Black-Tie Weddings: A Guide To Planning An Elegant Affair

Planning a black-tie wedding is about more than just the dress code. While the attire is a huge part of it, a black-tie wedding is defined by the quality of the affair, including the level of service, the venue, and the time of day.

If you want your wedding to be black-tie, you'll need to provide a level of service that matches the formality of the dress code. This includes valet parking, a seated multicourse dinner, a live band, wait staff in formal attire, and top-shelf liquor.

The time of day is also important, with black-tie weddings typically taking place in the evening. The venue should also match the level of formality, with options like a ballroom, hotel, resort, or country club.

Of course, the dress code is an essential part of a black-tie wedding. For men, this typically means a tuxedo, and for women, a floor-length gown. However, there is room for creativity and modern interpretations of this traditional attire.

Overall, a black-tie wedding is a formal and traditional event, and the dress code, level of service, venue, and timing should all reflect this.

Dress code: Tuxedos for men, gowns for women

For men, the black-tie dress code calls for a tuxedo. This means a proper dinner jacket, tuxedo trousers, appropriate shoes, and the necessary accessories. A classic tuxedo consists of a satin-lapel dinner jacket, trousers with a satin stripe on the leg, a formal white button-down shirt (often with French cuffs), and patent leather or velvet oxfords or loafers. A bow tie, cufflinks, and studs are also essential accessories. While a tuxedo is the preferred option, a dark suit can also be worn.

For women, black-tie dress codes call for a full-length dress or a women's tuxedo. Evening floor-length gowns, formal cocktail dresses, and elegant jumpsuits are all appropriate choices. When it comes to colours, white, off-white, or anything similar should be avoided, as well as the colour chosen by the bride for her bridesmaids' dresses. Black, jewel tones, and pastel hues for summer weddings are all good options. Women can also opt for elegant jewellery and accessories, such as sleek heels, diamonds or pearls, and an elegant clutch.

Service: Valet parking, seated multi-course dinner, live band, wait staff in tails, top-shelf liquor

To make your wedding black-tie, you can include the following services:

Valet Parking

Valet parking is a convenient and luxurious service that can be offered to your wedding guests. It adds an extra touch of elegance and can be especially useful if parking is limited at your venue.

Seated Multi-Course Dinner

A seated multi-course dinner is a great way to elevate your wedding reception and create a formal and elegant atmosphere. The basic full-course meal consists of three or four courses, but you can opt for a more extravagant tasting menu with up to 20 courses. Each course is served at a specific point in the meal sequence, with common courses including an appetizer, main course, and dessert. For a black-tie wedding, you may want to consider a menu that includes luxurious and sophisticated dishes, such as premium beef or lamb for the main course, and rich flourless chocolate cake or lemon creme brulee for dessert.

Live Band

A live band can add a layer of excitement and sophistication to your wedding. They can perform a variety of music to cater to all your guests and create a vibrant and engaging atmosphere. The average cost of a live wedding band in the United States is $5,000, plus a 10% gratuity, and this typically includes three to six musicians.

Wait Staff in Tails

Wait staff, also known as waiters or servers, are essential for providing excellent service during the wedding dinner. For a black-tie wedding, the wait staff can wear formal attire such as tails to match the elegance of the event. They will be responsible for supplying guests with food and drink, as well as performing tasks such as taking orders, food-running, polishing dishes, and helping to bus tables.

Top-Shelf Liquor

Top-shelf liquor refers to high-quality, premium alcoholic beverages. For your black-tie wedding, you may want to offer a selection of top-shelf liquors such as vodka, whiskey, gin, and rum. You can also include fine wines, champagne, and craft cocktails to elevate the beverage options for your guests.

Timing: Evening wedding

Evening weddings are the most common time for black-tie events. The phrase "black-tie wedding" generally refers to the expected attire, but it also indicates that the wedding will be a formal, traditional ceremony and reception.

What to Wear

For men, a classic tuxedo is the default attire for a black-tie wedding. This includes a satin-lapel dinner jacket, pants with a satin stripe, a formal white button-down shirt, and patent leather or velvet oxfords or loafers. Suspenders are optional but can make a cute fashion statement.

For women, a black-tie dress code traditionally means a floor-length gown in a formal fabric like silk charmeuse, chiffon, or Mikado, embellished with lace, embroidery, or crystals. Heels, dressy flats, or loafers are appropriate footwear.

The Venue

When choosing a venue for an evening black-tie wedding, consider a ballroom or another large venue, such as a museum rooftop or a country club. The venue should be able to adapt to the formality of the celebration.

The Decor

Black-tie weddings are synonymous with elegance, opulence, romance, and style. Consider a crisp black and white colour palette with lush green outdoor settings, or custom draping and large build-outs to create an ultra-formal environment.

The Food

Curate a custom and stylized menu with flavour profiles from your hometown or a combination of the bride and groom's backgrounds. Don't be afraid to add playful cocktail-hour details to encourage guests to relax and enjoy themselves.

The Entertainment

For a black-tie event, consider upscale entertainment that will bring the "wow" factor. Remember that the entertainment will have a significant influence on the mood of the room.

Invitation: Formal, traditional, and elegant

The invitation is the first glimpse your guests will have of your black-tie wedding, so it's important to set the right tone. Here are some tips to make your invitations formal, traditional, and elegant:

• Opt for a traditional and elegant design: Choose a classic font, such as a curly cursive, which indicates formality. Use a formal script and include all the necessary information, such as the dress code, date, time, and venue.
• Go for a black and white colour scheme: Black and white invitations are traditional and elegant. You can also consider adding a touch of gold or silver foil for a luxurious feel.
• Use high-quality paper: Opt for heavy, luxurious paper that feels substantial in the hand. This will instantly elevate the invitation suite.
• Consider adding embellishments: Delicate ribbons, wax seals, or calligraphy can add a touch of elegance to your invitations.
• Mail the invitations: Traditionally, formal invitations are sent by mail. This adds to the sense of occasion and allows your guests to display the invitation in their homes.
• Include an RSVP card: It's important to know how many guests to expect, so include an RSVP card with a stamped, addressed envelope to make it easy for your guests to respond.
• Proofread and double-check all details: Before sending out your invitations, carefully review all the information for any errors or typos. It's also a good idea to have someone else proofread it to catch any mistakes you may have missed.

Remember, the invitation is the first impression of your wedding, so take the time to make it reflect the elegance and formality of your black-tie event.

Venue: Ballroom or other large venue

A black-tie wedding is a formal event, and the venue should reflect that. A ballroom is a classic choice for a reason—it offers the space, grandeur, and traditional feel that aligns with the formality of a black-tie wedding.

If a ballroom is not available or desired, there are other options for a large venue. A hotel, resort, country club, or other expensive and extravagant locations can also set the right tone. The key is to choose a venue that exudes elegance and sophistication, with ample space to accommodate your guests comfortably.

For a black-tie wedding, it's essential to consider not just the size of the venue but also how it will be dressed. Floral arrangements, for example, should be large and impressive. The bridal party's attire will also contribute to the overall aesthetic, with groomsmen in tuxedos and bridesmaids in long dresses.

The chosen venue should provide a blank canvas to create a luxurious and formal atmosphere, allowing you to incorporate your desired theme and personal touches while maintaining the level of sophistication expected at a black-tie event.

Remember, the venue sets the tone for your wedding, so selecting a space that embodies sophistication and elegance is crucial to achieving the desired black-tie ambiance.

Frequently asked questions