Guide To Gracefully Adding Attire Details To Wedding Invites

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to include the dress code to ensure your event is as formal or casual as you desire. This also helps your guests know what attire is expected of them. The wedding invitation is the perfect place to note your clothing requirements, usually listed towards the bottom of the invitation, following the date, location, and time. If you want to include more details about the dress code, you can add a separate information card or include it on your wedding website.

Where to include attire details in your wedding invitation

If you want to include attire details on your wedding invitation, there are a few places you can do so. Here are some options:

On the Wedding Invitation

If you want to specify the dress code on the invitation itself, you can include it in the lower left or right-hand corner. Alternatively, you can place it at the bottom centre of the design. This is a good option if you want to keep your invitation simple and provide all the necessary information in one place.

Separate Information/Details Card

If you are including a separate details or information card with other important information for your guests, you can use this space to list the dress code as well. This can help keep your invitation uncluttered while still providing guests with the information they need.

Your Wedding Website

If you have a wedding website, you can include the dress code information there. This can be especially helpful if you want to provide more detailed explanations or suggestions for attire. You can add the dress code to the homepage along with other essential information such as the wedding date, venue, and time. If your website includes multiple event pages, you can add a specific dress code for each event. You can also direct guests to an FAQ page on your website for more detailed information and suggestions.

Wording and Etiquette

When including attire details, it's important to use clear and polite wording that matches the tone of the rest of your invitation. You can simply list the type of dress code, or add some additional details or creativity as long as it is easy for guests to understand. For example, for a white tie celebration, you can write "Please join us in your most royal formalwear." Or for a black-tie-optional event, you might say, "Formal attire is suggested."

Remember, the most important thing is to communicate your dress code plans clearly and give your guests plenty of notice. By including attire details in your invitation, you'll help your guests feel confident in their attire choices and ensure they align with your wedding vision.

How to word the dress code on your wedding invitation

The dress code is an important element of your wedding invitation, as it gives your guests an idea of what to expect at your wedding. It also helps you set the right tone for your celebration and ensures your event stays as formal or casual as you want.

Where to Include the Dress Code

If you want to be specific about the dress code, there are three main places you can include it:

• Your Wedding Invitation: You can add the dress code in the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation, or at the bottom centre.
• A Separate Information/Details Card: If you're including a details card with other important information, you can list the dress code here to keep your invitation simple.
• Your Wedding Website: If you're providing a wedding website, you can include the dress code along with other details such as directions to the venue.

How to Word Different Dress Codes

• White Tie: "Please join us in your most royal formalwear." or "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: "A Formal Affair: Our venue requires Black Tie attire." or "Black tie. We ask that men wear a tuxedo and women wear a floor-length gown."
• 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 midi or knee-length cocktail dress." or "Formal attire is suggested."
• Creative Black Tie: "Creative Black Tie: Formalwear is suggested, with some flare."
• Cocktail Attire: "Cocktail attire. We suggest that men wear a suit or dress shirt with a tie and women wear a midi or knee-length dress or dressy separates." or "Elegance encouraged."
• 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. The dress code is dressy casual attire. For this time of year, may we suggest the following attire: Women: sundresses, lightweight separates, and flats or wedge heels. Men: light dress shirt with khakis or other lightweight slacks; jackets and ties are optional."
• Casual: "Casual attire is welcome at our wedding." or "Swap the stiletto heels for nice wedges or flats, and a button-down shirt will be just fine sans tie."

Tips for Wording the Dress Code

When wording the dress code, consider the following:

• Clear Communication: Use wording that is instructive and polite, and ensure your dress code information is clear and simple to avoid confusion.
• Consistency: Keep the style and tone of the dress code wording consistent with the rest of your invitation's language.
• Format: You can format the dress code with or without a colon or other mark, such as a bullet point or vertical bar. For example: "Dress Code: Formal Attire" or "Formal Attire (Black Tie Optional)".
• Theme and Venue: Consider the theme and venue of your wedding when choosing the dress code. For example, a garden party dress code for an outdoor wedding.
• Time of Day: The dress code should also reflect the time of day; a black-tie dress code may feel out of place at noon.

How to word different dress codes

When it comes to wedding invitations, there isn't much space to go into detail about the dress code. That's where a wedding website comes in handy, where you can explain the dress code in more detail and answer FAQs. However, if you want to include the dress code on your wedding invitation, here are some ideas for different dress codes:

White Tie

• "White-Tie Celebration: Please join us in your most royal formalwear."
• "Our wedding will be a white-tie affair."

Black Tie

• "A Formal Affair: Our venue requires Black Tie attire."
• "Black Tie: We ask that men wear a tuxedo and women wear a floor-length gown."

Black Tie Optional

• "Black-Tie Optional: Formal attire is suggested."
• "Black-tie optional. We ask that men wear a tuxedo or a dark suit and tie and women wear an evening gown or a knee-length cocktail dress."

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, black tie optional (suit and tie and dresses)."

Cocktail Attire

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

Semi-Formal or Dressy Casual

• "We can't wait to celebrate with you in your daytime Semi-Formal attire."
• "Semi-formal (suit and tie and cocktail dresses)."
• "Semi-formal: 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. The dress code is dressy casual attire. For this time of year in California, may we suggest the following attire: Women: sundresses, lightweight separates and flats or wedge heels for the outdoor ceremony on the lawn. Men: light dress shirt with khaki or other lightweight slacks; jackets and ties optional."

Casual

• "Casual attire is welcome at our wedding."
• "Casual (button-down shirts or polos and summer sundresses or a skirt or pants with a nice blouse)."

How to match the dress code with your wedding theme

Matching your dress code with your wedding theme is an important part of wedding planning. It ensures your event stays as formal or as casual as you want and helps your guests know what is expected of them for attire. Here are some tips for matching your dress code with your wedding theme:

White Tie or Full Evening Dress

This is the most formal of all wedding dress codes. It is usually reserved for very formal weddings, as well as elegant events like state dinners and royal banquets. For this dress code, men dress in long-tail tuxedos, while women wear full-length ball gowns.

Black Tie

Black tie usually indicates a formal, evening wedding where men wear tuxedos with black bow ties and women wear formal floor-length gowns. Black tie does not mean you must wear black, but traditionally, men would wear a black bow tie and tuxedo.

Formal or Black Tie Optional

These phrases mean that guests are encouraged to wear black-tie attire but it is not mandatory. For men, this means a dark suit with a shirt and tie, while women can wear a floor-length gown, knee-length cocktail dress, pantsuit, or dressy separates.

Lounge Suit or Semi-Formal

This dress code is suitable for a semi-formal daytime wedding. The wedding party will be in formal wedding attire, and it’s optional for all guests. Men should wear a classic suit or tux with a tie, while women can wear floor-length dresses or evening pantsuits.

Jacket & Tie

Similar to lounge suit or semi-formal, jacket and tie indicates that it is acceptable for men to wear a sports jacket, suit jacket, or smart blazer with chinos and a tie. Women should wear a cocktail dress that is shorter than floor-length, a pantsuit, or dressy separates.

Cocktail Attire

Cocktail attire is not overly formal and encourages guests to dress a step above smart casual. Women can wear any length above floor length, while men can wear a suit (tie optional) or sports jacket and dress shirt.

Smart Casual

Smart casual means wedding guests are asked to dress neatly, without being overly dressy or casual. For men, dark denim, chinos, or suit paints with a neat shirt are appropriate, while women can wear a skirt or smart trousers.

When matching your dress code with your wedding theme, it's important to consider the time of day, season, venue, and any cultural traditions that may influence the attire. For example, a beach wedding will typically have more casual attire, while a museum or historic landmark venue will call for more formal attire.

How to include attire details if you have a wedding website

If you have a wedding website, this is the perfect place to include attire details. Here are some ideas on how to do this:

Firstly, when designing your wedding website, consider adding the dress code to the homepage along with other essential details such as the wedding date, venue, and time. This ensures that your guests can easily find this information. If your website includes multiple event pages, you can add a specific dress code for each event.

Secondly, you can include attire details in the FAQ section of your website. This is a great way to provide clear and detailed answers to common questions your guests may have. For example, you can directly state the dress code and then provide a brief explanation with attire suggestions and specifics. If there is no specific dress code, be sure to mention this clearly to prevent confusion. You can also use the FAQ section to encourage or discourage certain attire choices. For instance, you can share a brief recap of your wedding vision, such as the theme or colour palette, to guide your guests' attire choices.

Thirdly, if you want to provide specific examples, you can include a section on your website dedicated to this. For instance, you can suggest attire choices based on the time of year and location of your wedding. This helps your guests feel more confident and prepared for your big day.

Finally, if you have a strict dress code or a specific theme, consider dedicating a separate page or section on your website to explain this in detail. This ensures that your guests fully understand your expectations and can plan their outfits accordingly.

Remember, your wedding website is a great tool to communicate important information to your guests, so feel free to get creative and include any additional details or suggestions that you think will be helpful!

Frequently asked questions