Attire Etiquette: Wedding Invites And Dress Codes

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to give your guests a clear idea of what to wear. While you can rely on the invitation design to hint at the formality of your event, adding specific attire instructions ensures your guests feel confident in their clothing choices. Here are some tips on where to include dress code details in your wedding invitations.

Placement: Bottom left/right corner, bottom centre, or on a separate card

When deciding where to place the dress code on a wedding invitation, there are three main options: the bottom left or right corner, the bottom centre, or on a separate information or details card.

The bottom corners or centre of the invitation are ideal if you want to include the dress code directly on the invitation itself, ensuring guests don't miss it. This is also a good option if your ceremony and reception are in the same place. You can use wording such as "Black Tie" or "Semi-Formal", or include more detail, for example, "Tuxedos and formal gowns" or "Suits and party dresses".

If you want to keep your invitation simple and concise, you can include a separate information or details card along with the invitation. This card can list other important information for guests, such as directions to the venue, and provide more space to explain the dress code in a few sentences. This is especially useful if your wedding has a specific theme or if you want to include a short story or riddle to encourage guests to participate.

You can also include dress code information on your wedding website, which can be mentioned on the invitation. This allows you to provide a more detailed explanation of the dress code and any special requests or suggestions.

Wording: Black tie, formal attire, cocktail attire, etc

There are several ways to indicate the desired attire for your wedding through the wording of your invitations. Here are some suggestions:

• Black-tie: "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 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."
• Formal, black tie optional: "Formal, black tie optional (suit and tie and 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."
• 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."
• Cocktail attire (alternative): "Suits and party dresses."
• Beach or garden party attire: "Summer suits and summer dresses."
• Casual: "Button-down shirts or polos and summer sundresses or a skirt or pants with a nice blouse."
• Casual (alternative): "Button-down shirts and slacks and summer dresses or skirts."

You can also indicate the level of formality through the design and wording of your invitations. For instance, a formal invitation might feature a classy black-and-white colour scheme with calligraphy, while a casual invitation might feature a bright colour and a loopy font.

Wedding website: Include dress code on the homepage and FAQ page

When it comes to wedding attire, it's important to communicate your dress code clearly to your guests. While you can include a brief mention of the dress code on your wedding invitations, it's a good idea to share more detailed information on your wedding website. Here are some tips for including the dress code on your wedding website's homepage and FAQ page:

Wedding Website Homepage:

Add the dress code to your homepage along with other essential details such as the wedding date, venue, and time. Keep the wording brief and direct, such as "The dress code for our wedding is formal attire." You can also provide a very short description, such as "We ask that men wear suits and women wear cocktail dresses or pantsuits." This gives guests a clear idea of what to expect while still leaving room for personal interpretation.

Wedding Website FAQ Page:

The FAQ page is where you can provide more detailed explanations and suggestions regarding the dress code. Here are some questions you can include:

• "Is there a dress code?" – Answer this question by stating your dress code and providing a brief explanation. For example, "The dress code for our wedding is black-tie optional. We kindly request that men wear a tuxedo or a dark suit and tie, while women can choose from an evening gown, a knee-length cocktail dress, a pantsuit, or dressy separates."
• "Are there any styles or colors you'd prefer us to wear?" – Use this question if you want to encourage certain attire choices without making them mandatory. For example, "While we don't have a specific color scheme, we'd love to see you in pastel colors such as lilac, blush, sage, or blue if possible."
• "Will the ceremony be held indoors or outdoors?" – This question is essential for guests to decide on their comfort and footwear. You can add details such as "The ceremony will be held on the beach, so flat shoes are recommended for women, and men may go without a jacket and tie."

Remember to keep the tone casual and friendly, avoiding any demands or lengthy instructions. You can also include pictures of the venue and links to the venue website so guests can visualize the setting and decide on their attire.

Invitation design: Formal (black/white, calligraphy), casual (bright colours, loopy font)

When it comes to wedding invitations, the design you choose will depend on the tone and style of your wedding. Here are some ideas for both formal and casual invitation designs, including suggestions for where to add the attire:

Formal Invitation Design (Black/White, Calligraphy)

A black-and-white colour scheme is a classic and versatile choice for formal wedding invitations. Here are some design ideas:

• Engrave white card stock with black lettering in a sans-serif font.
• Use ornate calligraphy on worn paper with a deckle-edge for a vintage feel.
• Incorporate gold foil detailing on a black background for a glamorous touch.
• Combine different fonts to emphasise important elements, such as showcasing the names in intricate calligraphy and using a capitalised font for the date and venue.
• Use hand-calligraphy with a simple white background and black decorative handwriting for a timeless and elegant look.

Where to Add the Attire

If you want to include a dress code on your formal invitations, there are a few options:

• Lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation.
• Bottom centre of the invitation.
• On a separate information or details card, especially if you want to keep the invitation simple.
• On your wedding website, if you have one, along with other important information for your guests.

Casual Invitation Design (Bright Colours, Loopy Font)

If you're going for a more casual and playful vibe, bright colours and a loopy font can be a great choice. Here are some ideas:

• Use a bold and colourful font, such as Yellow Rabbit or Lemon Milk, to make a statement.
• Combine a playful calligraphy-style font with a more structured block typeface for a lovely contrast. Fonts like Melika Script or Madina Script would work well for this.
• Choose a font with a slightly angled or italic look, adding a fun touch to your invitations.
• Incorporate accent fonts to highlight names or important details, such as the date or venue.
• Play around with different lettering styles to create a casual and whimsical feel.

Where to Add the Attire

As with formal invitations, you have a few options for including the attire on casual invitations:

• Lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation, or the bottom centre.
• Include a separate details card with the dress code and other important information.
• Create a wedding website and add the dress code along with other useful information for your guests.

Venue and timing: A beach wedding is more casual than a resort; a wedding after 6 pm is more formal

When it comes to wedding attire, the venue and timing are key factors in determining the appropriate dress code. A beach wedding, for instance, calls for a more casual look, while a wedding held at a resort might be more formal. The time of day also plays a role, with weddings after 6 pm tending to be more formal affairs.

For a beach wedding, guests can expect a more relaxed dress code. This doesn't mean that anything goes, but it does allow for more flexibility and comfort. Men might opt for a light-coloured suit or a nice collared shirt with dress pants, while women could choose a flowy maxi dress or a nice sundress. Sandals or wedges are a good choice for footwear, as they can easily be taken off if the wedding is directly on the sand.

On the other hand, a wedding at a resort could range from semi-formal to black-tie, depending on the time of day. A daytime resort wedding might call for cocktail attire, with men wearing suits and ties, and women in tea-length or knee-length dresses. For an evening resort wedding, the dress code might be black-tie, with men in tuxedos and women in floor-length gowns.

When deciding on the attire for your wedding, it's important to consider the venue and timing. If you're having a beach wedding at sunset, for example, you might want to go for a more casual look, with men in linen shirts and dress pants, and women in lightweight dresses. If you're having an evening wedding at a resort, you might prefer a more formal look, with men in dark suits or tuxedos, and women in elegant gowns.

Including the dress code on your wedding invitations is a great way to ensure your guests know what to wear. You can include it on the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation, or at the bottom centre. If you want to provide more details, you can include a separate information card with your invitation, or direct guests to your wedding website for more information.

Frequently asked questions