A wedding is a visionary dream, where all the meticulous details beautifully come to life for an indelible tangible experience. The venue, flowers, music, cocktails and seating plan - every element all uniting in a symphony to create a visual masterpiece that curates the experience for guests. Yet equally important (and often overlooked) is the dress code - a set of guidelines for your guests to equally look the part and dress in attire fitting for the atmosphere and your vision. But we're not naive to the fact that sometimes things don't pan out as smoothly as planned, with guests often disheartened by the dress guidelines, or not adhering at all. So, we give you all the best tips to setting and communicating your dress code to guests in a way that is clear and respectful to aign both parties from the get go.
Giambattista Valli Paris, Annúko
Set a Dress Code
First things first – think about your venue when setting your dress code. Whether it's a centuries-old villa, church or even beachside hotel, its type and formality of the location play an integral role in setting the tone and guidelines for the attire. For example, a ceremony within a sacred church or temple may require more respectable, formal wear, where as beachside and garden celebrations can often be more relaxed. Some of the key standard dress codes include:
White Tie
White tie is the strictest of all dress codes. It's the one you'll see at royal banquets and state dinners. The white tie dress code requires women to be dressed in full-length evening gowns, and men in black tailcoats coupled with a formal white shirt, vest and bow tie.
Black Tie
Black tie is as formal as a white tie, leaving very little room for interpretation. Women are encouraged to attend the event in formal floor-length gowns or elegant pantsuits. For men, a black tuxedo is a must.
Formal
A slightly less formal variation of black tie that's perfect for elegant dinner party vibes. Men have the option of wearing a tuxedo or formal dark suit, while women can either choose a gown that is a bit shorter than floor length, an elegant cocktail dress, or a dressy pantsuit.
Cocktail
An extremely popular choice for its felixibility! It's the perfect balance between comfort and fancy. Typically, cocktail dress code involves tea-length, knee-length and midi looks for women, and suits with optional ties for men. The main rule here is to look polished but have fun with it.
Festive
Festive dress code allows you to be more experimental and creative with your looks. It usually involves statement jewelry, attire in bolder colors, intricate embroidery, playful prints and textures.
Themed
Themed weddings are exactly what their name implies: deeply influenced by a specific aesthetic, whether it's Barbie-inspired, Great Gatsby vibes, or retro-influenced. This means guests are expected to dress in accordance with the couple's chosen theme or concept.
Smart Casual
Smart casual combines elements of both formal and casual attire, creating a polished yet relaxed look. For women, it's a summer-style midi or maxi length dress or elegant separates. For men, a button-up shirt with neatly tailored trousers.
Casual
The most relaxed dress code ideal for outdoor weddings with a laid-back atmosphere. Think collared shirts with dress pants and elegant summer dresses paired with comfy wedges or floral sandals.
Specify a Color Scheme
Along with your dress code, setting a color scheme for guests can be one of the best ways to create a visual impact on your photos. It can be cohesive with your event design colors, inspired by the setting of your venue (such as blues for a seaside affair), or even in complete contrast to your theme! While suggesting colors, however, we recommend keeping in mind that not everyone feels comfortable or has access to styles in your specified color scheme, so including neutrals as an option is always great for guests. And while it is generally known and understood, if it's particularly important to you that guests don't wear white, it's always good to stipulate this.
Create a Mood Board
Let’s be real, not everyone is a fashion connoisseur and so decoding dress codes and color schemes can be quite a challenge for some guests, particularly if they are a first-time goer of a wedding! So visual aids can be incredibly helpful in giving your guests a better understanding of the style, making sure everyone is on the same page. You can do this by providing reference images, or even by creating a collaged mood board or Pinterest board with outfit ideas and style inspiration in line with the dress code and aesthetic you envision.
Communication is Key
How and when you share your dress code is imperative to ensure it is received loud and clear and nothing is missed. One of the easiest ways to share the information is on your wedding website, or simply as a note on the bottom of a wedding invitation or as a separate card. Either way, ensure it is clear, concise, easy to read and accessible up until your wedding day, so guests can refer back to it if need be. Cursive writing can often be difficult to follow, as well as large bodies of copy, so a simple, to the point approach is best, keeping it short and sweet.
Be Specific - But Not Too Specific!
The last thing any couple wants is for their guests to feel uncomfortable, or to end up on Reddit as a crazy, overbearing example of what not to do when setting a wedding dress code! To avoid any of this, offer some clear guidelines yes, but don't go overboard controlling the specifics of your dress code. Allow room for flexibility and self-expression within your dress code, so everyone can find something suitable within their wardrobe without feeling pressured to buy new clothes.
Outline Any Restrictions
Wedding dress codes can include restrictions for a myriad of reasons. These will often be due to cultural or religious beliefs (such as covering shoulders in a sacred space or a specific color being a bad omen), or a venue having certain rules (such as no visible tattoos or covered shoes). And, as we said, if it's particularly important to you that guests don't wear white, or to even not match the groom or bridesmaids' colors, it's always important to stipulate this. Whatever the reason, ensure to communicate the no nos to your guests upfront so they can dress respectfully and avoid any issues upon entry.
Be Inclusive
Last but not least, when planning your dress code, keep in mind the different needs of your guests: body types, abilities, and ages. Make sure to use inclusive language and include some gender-neutral outfit ideas as well.
