Dress Code for Wedding Guests (2024)

FAQs

What is the dress code for a wedding guest? ›

Black Tie: floor length gowns, black ties, tuxedos. Formal: floor length gowns, tuxedos optional, black suits acceptable. Semi-Formal: below the knee dresses, dress shirts, slacks. Casual: sundresses, collared shirts, khakis.

The best route is to talk to the bride or groom to find out what they expect. You can also talk to other friends attending the event to get a sense of what they plan to wear. If all else fails, it's safest to go with co*cktail or semiformal attire. You'll look elegant but not over the top.

Put It on the Invitation

The simplest way to tell your guests what they're expected to wear is to put a dress code in the invitation. There is a time-honored glossary of dress-code wording short enough to include on invitations, or on a card inserted with the invitation.

It doesn't matter if the dress code requests "casual" attire, jeans, T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, and sneakers are never appropriate to wear as a wedding guest. Show respect for the bride and groom by dressing formally. Sabatino suggests that men show up in a jacket and tie, even when the invitation says casual.

Semi-Formal or co*cktail

This attire is one of the most popular dress codes, and for a good reason. It fits in with almost any wedding venue and is relatively easy for guests to follow. A semi-formal dress code calls for suits for men and co*cktail dresses for ladies.

You can include your Dress Code on the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation. Alternatively, the Dress Code can be placed at the bottom centre of the design.

The staff suggests that if a wedding is taking place at 4 p.m. or 5 p.m., you should wear something that easily transitions from day to night; any ceremony after 6 p.m. should be strictly co*cktail.

Anything Too Casual

We get it, no one wants to quit their coziest clothing like yoga pants, slippers, and jeans, but it's important to remember that these have no place at a wedding. Even if the celebration is casual and relaxed, guests should always err on the side of formal.

What is an example of a dress code announcement? ›

Our company's official dress code is [ Business/ Business Casual/ Smart Casual/ Casual. ] We may change our dress code in special cases. For example, we may require employees to wear semi-formal attire for an event. Then, both male and female employees should wear suits, ties, white shirts and appropriate shoes.

If you're invited to a dressy casual wedding, think casual formal attire meets laid-back chic. It's about creating an elegant casual outfit that still allows room for a little creativity and personal flair. In other words, it's the green light to wear those fancy casual outfits you've been dying to show off!

“Please remember to dress in a manner that is respectful and appropriate for the office.” “Let's make sure our outfits are professional and don't contain any offensive language or imagery.” “It's important that everyone follows the dress code policy so that we can maintain a professional workplace.”

If you're looking for something classic and timeless, dark colors like navy blue or black are always appropriate. For a more glamorous look, pastels such as lavender, light pink, or pale blue will add a touch of elegance to your outfit.

As a rule of thumb, your family should dress at your formality level or just one below. Another quick tip is to have both of the dads rent coordinating suits. The father of the bride will generally wear/rent a suit to walk the bride down the aisle.

The dress code should be spelled out for you on the invitation. From black tie and semi-formal to dressy-casual and beach celebrations, the style of dress can vary. You may have been absent from the ceremony, but you promise to have and to hold onto your great style at the reception.