One of the most important (but sometimes overlooked) details of planning your wedding is the dress code. Dress codes aren’t about being strict or formal for the sake of it; they’re about setting the tone for your celebration and helping your guests feel comfortable and confident and to make your wedding photos look great.
Here’s everything you need to know about why wedding dress codes matter and how to communicate them.
Why Do Weddings Have Dress Codes?
A dress code sets expectations for the overall feel of your wedding day. Whether you’re hosting a black-tie gala in a grand mansion or a barefoot beach wedding at sunset, your guests want to know how to dress appropriately and feel at ease while celebrating you.
Dress codes help:
- Match the formality of the setting (and avoid awkward outfit mishaps)
- Make your wedding photos look cohesive and polished
- Respect the time, place, and style of the celebration
- Let guests plan ahead, saving them the stress of wondering what’s “appropriate”
How to Tell Your Guests About the Dress Code (Without Being Awkward)
1. Include it on your wedding invitation or website
A simple line like “Black Tie Attire” or “Casual Garden Party Dress” is perfectly acceptable to put on your invitations, often at the bottom or on a details card. On your wedding website, you can go into more detail if needed (and even suggest outfit ideas!).
2. Be clear but friendly
Instead of being overly formal or bossy, phrase it as a helpful heads-up.
Example:
“We’re so excited to celebrate with you! Our venue is semi-formal, so we recommend cocktail attire — think suits and party dresses.”
3. Offer outfit inspiration if needed
If your dress code is less traditional (like “Boho Chic” or “Festival Glam”), it’s a good idea to explain what that looks like. Pinterest boards or a few visual cues on your wedding website can be super helpful!
4. Communicate early
Give guests enough time to plan, shop, and prepare, especially if your dress code is more formal than the typical event they might attend or you’ve requested that guests wear specific colours.
Common Wedding Dress Codes Explained
- White Tie: The most formal—think floor-length gowns and tuxedos with tails.
- Black Tie: Elegant evening attire—tuxedos for men, formal dresses or gowns for women.
- Formal / Black Tie Optional: Tuxedos and long dresses are great, but suits and cocktail dresses are perfectly acceptable too.
- Cocktail Attire: Suits or dressy jackets for men; short to mid-length party dresses for women.
- Smart Casual: Suits without ties, sundresses, or jumpsuits.
- Casual: Think daytime dresses, polos, dress trousers. (Still a step up from jeans and trainers unless specifically noted!)
- Themed / Creative Dress Codes: Some couples opt for fun themes like “Tropical Chic,” “Rustic Autumn,” or “All-White Attire.” These are a chance for guests to get creative—just make sure you offer examples!
Wedding Dress Code Etiquette: Dos and Don’ts
✔️ Do:
- Make it easy for guests to find the dress code information
- Be consistent across your website, invites and emails.
- Stay gracious if a few guests miss the memo — it happens!
❌ Don’t:
- Micromanage or criticise guests’ outfit choices
- Impose overly complicated or expensive dress codes without considering your guests’ comfort and budgets
- Assume everyone knows what “festive casual” means—clarify when needed!
At the end of the day, your guests want to celebrate you in style and love knowing what’s expected of them. A clear, kind dress code isn’t about being strict, it’s about helping everyone feel included, confident, and ready to party!