Incorporate Wedding Attire In Your Invites: A Guide

There are several ways to indicate wedding attire on invites. The invitation itself can be designed to reflect the formality of the event, with a classy black-and-white invitation with calligraphy suggesting a formal dress code, and a bright-coloured, square invitation indicating a more casual event. The invitation can also include subtle hints, such as watercolour flowers for a garden wedding, or a metallic border for a cocktail reception. The font choice and colour can also be indicative of the dress code, with darker colours like navy, plum, and charcoal suggesting formality, and light and poppy colours suggesting a more low-key event. The request line can also be indicative of formality, with request the honour of your presence suggesting a formal event, and happily invite you to the best day ever suggesting an informal one.

Where to include the dress code on the invite

There are several places you can include the dress code on your wedding invites. Here are some options:

The Wedding Invitation

You can include the dress code in the corner copy of your invitation. This is usually placed at the bottom left or right-hand corner, or at the bottom centre of the design. This is a great option if your ceremony and reception are in the same place, as it ensures your guests don't miss the information.

Reception Card

If your ceremony and reception are in different locations, you can include the dress code on both the invitation and the reception card. This is also helpful if your wedding and reception have different dress codes.

Enclosure Card

You can include a simple enclosure card with your invitation to communicate the dress code. This is especially useful if your wedding invitation design doesn't easily accommodate extra information. For example, if your wedding is outdoors during winter, you can remind guests to bring warm layers and appropriate footwear.

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 wedding date, venue, and time. If your website includes multiple event pages, you can add a dress code for each event. You can also direct guests to an FAQ page on your website where you can provide a more detailed explanation of the dress code.

Invitation Design

The design of your invitation can also give clues about the dress code. For example, a formal event might call for a classy black-and-white invitation with calligraphy, while a casual event could use a bright-coloured, square invitation with a loopy font. If you have a themed wedding, you can include elements of the theme on the invitation to make the dress code clearer.

Venue

The venue of your wedding can also provide clues about the expected attire. For example, 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), you'll need to make the dress code very clear to your guests.

How to word the dress code

Deciding on a dress code for your wedding and figuring out how to communicate it to your guests can be a tricky task. Here are some tips and examples to help you word the dress code for your wedding invites:

Where to Include the Dress Code

First, you need to decide where to include the dress code information. You have a few options:

• 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.
• 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 to keep your invitation simple and uncluttered.
• Your Wedding Website: If you have a wedding website, you can include the dress code information there, along with other details such as directions to the venue.

Wording Examples for Different Dress Codes

The wording you choose for your dress code will depend on the level of formality you desire for your wedding. Here are some examples for different dress codes:

• White Tie: "White Tie Celebration: Please join us in your most royal formalwear." "We request the honour of your presence at our white tie wedding on [date]. Please join us in full evening dress to make this night exceptionally grand."
• Black Tie: "A Formal Affair: Our venue requires Black Tie attire." "Black Tie Attire Requested. Formal Evening Attire." "You are cordially invited to the wedding of [name] and [name] on [date]. To honour this special occasion, we kindly request that you dress in black tie attire."
• 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." "Black Tie Optional: Formal attire is encouraged."
• Creative Black Tie: "Creative Black Tie: Formalwear is suggested, with some flare."
• Cocktail Attire: "Cocktail Attire: Elegance encouraged." 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." "Elegant Cocktail Wear."
• Semi-Formal: 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." We can't wait to celebrate with you in your daytime Semi-Formal attire. Semi-Formal: "We suggest that men wear a suit in any colour and women wear a cocktail dress or a nice pantsuit."
• Dressy Casual: "Comfort Encouraged: Our celebration will be Dressy Casual." Dressy Casual: "We want you to be comfortable at our wedding. For this time of year, we suggest the following attire: Women: sundresses, lightweight separates and flats or wedge heels. Men: light dress shirt with khaki or other lightweight slacks; jackets and ties optional."
• Casual: "Casual attire is welcome at our wedding." "Casual: Come as you are and join us for a day of fun and celebration." "Casual: Feel free to wear your favourite comfortable clothes – we can't wait to celebrate with you!"

Remember to choose a dress code and wording that fits the mood and theme of your wedding, the time of day, venue guidelines, season, and your personality. Clear communication is key to ensuring your guests understand your dress code expectations.

The importance of the invitation design

The design of a wedding invitation is important as it is one of the first things guests will receive about the wedding. The design should set the stage for the look and feel of the celebration, acting as an opportunity to communicate what guests can expect from the event, including the attire.

The invitation design can reflect the formality of the event. For instance, a formal affair may use traditional phrasing such as "request the honour of your presence", fine print options like gold foil, and a formal colour scheme of black, navy, plum or charcoal. In contrast, a casual affair may use a fun script or chalkboard-style print, light and poppy colours, or a dark background with white font.

The invitation design can also reflect the theme of the wedding. For example, a "garden party" theme could include watercolour flowers, while a "barn wedding" could feature a wood-textured background. Nautical images could be included for a wedding with an "under the sea" theme.

The design can also reflect the venue, as a beach wedding is likely to be more casual than a wedding at a resort.

Additionally, the invitation design can indicate the time of the event. A wedding starting after 6 pm is usually more formal, while an earlier wedding may be more suited to cocktail or garden attire.

Overall, the design of the wedding invitation is an important tool to communicate the desired dress code and style of the wedding to the guests.

The role of the wedding website

Wedding websites are a great way to share information about your big day with your guests. They are a centralized hub for all the wedding-related details that you want to communicate. Here are some tips for using your wedding website to guide your guests on what to wear:

Homepage

The homepage is a great place to include essential details about your wedding day, such as the date, venue, time, and a welcome message. You can also add the dress code here, along with other important day-of details. If your wedding has multiple events, like a welcome reception or a post-wedding brunch, you can include a dress code for each event.

FAQ Page

The FAQ page is designed to answer your guests' questions and prevent them from having to call or text you. You can provide clear wedding attire descriptions and special requests here. For example, you can state the dress code and then include a brief explanation with attire suggestions and specifics. If there is no specific dress code, be sure to mention this clearly to prevent any confusion. You can also use the FAQ page to encourage or discourage certain attire. For instance, you can share your vision for the wedding, such as the theme or colour palette, to guide your guests' outfit choices.

Wording the Dress Code

Be clear and direct when wording the dress code. You can use phrases like "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." Or, for a more casual event, "We want you to be comfortable at our wedding. The dress code is dressy casual attire. For this time of year in California, we suggest: sundresses, lightweight separates, and flats or wedge heels for women; light dress shirts with khakis or other lightweight slacks; jackets and ties are optional for men."

Updates and Changes

If there are any last-minute changes to the dress code or any other details, your wedding website allows you to quickly and easily update your guests. A blog or updates section can keep guests informed about any changes or updates, ensuring they have access to the latest information leading up to the wedding.

RSVP Functionality

Your wedding website can also streamline the RSVP process by including interactive features that allow guests to confirm their attendance, select meal preferences, and provide other relevant information. This helps you manage your guest list efficiently.

How to communicate a themed dress code

Communicating a themed dress code to your guests can be tricky, but it's important to ensure that everyone is appropriately dressed for your special day. Here are some tips to help you effectively convey your chosen theme:

Use Clear and Direct Language:

Be explicit about your chosen theme and the expected attire. For example, if you're having a masquerade-themed wedding, state that guests are encouraged to wear masks and costumes. This avoids any confusion and ensures guests understand your vision.

Provide Specific Attire Instructions:

Give detailed information about what guests should wear to match your theme. For instance, if you're having a beach wedding, suggest summer suits and dresses, or if your theme is "Great Gatsby," mention 1920s-style attire. This helps guests visualize and choose their outfits accordingly.

Include the Dress Code in Multiple Places:

There are several ways to communicate the dress code to your guests. Include it on your wedding invitation, either in the corner or at the bottom centre of the design. You can also include a separate information card with other important details, or create a wedding website where you can provide more comprehensive explanations and suggestions.

Be Mindful of Timing:

Time of day plays a crucial role in dress codes. Morning or afternoon events typically call for different attire than evening events. For instance, a morning wedding might suggest a morning coat for men and tea-length or longer dresses for women. Evening events, on the other hand, are usually more formal, with tuxedos, cocktail dresses, and floor-length gowns being appropriate.

Understand Formal Categories:

Familiarize yourself with the different levels of formality. "White tie" is the most formal, followed by "black tie," and then "black tie optional." Understanding these categories will help you guide your guests towards the appropriate attire for your themed wedding.

Avoid Vague Terms:

Terms like "casual" or "semi-formal" can be confusing and open to interpretation. Instead, be specific and provide clear guidance on what you expect your guests to wear. For example, if you want a more relaxed atmosphere, you could suggest "dressy casual," which allows for more flexibility while still maintaining a certain level of elegance.

Remember, the key to successfully communicating a themed dress code is clarity and specificity. By providing detailed information and using the right channels, your guests will feel confident in their attire choices, ensuring they align with your wedding's unique theme.

Frequently asked questions