording to avoid any misunderstandings. Use terms like "black tie," "semi-formal," or "cocktail attire" so that guests can easily understand the level of formality you're requesting. You can also include brief details next to the dress code for further clarification.

Wedding Website and FAQ Page:

If you have a wedding website, use it to provide more detailed information about the dress code. Include it on the homepage along with other essential details like the date, venue, and time. If your website has multiple event pages, you can add a specific dress code for each event. Additionally, an FAQ page can be a great place to provide clear attire descriptions and special requests.

Remember, it's important to strike a balance between providing guidance and not overwhelming your guests with too many specific instructions or requirements.

Frequently asked questions