Guide To Including Attire Details In Wedding Invites

Including the dress code on your wedding invitations is a great way to ensure your guests know what to wear and feel comfortable. While some couples skip adding attire instructions on their invites, others prefer to be more explicit. If you're looking to add attire instructions to your wedding invitations, here are some ways to do so:

- Include the dress code in the corner copy of your invitation. This is usually at the right or center bottom of the invite.

- Add the dress code to the reception card if your ceremony and reception are at different locations.

- Use an enclosure card that accompanies your invitation to provide dress code details.

- Use straightforward wording such as black tie event, semi-formal, cocktail attire, etc.

- Include dress code information on the FAQ page of your wedding website and provide the website address on your invitation.

- Design your invitations to reflect the formality of the event. For instance, a formal event could feature classy black-and-white invitations with calligraphy, while a casual event could use bright colors and playful fonts.

- If you have a themed wedding, incorporate elements of the theme into your invitation design.

- Match the dress code to your venue. For example, a beach wedding is likely more casual than a wedding at a resort.

Where to put attire details

There are several ways to indicate the attire for your wedding without explicitly stating it on the invitation. Here are some suggestions on where to put the attire details:

The Invitation Itself

If you want to include the attire details on the wedding invitation, there are a few places you can put it. You could add it to the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation or centre it at the bottom. This way, your guests can easily spot the dress code along with other essential details like the date, time, and location.

Separate Information/Details Card

If you want to keep your invitation simple and uncluttered, consider including a separate details card along with the invitation. This card can contain other important information for your guests, such as directions to the venue, and it gives you more space to explain the dress code in detail.

Your Wedding Website

If you have a wedding website, this is another great place to provide attire details. Include the dress code on the homepage along with the welcome message, date, venue, and time. If your wedding has multiple events, you can add a specific dress code for each on their respective pages. You can also add a dedicated FAQ page with clear attire descriptions and any special requests. This is especially useful if you have a less conventional dress code that may require further explanation.

Visual Cues

The design and formatting of your invitation can also hint at the attire without explicitly stating it. For instance, using fine print options like engraving, letterpress, or gold foil suggests a fancier, more formal celebration. On the other hand, a fun script or chalkboard-style print leans more towards a casual affair.

Visual elements like watercolour flowers suggest a garden wedding, a wood-textured background hints at a barn wedding, and a metallic border indicates a cocktail reception. Even your colour choices can convey formality: darker colours like navy, plum, and charcoal are more formal, while light and poppy colours lean casual.

Additionally, the number of font choices and the use of lowercase text indicate informality. For instance, an invitation with more than two font choices is more informal, and one with all lowercase text is the most informal.

Finishing Touches

The presentation of your invitation can also provide subtle clues about the attire. Finishing touches like a wax seal, personalised belly band, or calligraphy on the envelopes suggest a formal affair. In contrast, colourful envelopes, quirky envelope liners, and infographics on the details card may indicate a more casual event.

What to write

There are several ways to indicate the dress code on your wedding invitations. You can include it in the corner copy of your invitation, usually at the bottom right. This is a good option if your ceremony and reception are in the same place. If they are in different locations, it's best to include the dress code on both the invitation and the reception card. You can also include it on an enclosure card that accompanies your invitation, especially if your invitation design doesn't easily accommodate extra information.

When indicating the dress code, use straightforward wording such as:

• Black tie (tuxedos and formal gowns)
• Formal, black tie optional (suit and tie and dresses)
• Semi-formal (suit and tie and cocktail dresses)
• Cocktail attire (suits and party dresses)
• Beach or garden party attire (summer suits and summer dresses)
• Casual (button-down shirts and slacks and summer dresses or skirts)

If you don't want to include the exact dress code, you can reflect the formality of the event through the design of your invitations. For a formal event, consider a classy black-and-white invitation with calligraphy. For a casual event, try a loopy font on a bright-coloured, square invitation. If you have a themed wedding, include elements of your theme on the invitation to make the dress code clearer. For example, select white stationery for an "all-white" wedding or include nautical images for an "under the sea" theme.

Finally, remember that your venue can also provide clues about the dress code. A beach wedding is probably more casual than a wedding at a resort, but if you're hosting a black-tie wedding in a barn, you'll need to make the expectations very clear to your guests.

Matching attire to your invitation design

Formality of the Event

The level of formality of your wedding will dictate the attire of your guests. If you are set on a black-tie wedding, adhere to traditional phrasing and formatting on your invitation. For instance, a request line such as "request the honour of your presence" or "request the pleasure of your company" indicates a formal event. In contrast, phrases like "happily invite you to the best day ever" suggest a more casual celebration.

Timing of the Event

The time of your wedding can also indicate the expected attire. If your wedding starts after 6 pm, guests will likely assume a more formal dress code unless specified otherwise. On the other hand, a daytime wedding may call for cocktail or garden attire.

Invitation Design Elements

The design elements of your invitation can also provide subtle hints about the attire. For example, fine print options like engraving, letterpress, or gold foil are often associated with formal celebrations. In contrast, a fun script or chalkboard-style print may indicate a more casual affair.

Additionally, consider incorporating thematic elements into your invitation design. For instance, if you're having a garden wedding, a watercolour floral motif can be a subtle hint, while a wood-textured background would be fitting for a barn wedding. A metallic border can elevate the elegance of a cocktail reception invitation.

Colour Palette

The colour of your invitation can also convey the formality of your event. While black is the most formal colour for invitation text, darker hues like navy, plum, or charcoal can also imply formality. If you're aiming for a more casual vibe, consider using light and vibrant colours or a dark background with white or ivory font.

Font Choices

The number of font choices and text casing can also indicate the level of formality. Invitations with more than two font choices are often considered more informal, and those with lowercase text are typically the most informal.

Finishing Touches

The finishing touches on your invitation suite can also suggest the formality of the event. For example, a wax seal, personalised belly band, or calligraphy on the envelopes can indicate a formal affair. In contrast, colourful envelopes, quirky envelope liners, and infographics on the details card may lean towards a more casual tone.

Remember, the invitation is one of the first things your guests will receive, so use it as an opportunity to set the tone and provide subtle cues about the expected attire.

Using your venue as a clue

The venue is a key factor in determining the dress code for a wedding, and this can be communicated through the invitation. Here are some ways to use your venue as a clue for the attire in your wedding invitations:

Beach Wedding

If you're planning a beach wedding, this can be a good indicator to your guests that the dress code is more casual. For beach weddings, it's appropriate to ditch the heavy gowns and formal tuxedos. Instead, opt for breezy, flowy, and lightweight fabrics. Linen button-downs and maxi dresses are a good choice. If the wedding is directly on the sand, consider wearing sandals or shoes that can easily be taken off.

Vineyard Wedding

For a winery wedding, the dress code is likely to fall between semi-formal cocktail attire and formal attire. Keep the colour palette neutral and let your accessories do the talking. Think earthy tones and vineyard-inspired colours like burgundy and forest green.

Castle Wedding

If your wedding is in a castle, the dress code is likely to be formal or black-tie. This could even be a white-tie event, which is the most formal of all wedding dress codes. Expect tuxedos and floor-length gowns, and maybe even channel your inner Bridgerton!

Country Club Wedding

For a wedding in a country club setting, the attire should be classy and stylish. A classic suit and tie or a midi or floor-length dress with strappy heels are good choices. Don't be afraid to get a little preppy with your outfit.

Backyard Wedding

Backyard weddings can vary in formality, but generally, lightweight fabrics, midi dresses or slacks, and button-up shirts are a good choice. Don't forget to consider your footwear, as backyard weddings may involve walking on uneven grass. Block heels, loafers, and sandals with sturdy soles are a good idea.

Barn Wedding

For a barn wedding, cotton mini dresses, bold patterns, and dusty earth tones are the vibe. Aim for casual elegance that will look good from the ceremony to line dancing under the stars. This is also a great opportunity to wear your favourite cowboy hat and boots!

Mountain Wedding

A mountain wedding dress code is usually semi-formal or dressy casual. Flowy silhouettes, earthy tones, and on-theme accessories like belts, cowboy hats, or boots are perfect for this setting.

Courthouse Wedding

A courthouse wedding calls for an outfit that is a bit more formal than dressy casual. A sports coat and slacks, a dressier sundress, or a sophisticated jumpsuit are all good choices for this setting.

Remember, you can include the dress code on the invitation itself, on a separate information card, or on your wedding website. The invitation design, wording, font choices, and colours can also give subtle hints about the expected attire.

Providing visual guidance

If you want to give your guests a clear idea of the attire you expect them to wear, consider including visual elements on your wedding invitations. This can be done through the use of colours, illustrations, and even the style of font you choose.

For example, if you're having a garden wedding, a watercolour flower illustration on the invitation can subtly hint at the dress code. Similarly, a wood-textured background would be perfect for a barn wedding, while a metallic border could indicate a cocktail reception. These visual cues will help your guests understand the style and formality of the event.

The font style and colour you choose can also convey a lot about the expected attire. For instance, a formal wedding would typically use darker colours like navy, plum, or charcoal for the text. On the other hand, light and poppy colours or a dark background with white font can suggest a more low-key event. Additionally, using more than two font choices or including lowercase text indicates a more informal affair.

If you want to be more explicit about the dress code, you can include illustrations or icons that represent the expected attire. For example, a simple illustration of a tuxedo or a cocktail dress can leave no room for confusion. You can also use dress code phrases like "Black Tie" or "Cocktail Attire" along with corresponding visual elements to reinforce the message.

Remember, the overall design and aesthetic of your invitation should align with the theme and style of your wedding. This cohesive approach will help set the tone for your celebration and ensure your guests arrive dressed appropriately.

Frequently asked questions