Wedding Wear Wonders - Different Dress Codes Explained
By Theresa Farrage, S.Lukas & Company Associate Planner
As a perpetual bridesmaid turned event planner, I’ve attended so many weddings and special events as both a guest and a coordinator.
My closet is full of bridesmaid dresses, cocktail attire, formal gowns, and I even have a dress that I consider to be something called beach formal.
If you’re thinking of hosting a wedding reception with an attire stipulation, here are a few simple rules to follow in order to ease your guests’ wedding wear wonders.
VENUE
Ballrooms, art museums, mansions, and country clubs tend to welcome a more formal fashion sense such as black-tie, black-tie optional, formal or cocktail.
Barns, industrial spaces, outdoor locations, and more informal banquet halls work best with cocktail, semi-formal, or casual attire.
Photo by Blackbird Photographie. The Palace Barn.
TIME OF YEAR AND DAY
Evening events that begin after 5 pm tend to be more formal. Daytime gatherings are more relaxed with a casual dress code.
Summer receptions, especially those that have an outdoor component, tend to be less formal than a winter soiree.
Photo by Dana Damewood. Cocktails on the front lawn at Happy Hollow Country Club.
YOUR GUESTS
No one knows your guests better than you. If your crowd isn’t into tuxedos or they’re more of a jeans and t-shirt group, that’s totally fine. Do whatever makes you and your guests feel comfortable.
So, what do these attire terms mean? I’ve ranked them from most to least formal.
Black-Tie:
Men: Tuxedos with a black bow tie and cufflinks are expected.
Women: Floor-length gowns with refined jewelry should be worn.
Black-Tie Optional:
Men: Tuxedos are accepted, but dark suits are also okay.
Women: Long gowns are fine, but cocktail dresses that hit midi or knee-length will work.
Formal:
Men: A nice suit with a tie or bow tie will do.
Women: Fancier cocktail dresses are preferred.
Cocktail:
Men: A full suit isn’t required, but a jacket with a tie is a great addition.
Women: A short formal dress or a dressy jumpsuit is acceptable.
Semi-Formal:
Men: A dress shirt with tie or bow tie and a nice pair of dress slacks will suffice.
Women: Midi or cocktail length dresses are accepted, but you can never go wrong with a little black dress.
Photo by Sam Areman Photography. Guests are wearing cocktail attire.
If there’s one thing that is tricky to dictate, it’s attire. Don’t stress about how people dress. The day isn’t about how they look; it’s about you and your soon-to-be spouse.