Getting a wedding invitation in the mail is always an exciting feeling. But have you ever read the invite & immediately wondered about your wedding attire? You’ll not only get to celebrate your friends, eat good food, dance the night away & it’s an excuse to dress up! Sometimes the wording on the invitation can be a little tricky, but luckily we’re here to decode a few of the typical attire options you’ll see so you can confidently show up in exactly the right outfit.

Black Tie:

This one might go without saying but this will be formal event. Men should wear a tuxedo, or something very similar. A black bow tie, cummerbund & leather shoes would complete the outfit. Women can wear floor length evening dresses, or cocktail dresses (think the first night of the Bachelor!). And if you’re hesitant to purchase because when will you wear something like this again, Rent the Runway has good options for ladies. For men, you can check out The Black Tux & contact us for $20 off!

 

 

Cocktail Attire:

Most evening weddings these days seem to fall into this category, & it’s less formal than black tie. So, depending on the seasonality of the wedding there will be different fabrics & colors at play with this dress code. Men can wear darker colored suits in the winter, still with a tie, & lighter colors in the summer, still paired with dress shoes. Women can wear short or long dresses, or a jumpsuit, which we see much more of these days!

 

Dressy Casual:

The key word here is “dressy” which reminds you that you’re still at a wedding, not your cousin’s bbq, & still expected to put some effort in! That being said, men don’t have to wear ties in this scenario & can wear something other than a suit. Chino pants or slacks are acceptable attire. Women can wear a sundress, a classy romper or jumpsuit, or a skirt & blouse combination. Almost anything goes here when paired with the right shoes.

 

 

While this certainly doesn’t cover all the options you could receive on the next invitation headed your way, we hope it helps. As a planner, we love seeing people get creative with their wedding guest outfits; and always pick out a few guest favorites through out the reception!