How to describe our dress code to guests

A short and polite way to explain your formal, black-tie dress code on your wedding invites could be:

"Black Tie – A night of elegance! Gentlemen, please wear a tuxedo or a dark suit with a bow tie. Ladies, formal floor-length gowns or evening dresses. Dress to impress and celebrate in style with us!"

This keeps it clear, polite, and encouraging while setting the expectation that guests should go all out for the occasion.

If you’d like extra reinforcement, you can also include a dress code guide on your wedding website or send out a friendly reminder closer to the date.

If you need help with groom and groomsmen suits, we’d love to assist! Reach out at hello@modusoperandisydney.com.au, and we’ll make sure everyone looks the part.

Hey!

Perhaps state the code as "Formal Black Tie"  as this will clarify it's not a "play on black tie" it IS a black tie. :-) 

And then a simple description like we have on our guide would be helpful on your website? 

Hope this helps! It's always a tricky one. 

We have one here: 
https://menssuitwarehouse.com.au/blogs/blog-mens-suit-warehouse-melbourne/mens-wedding-and-event-dress-code-guide

For Black Tie, You'll be wearing:

• Black Tuxedo
• Black Bow Tie
• White Tuxedo Shirt
• Patent Leather Shoes 
• If you don't have Patent Shoes, don't worry - Black and shiny new will work. Try any black options from the Martino Carolus collection.

With a more casual attitude towards dress these days a dress code is a good thing to include in your invitations .

If you really want a Black Tie wedding then you will need to be quite specific re the dress code , very few guests would have a tux in their wardrobe 

To assist  your guests to dress in an appropiate manner you may include the name of a formal hire shop .Im sure you could organise a discount for guests who need to hire , then you get to have a black tie wedding  without too much additionl cost to your guests.

Mentioning a dress code ensures your event stays as formal or as casual as you want, and it’s helpful for guests to know exactly what is expected of them for attire. Here you will find some helpful ideas for wording your Dress Code whether you’re hosting a formal or casual wedding.

If you want to be specific about the dress code there are three main places you can do so:

You can include your Dress Code on the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation. Alternatively, place the Dress Code at the bottom centre of the design.

If you are including a Details or Information card with other important information for your guests, use this to list your dress code as well as it keeps your invitation nice and simple.

If you are already providing a wedding website for other details and important information for guests, use this space to also list your dress code.

DRESS CODES EXPLAINED

White Tie

White Tie or full evening dress is the most formal of all wedding dress codes. Gentlemen dress in long-tail tuxedos and the women don full-length ball gowns.

Black Tie

Black Tie usually indicates an evening wedding where men wear tuxedos with black bow tie and women wear formal floor-length gowns. Despite the name, Black tie does not mean you must wear black, although traditionally men would wear a black tuxedo and a bow tie.

Formal or Black Tie Optional

These phrases mean that guests are encouraged to wear attire that suits a black tie dress code, but that this is optional. Men should wear a dark suit with a shirt and tie if they don’t wish to wear a tuxedo. Women may wear a floor-length gown, or a knee-length cocktail dress, a pantsuit, or dressy separates.

Lounge Suit or Semi-Formal

A step down in formality from Black tie and suitable for a semi-formal daytime wedding. This indicates that the wedding party will be in formal wedding attire, and it’s optional for all guests. We recommend a classic suit or tux including a tie, and formal evening wear (floor-length dresses or evening pantsuits) for women.

Jacket & Tie

Similar to Lounge Suit or Semi-Formal, however Jacket & Tie indicates that it is acceptable for men to wear a sports jacket, suit jacket or even a smart blazer and chinos with a tie. Women may wear a cocktail dress that is shorter than floor-length, a pantsuit, or dressy separates to a Jacket & Tie event.

Cocktail attire

Cocktail attire isn’t overly formal and is asking guests to be dressed a step above smart casual. An above-the-knee hem (or any length above floor length) is appropriate for women. Men can wear a suit (tie optional) or sports jacket and dress shirt.

Smart Casual

Smart casual means wedding guests are being asked to dress neatly, without being overly dressy – or overly casual. We recommend a dress, smart trousers or a skirt for women and dark denim, chinos or suit paints with a neat shirt for men.

Hello! 

As a rule of thumb, It's important to have this listed somewhere. Invitations and your website are fine (use your website as a way to elaborate on what you are after). 

Be aware however, that the traditional black-tie is typically seen as an evening thing, usually conjuring up images of tuxedos, etc. You may be more after something that's "formal" and not black tie. Also, be mindful that not everyone will have the appropriate wear in their wardrobe to match this dress code. People dress far less formally than they used to and as such, I think perhaps it's more prudent to suggest "Formal, with black tie optional" as a more forgiving dress code. You can then use your other correspondence to specifically detail what you mean so there isn't any ambiguity with your guests. 

I hope that this helps! Let me know if I can provide you with any further information. Thank you!!