Ohh, dress codes… professional, business professional, school appropriate, we’ve all experienced a dress code in one way or another. They’re almost always expected in work environments and school but what about weddings? If you ask me I think weddings absolutely deserve the right to dress code expectations! Wedding days are important and often an elegant celebration. Dress codes may seem a little harsh at first but I promise requesting guests to attend your wedding in a specific attire is a great way to guarantee that no one will look out of place. There’s nothing worse than having your photos thrown off by someone wearing a super bright color that doesn’t match (there’s only so much photo magic we can do in editing!) If asking your guests to dress a certain way makes you a bit nervous I understand; people don’t love to be told what to do or wear but remember this day is about you! Do not hesitate to allow your wedding day to be exactly what you want. In this post, let’s dive into choosing a dress code for your wedding, and how to politely inform your guests!

Introducing… Vibe Cards + Mood Boards!

So, how do we go about asking guests to dress? Easy! Send out a “vibe” card along with your invitations. A What?! A vibe card… aka a mood board for your guests to reference when selecting the attire they will wear to your wedding! Within this card you can capture just about everything: colors, textures, styles, etc. You can also explain what you do and don’t want guests to wear… emphasis on the do not. The time of year and day along with the overall feel of your wedding may influence what you expect guests to show up wearing. For example, typically black tie weddings are in the evening and an upscale experience. Comparatively, if you’re going for a casual style wedding you may be getting married in the daytime and allow guests to wear jeans with suit jackets or cocktail attire. You want your guests to be comfortable but you also want to make sure they are dressing cohesively. 

Wedding mood boards and assigning dress codes for guests has been allll over TikTok and other social media platforms. There has been some backlash but ultimately it is such a fantastic idea. Giving your guests guidelines will help them with their decision making process and it’ll also guarantee that all of your photos will turn out consistent and amazing! 

Showcase Your Color Scheme

So, where do we start? Well let’s go ahead and pull up your wedding color palette! You can virtually pull swatches of colors and textures and easily upload them to Canva or another site to create a cute graphic for the mood board you’re sending to guests. Add in some cute details such as accessories you think would work nicely, suggestions of where to shop, and give a little hint at what they can anticipate when they arrive! By having an idea of what the wedding will look like your guests will know generally what color scheme to stick to. 

Talk About Textures

If you want to really nail down the specifics, tell your guests what type of textures you would like to see. If you’re wanting elegance, lean towards satin or silk dresses and smooth tuxes. If you want something a little more laid back, lean towards cotton or seersucker. Another thing you may want to consider here is the time of year and if your wedding will be indoors or outdoors. Will guests be uncomfortable if you require them to wear a specific fabric? Even though you are requesting dress attire that is cohesive to your event it is still sooooo important that you keep your guests in mind when making these decisions. 

De-Coding Wedding Dress Codes

Using descriptive language can be so beneficial in communicating your preferences to your wedding guests. You may be wondering, how do I describe what it is I’m envisioning, and what’s the correct term? Below is a complete breakdown of every wedding dress code, explained.

White Tie

White tie events are as formal as it gets! This dress code is highly elevated, with women wearing formal floor-length gowns, jewelry, and heels, and men dressed in a tuxedo with tails, vest and bow tie, and gloves.

Black Tie

A black tie dress code indicates that the wedding is held in the evening, and formal attire is expected. Floor length gowns, tuxedos, slightly less formal than white tie.

Formal

Also referred to as “black tie optional”, men have the option of wearing a tuxedo but a formal dark suit and tie is also acceptable. Women are seen with the option of either a floor-length gown, a fancy cocktail dress, or a dressy pantsuit.

Cocktail

A popular wedding dress code for couples planning for a dressy but not highly formal vibe, cocktail events encourage a classy and polished look without looking over the top fancy. Women wear shorter knee length or midi dresses rather than formal floor-length gowns. Men should still wear a suit and tie, or dress pants and a dress shirt.

Semi-Formal (also known as Dressy Casual)

Right in the middle of classy and casual, semi-formal dress codes allow for a bit more flexibility. Depending on the time of day the wedding is held, darker colors should be worn in the evening and lighter colors during the day. Floor-length gowns would be inappropriate, but knee length dresses or a skirt and top paired with heels (guests should be aware that sharp heels are discouraged when walking through grass), wedges, or formal flats would be a great choice! Men should wear a dress shirt and slacks, tie optional.

Casual

A much more laid back vibe! This dress code is great to give your guests if your wedding is held outdoors or on the beach — think sundresses with a more casual fabric, dressy sandals, and khaki pants with a collared shirt for men.

What To and What NOT To Wear

Alright friends… who else has heard horror stories of guests showing up in attire that just completely clashes with the wedding? Whether it’s a guest coming in casual lounge clothes to a cocktail attire event or the mother of the groom wearing white we’ve all heard the tales. One of the easiest ways to avoid this is by giving guests a clear list of what they can and cannot wear. You don't have to specify things such as shape but I absolutely would specify what colors to stay away from and what colors to lean towards! This will make everyone feel as though they are a part of the wedding.

At the end of the day your guests are going to show up in whatever they choose but it doesn’t hurt to politely request they stick to your theme. I also want to emphasize that you don’t need to make your guests buy new attire! Usually neutral colors work well with all wedding color palettes and everyone typically has something in their closet that will work well. But, you know your guests better than anyone else so keep them in mind as you put together your dress code for your wedding.

I hope you found this post helpful! Don’t forget to head on over to the blog for more wedding planning advice, resources and helpful tips.