— Guide
Wedding dress code wording, from black tie to relaxed
Put the dress code in one short line near the end of the invitation, using a term guests recognise, such as black tie, cocktail attire or smart casual. If the term alone could leave anyone unsure, add half a sentence about the venue or the weather.
Black tie
A short note to your guests
Black tie. We're dressing for a long evening and hope you will too.
A short note to your guests
The evening is black tie, so it's time for the dinner jacket and the long dress.
A short note to your guests
Black tie optional. Tuxedos are welcome and a dark suit is just as right.
Formal
A short note to your guests
Formal attire, please. Dark suits and elegant dresses.
A short note to your guests
Dress code, formal. The ceremony is in an old stone hall and we'd like to match it.
A short note to your guests
Ties on for the ceremony, off for the dancing.
Cocktail
A short note to your guests
Cocktail attire. Think around the knee, think dancing.
A short note to your guests
Dress for drinks at sunset. Ties are optional.
A short note to your guests
Cocktail attire, please, with shoes that can last until the last song.
Semi-formal and smart casual
A short note to your guests
Semi-formal. Smart, comfortable and ready for a long lunch.
A short note to your guests
Smart casual. No ties needed, but leave the trainers at home.
A short note to your guests
Dress as you would for a nice dinner with friends.
Garden and beach
A short note to your guests
The ceremony is on the lawn, so flat shoes or block heels will save you.
A short note to your guests
Beach formal. Light linen, sandals and nothing that minds a little sand.
A short note to your guests
We'll be outside after dark. Bring a jacket or a wrap for the breeze off the water.
A short note to your guests
Summer garden attire. Light colours and fabrics that breathe.
Colours and no white
A short note to your guests
We'd love you in colour, any shade except white.
A short note to your guests
Please leave white to the bride. Every other colour is welcome.
A short note to your guests
If you'd like to match our palette, think sage, cream and soft gold. Entirely optional.
A short note to your guests
Bright colours very welcome. This is a party, not a board meeting.
Relaxed
A short note to your guests
No dress code. Wear whatever makes you feel like celebrating.
A short note to your guests
Come comfortable. It's a backyard wedding and there will be grass.
A short note to your guests
Dressed up or dressed down, we only care that you're there.
Henna night
A short note to your guests
It's a henna night, so a touch of red is very welcome.
A short note to your guests
Wear something you can dance in for hours. A little red is a bonus.
One line
Dress code, black tie.
Dress code, garden party.
Dress code, smart casual.
Where the dress code goes
On a printed set it usually sits on the details card or low on the main card, well below the names. On a digital invitation, write it in the note to guests, so it reads as practical information and doesn't compete with the date and venue. Mention it again in the message you send with the link only when it really matters, for example a ceremony on sand.
What each dress code asks for
- Black tie. Dinner jackets or tuxedos, and long evening dresses or very smart cocktail dresses
- Black tie optional. A tuxedo is welcome, a dark suit and tie is equally right
- Formal. Dark suits with ties, elegant dresses of any length
- Cocktail attire. Suits where the tie can come off, dresses around the knee or a smart jumpsuit
- Semi-formal. A step below cocktail, often a daytime wedding, a suit without a tie or a smart day dress
- Smart casual. A shirt and chinos, a summer dress, nothing you'd wear to the gym
- Beach or garden. Light fabrics, flat shoes or block heels, a layer for the evening
Colours, palettes and no white
Guests usually know not to wear white, but one friendly line removes all doubt. If you'd like guests to follow a colour palette, offer it as an idea rather than a rule, because not everyone owns something in your exact shade of sage. Asking for bright colours or for one shared colour works best for a party where photos matter to you.
Practical notes guests will thank you for
Fashion terms matter less than the ground and the weather. If the ceremony is on a lawn, mention flat shoes. If dinner is outside and runs past sunset, suggest a jacket or a wrap. If there's a hill, cobbles or a boat, say so. These notes are what guests remember on the day.
On a Digitally Invite invitation
There's no separate dress code field. Write it in your note to guests, one or two lines, and it appears with the rest of the note. You can change it from your panel at any time, and anyone who opens the link afterwards sees the new wording.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to put a dress code on a wedding invitation?
No. Without one, guests dress smartly for the time of day and the venue. Add one when you want something more formal, more relaxed or suited to the ground.
How do I say no white on a wedding invitation?
Keep it light and short, for example "We'd love you in colour, any shade except white." Put it in the note to guests.
What is the difference between formal and black tie?
Black tie means tuxedos or dinner jackets and evening dresses. Formal is a step down, where a dark suit and an elegant dress are enough.
Should the dress code go on the wedding website too?
A digital invitation is already a page your guests open on their phones, so one line in the note covers both.