Invitations to any occasion
The easiest way to get your point across is to include a dress code in the lower right-hand corner of the invite or on a reception card. “Black tie,” “cocktail attire ” or “casual attire ” are all acceptable wordings. (Trust us, your guests will appreciate the heads-up). Your invitation design can also clue guests in.
Your Wedding Invitation You can include your Dress Code on the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation . Alternatively, place the Dress Code at the bottom centre of the design.
Traditional wedding attire wording: 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 )
First, get the wording right. Your wedding guests will be looking for your dress codeābut might not love being told exactly what to wear . Thus, you should be careful with your phrasing. Alongside your attire, try something along the lines of, “Please indulge us by dressing in white, if you don’t mind.”
Etiquette says that invitations should be sent eight weeks before the wedding. That gives four to five weeks to respond, so you can make your RSVP date three to four weeks before the wedding.
Sending them too early or too late can likewise be impolite, so here are basic wedding invite timeline rules: Save the date cards can be sent out as early as a year from your wedding date. Invitations should be sent to your guests six to eight weeks in advance of your wedding .
Classifications are traditionally divided into formal wear (full dress), semi -formal wear (half dress), and informal wear (undress). The first two are sometimes in turn divided into day and evening wear.
It doesn’t matter if the dress code requests “casual” attire; jeans, T-Shirts, shorts, 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.
We recommend a dark suit or tux for the men and formal evening wear (floor length dresses or evening pant suits) for the women. Black Tie usually indicates an evening affair where the men where tuxedos and the women wear formal gowns of any length. This is the most formal of all wedding dress codes.
As a basic guide, party invitations should include: Your name. Type of party : Let your guests know what special occasion or milestone your party is in aid of, whether that be your 30th birthday or your engagement. Date and time of the party .
Direct Words It is appropriate to use traditional, simple phrases to let your guests know to wear casual attire at your event. Simply have printed ” Casual Dress ” before the RSVP. Other phrases: ” Dress is casual ” or ” Casual dress is requested.”
Women should wear a formal floor-length evening gown, no exceptions. Pair your dress with jewelry, heels, and an elegant clutch. Men are required to wear a tuxedo with tails, a formal white shirt, white vest and bow tie, white or gray gloves, and formal footwear, such as derby shoes or oxfords.
You may choose to wear any color except black or white . The guest’s goal should be to blend in with the surroundings and let the bride shine. As her guest, you should avoid attire that could be considered informal or in bad taste. Pastels , jewel tones and earth tones are excellent choices, as are most primary colors.
I would just say ‘ dress code : formal’ or ‘semi-formal’ and at the end of invitation something like ” our wedding will be outside so please make sure you are dressed comfortably.”
Lizzie Post, host of the podcast Awesome Etiquette from the Emily Post Institute, says that no guest should ever feel embarrassed if they happen to wear the same color as the bridesmaids , but they can ask in advance what the colors will be if they’re concerned about it.