Wedding Attire

No one wants to stand out for the wrong reasons at a wedding. Help your guests feel confident when choosing their attire by including details for your preferred dress code. Include a line about the wedding dress code somewhere within the invitation suite or on your wedding website. It's best to include it on the back of the invitation or on a separate enclosure card to ensure every guest sees your request.

Keep it clear and concise:
• Black tie
• Cocktail attire
• Garden party attire

For themed weddings or color requests, include a note that makes your desire very clear so guests are sure to dress accordingly.

Shop Attire Cards

 

Black Tie

The most formal common dress code. Think evening elegance and elevated venues.

Men

• Attire: Tuxedo, black bow tie
• Shoes: Patent leather or highly polished black dress shoes (oxfords preferred)
• Accessories: Matching cufflinks and tuxedo buttons, formal dress watch (gold, silver, platinum)

Women

• Attire: Floor-length gown or very formal dress
• Shoes: Heels or very formal flats (satin, metallic, or embellished)
• Jewelry: Elevated and refined—think statement earrings, diamonds, or classic fine jewelry
Good to know:
This sets a high expectation—guests may need to rent or purchase attire. Best suited for evening weddings in formal venues.

Black Tie Optional

A flexible version of black tie.

Men

• Attire: Tuxedo or a dark suit with tie
• Shoes: Black or dark brown leather dress shoes (oxfords or derbies)

Women

• Attire: Floor-length, midi, or elevated cocktail dress
• Shoes: Heels, dressy sandals, or elegant flats
• Jewelry: Polished and intentional—statement pieces or classic sets both work

Good to know:
Gives guests options while still signaling a polished, upscale look.

Cocktail Attire

The most popular wedding dress code.

Men

• Clothes: Suit and tie. (Note that a tie can be considered optional with cocktail attire.)
• Shoes: Dress shoes or sleek loafers

Women

• Clothes: Knee-length, midi, or dressy short dress
• Shoes: Heels, dressy sandals, or stylish flats
• Jewelry: A chance to have fun—statement earrings, layered pieces, or bold accents

Good to know:
A safe, versatile choice that most guests already have in their closet.

Semi-Formal

Slightly more relaxed than cocktail.

Men

• Clothes: Dress shirt with blazer or suit, tie optional
• Shoes: Loafers or dress shoes (lighter colors and materials work well)

Women

• Clothes: Dressy skirt, midi dress, or polished jumpsuit
• Shoes: Block heels, wedges, dressy flats, or sandals
• Jewelry: Simple and understated—delicate necklaces, small hoops, or minimal layers

Good to know:
Often used for daytime weddings. Still polished, just less formal.

Dressy Casual

Comfortable, but still intentional.

Men

• Clothes: Button-down shirt, optional blazer, no tie required
• Shoes: Loafers, clean leather sneakers (if appropriate), or casual dress shoes

Women

• Clothes: Sundress, casual midi dress, or nice top with skirt/pants
• Shoes: Sandals, wedges, flats, or low heels
• Jewelry: Light and effortless—everyday pieces or subtle accents

Good to know:
Great for outdoor, backyard, or summer weddings. Helps guests avoid being overdressed.

Casual

Relaxed and informal.

Men

• Clothes: Button-down or polo with nice pants
• Shoes: Loafers, casual leather shoes, or clean, minimal sneakers

Women

• Clothes: Sundress or casual outfit
• Shoes: Sandals, flats, or casual wedges
• Jewelry: Minimal and practical—keep it simple and comfortable

Good to know:
Even “casual” weddings still lean polished—guests should avoid jeans, shorts, or overly athletic wear unless explicitly stated.

Themed or Specialty

Examples include:

• Beach Formal
• Garden Party
• All Black / All Neutrals
• Seasonal colors (e.g., “Shades of Blue”)

Good to know:
If you choose a themed dress code, clarity is everything. Consider adding a short explanation or examples on your details card or wedding website.

For the Guests

• Avoid wearing white (or anything close to it).
Skip white, ivory, champagne, very light gray, or heavily white-patterned outfits to keep the focus where it belongs.

• Consider the setting.
Dress for the venue and environment—heels may not work for outdoor or grassy spaces, and layers are helpful for cooler evenings.

• Follow cultural or religious considerations.
Some ceremonies may take place in religious settings or include cultural traditions that call for more modest attire.

• When in doubt, dress slightly up.
It’s almost always better to be a touch overdressed than underdressed.

Dress Code Wording Examples

General Dress Code
Cocktail attire requested.
Black tie optional.
Semi-formal attire.

Color Palette or Theme
We kindly invite guests to wear shades of blue.
Join us in a neutral palette—think black, beige, and soft earth tones.
Our celebration will feature an all-black dress code.
Garden party attire in soft pastels is encouraged.

Tip: If your request is more specific, consider adding examples on your wedding website to help guide guests.

A Few Notes on Tone (for your internal alignment or a subtle tip section)
"Encouraged" feels softer than "required"
Specific examples reduce confusion
Pairing attire with setting ("garden", "evening", etc.) helps guests interpret correctly

 

Outdoor or Seasonal Guidance
The ceremony will take place outdoors—please dress accordingly.
Lawn-friendly footwear is recommended.
Light layers are encouraged for an evening celebration.

Cultural or Venue Considerations
The ceremony will be held in a place of worship; modest attire is appreciated.
Please bring a shawl or jacket for the ceremony.

Adults-Only or Formal Expectations (Subtle Tone Setting)
An evening of dinner and dancing to follow. (implies a more formal feel)
Join us for a formal celebration.

When You Want to Keep It Flexible
Dressy casual attire.
Come as you feel your best—we can’t wait to celebrate with you.