We totally understand: knowing what’s appropriate to wear to a wedding can be tricky! Wedding guest attire is often confusing and with all the dress code terminology used these days, it can be hard to decipher what each term really means. We’re here to help! Below, we’re explaining what the most common terms for wedding guest attire indicate you should wear. If you’re shopping for an outfit or seeing what you have in your closet already that might work for an upcoming nuptial celebration, scroll down!
Photo: Stephanie Brazzle Photography
A note for brides: The dress code should be listed in small print at the bottom of your invitation, or if you have a separate card inviting guests to the reception, denote it there. Your invitation designer will be able to help with this! It’s never a bad idea to list the dress code on your wedding website, as well. Whichever dress code you choose, your dress, the groom’s attire and the bridal party’s attire all need to follow the same dress code, if not one step dressier. Now, onto the terminology!
White Tie
The most formal of the formals, and the most uncommon in this day and age. Men should wear a tuxedo with tails while ladies should wear a full-length ball gown. Gloves and clutches are appropriate accessories.
Black Tie
Men should wear a tuxedo with a black bow tie, preferably, or a black tie. A black vest or cumme*rbund is acceptable. Women should choose a formal floor-length gown – any color except white is fine.
Black Tie Optional or Formal
One step down from black tie, this dress code indicates men should opt for a tuxedo or dark suit, preferably with a white button-down shirt underneath. Nicer dress shoes are appropriate. Ladies should wear either a floor-length evening gown, a formal pantsuit or a formal (longer hem) co*cktail dress. Go for heels rather than wedges or sandals.
Semi-Formal, Dressy Casual, or co*cktail
All of these terms mean essentially the same thing. Ties are optional, but guys do need to wear a suit or sport coat. Leather dress shoes or dressy loafers are fine. For the women, formal pantsuits or co*cktail dresses are great, but keep in mind the dress length should be just above the knee or longer. Take the time of day into account, as well: darker fabrics for evening weddings, lighter colors and fabrics are OK for daytime events.
Casual
“Casual” dress often indicates an outdoor affair, so take weather into account while still erring on the dressier side (i.e., no shorts). No suits, jackets or coats are necessary, but men should wear slacks/khakis and a button-downs or polo shirt. Ladies can wear sundresses, jumpsuits or casual maxi dresses.
Beach Casual
Jetting off to a destination wedding? If the celebration is in a tropical locale, opt for sundresses for women and linen pants or khakis for men – still no shorts, unless indicated. Embroidered, button-down linen or Hawaiian shirts are typically OK for men, but make sure the print is not distractingly bold.
What not to wear to a wedding: anything white, anything resembling the bridesmaids’ dresses if you know ahead of time what they’re wearing, anything too revealing or anything that would be more appropriate for a nightclub.
A note on jeans and boots:Texas weddings are a little different than most in that it’s not uncommon to see male guests wear boots and occasionally, a nice pair of jeans. So when is it OK to wear jeans and boots to a wedding? Guys may be able to opt for dressy western boots in lieu of dress shoes for co*cktail, Dressy Casual or Casual events. However, the only dress code where jeans might be appropriate is Casual, and even then, it’s usually a better idea to opt for slacks. Use the venue as a gauge for whether or not this type of attire could be acceptable – think barn venues and rustic, casual outdoor settings. If the ceremony is at a church or religious center, save the jeans and boots for another time. Jeans should always be paired with a button-down long sleeve shirt and weather-permitting, a jacket or sport coat.
What if there’s no dress code specified? Again, this is where you’ll want to use the venue as a guide for what to wear. A rustic or barn venue typically invites a Casual dress code, while more formal wedding venues, country clubs and hotel ballrooms necessitate Dressy Casual or co*cktail attire at a minimum. If the ceremony will be at a church or religious center, you’ll definitely want to forego any Casual attire and choose a Semi-Formal outfit. When in doubt, always err on the dressier side!
FAQs
1) Do Consider the Wedding Dress Code
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.
What does Texas formal attire mean? ›
However, in recent years, “Texas formal” has become a more widely used dress code to encourage guests to dress “fancy” without being afraid to show their personal style and Texas roots. For men, that means you can feel free to wear cowboy boots or bolo ties with suits.
What is the dress code if you are invited to a wedding? ›
"Black tie," "co*cktail attire" or "dress casual" are all acceptable templates. (And trust us, your guests will appreciate the heads-up). If you'd prefer not to explicitly state the dress code, that's okay too. Instead, your invitation design can clue guests in.
How do you answer what is the dress code for a wedding? ›
3. What should I wear?
- “The wedding is casual, so please feel free to wear whatever you'd feel best in!”
- “The wedding is semi-formal, so we encourage you to wear co*cktail attire [for evening events] / Sunday best [for daytime events].”
- “The wedding is formal, so we encourage you to wear black tie attire.
For evening events, darker, more formal colors are recommended, while light colors and airy fabrics work best for daytime affairs. Women can wear below-the-knee dresses, slip dresses, a dressy skirt and top, or an elegant pantsuit (styled with heels, nice wedges, or formal flats).
What is not appropriate to wear as a wedding guest? ›
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.
What to wear to a casual Texas wedding? ›
Casual. “Casual” dress often indicates an outdoor affair, so take weather into account while still erring on the dressier side (i.e., no shorts). No suits, jackets or coats are necessary, but men should wear slacks/khakis and a button-downs or polo shirt. Ladies can wear sundresses, jumpsuits or casual maxi dresses.
What is Texas casual dress code? ›
Typically seen at meetings, many official military events, appointments. o Texas Casual: Western wear, cowboy boots, hats, denim – “cowboy” style. Denim tops worn with denim bottoms is called “The Texas Tuxedo”. Worn at most casual events (and even some dressier ones) throughout the Southwest.
What is considered formal dress code? ›
Men typically wear tuxedos or dark suits for formal events and suits or blazers for semi-formal events. Women often opt for floor-length gowns for formal events and stylish co*cktail dresses or pantsuits for semi-formal events.
What is a standard wedding dress code? ›
If you ever attend a wedding and a dress code isn't specified, it's best to err on the side of formal, as this is what's 'traditional'. To formal weddings, ladies wear the same as they'd wear to black-tie weddings – that is, a floor-length or co*cktail-length gown, or a smart trouser suit.
"If no dress code is provided, I don't think you can go wrong with a semiformal or co*cktail-attire appropriate outfit. After all, it's better to be overdressed than underdressed, especially at an event like a wedding," says Hurwitz.
What does dressy casual mean for a wedding? ›
If you consider it on the scale of semi-formal vs. co*cktail attire, dressy casual is closer to the semi-formal side than the co*cktail one. Light colors and casual materials, like satin or linen, fit the code well. However, it's also worth pointing out that the time of day may also affect the code.
How do you tell guests what the dress code is? ›
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.
Do I have to follow wedding dress code? ›
That said, unfortunately yes—if you choose not to follow the wedding dress code, it will absolutely be noticed. “Simply put, you should always follow the hosts' dress code for any event,” says wedding planner Narelle Allen, owner and creative director of Narelle Janine Events.
What colors to wear to a wedding as a guest? ›
Neutral shades are timeless options that won't detract from the wedding's formal atmosphere. For a more colorful look, consider wearing shades of blue, lavender, or pink to show that you're in the celebratory spirit. If the wedding is in a tropical destination, opt for colors like yellow, orange, and green.
What is the default dress code for a wedding? ›
Men: Tuxedo with tails, white shirt, vest, and bow tie. For additional accessories, consider formal footwear. Women: Formal, floor-length evening gown in luxe fabrics such as lame, velvet, and taffeta. For additional accessories, wear jewelry and heels.
