Check the dress code in advance
The wedding dress code is usually written on the invitation. If it is not listed there, please clarify. It is better to appear boring to the bride and groom and find out what they want from you, than to unpleasantly surprise guests and newlyweds with your appearance.
There are 4 standard wedding dress codes and a themed dress code:
- White Tie (ultraformal)
An extremely rare and very strict dress code for the most special occasions: a royal wedding or the Nobel Prize. There is no room for error here. On the other hand, the dress code is so formal that you don’t need to choose anything, just dress like everyone else. White Tie involves a tailcoat and tailcoat trousers, a starched white shirt and a white vest, a white bow tie, and patent black shoes.
- Black Tie (formal)
One of the most common dress codes for a classic wedding. If Black Tie is specified, wear a tuxedo with satin or silk lapels, a white shirt, a solid bow tie, a cummerbund, and classic black shoes. Accessories include cufflinks and a pocket square.
492DA
Solid black tuxedo
19242.- 24990.-
470SA
White shirt
5382.- 6990.-
42Ti
Black butterfly
1382.- 1795.-
- Coctail (formal, but not very formal)
The most popular dress code for a wedding. A tuxedo is acceptable for guests, but not required. Typically, Coctail means a classic suit (but not the one you wear to business meetings), a shirt (not necessarily white) or a turtleneck. You can experiment with color (if it is not specified in the invitation), patterns are allowed. Accessories include a tie and a pocket square. Shoes - classic (Oxfords, Derbys), less formal (Chelsea, loafers.)
472SA
Plain blue shirt
6922.- 8990.-
78ti
Burgundy plaid tie
3072.- 3990.-
- Casual (informal)
The most democratic dress code. Almost anything is possible, but within reasonable limits. Choose any suit, mismatched trousers and jacket (bright, patterned, even linen). Although the dress code is informal, it still does not mean jeans, even if instead of a banquet there is a picnic in the forest. Tie - optional. If the invitation specifies a color, add accessories to match the color. Almost any shoe is suitable: from classics to loafers, Chelsea boots, moccasins.
- Thematic
The dress code can be absolutely anything - from a vintage wedding to fantasy, music, cinema and so on. Fantasy is limited only by the wishes of the bride and groom (most often only the bride). Everything is simple here - dress in the stated theme of the celebration. Don’t know what they want from you with the phrase: “Wedding in the style of America of the 20s”? Check with Google or the newlyweds.
General information
We share some tips:
- — you need to decide on the theme and style of your wedding and warn guests about this 1.5–2 months before the start of the celebration. After all, they, just like you, need to prepare.
- — you can provide information about appearance in person when presenting the invitation, or write it as a separate paragraph in it.
- - think about whether the guests will like your choice: the costume should not be too expensive or pretentious, otherwise you risk being misunderstood.
In addition, to make the task easier, you can suggest purchasing items of clothing in the color of your wedding as a dress code. For example, it could be a blue bow tie, or a tie, if your wedding is in this color scheme, for women - shoes or a handbag, or maybe a hat, if the event is in the English style.
Note!
- Wedding color. Invite guests to choose clothes in the colors of your celebration. It’s not at all scary if the costumes of the guests differ in tones; in general, the picture will look quite coherent.
- Everything is in style. In addition to the color palette, it is important to evaluate the style of the wedding. So, if you have a nautical-themed wedding, then guests can safely take the appropriate paraphernalia and accessories; if in the “Great Gatsby” style, women can do their hair in the form of Hollywood waves, and men can wear patent black shoes.
- Location. Consider the moment of comfort and convenience for your guests. If the wedding is taking place indoors, with air conditioning, then long-sleeve dresses for women and jackets for men will be quite appropriate. And if the event is located outdoors, with a soft green lawn, your guests will be more comfortable in simple shoes: ballet flats, moccasins.
Important! Remember the time of year in which your celebration will take place. Guests may need to take extra outerwear, or maybe an umbrella.
Do not wear flip-flops, casual clothing or sportswear
All this is worth wearing only if you plan to become a meme and finally outshine the Witness from Fryazino. Even if you know how to organically combine flip-flops with a tuxedo, don’t do it. Sandals, a tracksuit, or simple casual clothing will look disrespectful to those who invited you to the wedding.
Dressing correctly for a wedding is not at all difficult. Just follow the instructions on the invitation, take into account the wishes of the bride and groom in terms of color and select clothes according to the stated dress code. Without the desire to stand out, make fun or be original.
Simplify the dress code for men
It happens that men are shy or simply too lazy to dress thematically, so it’s better not to expect that all the groom’s friends will come wearing a shirt of the same color. It is better to make the dress code for men as simple as possible - here the classics will come to the rescue. A white shirt, black tuxedo, neat bow tie or tie will never go out of style.
Organization: wedding agency Happy Moments Collector Photographer: Igor Bulgak
How to declare a wedding dress code?
The easiest way to do this is in invitations. Moreover, it is better not only to indicate the required dress code, but also to decipher what kind of clothing is meant (as was done above), because Not everyone is familiar with standard notation. The transcript, of course, should not be given in the invitation itself, but attached separately.
If you have doubts about some guests (for example, the older generation) that they will not understand the meaning of the dress code or will not pay attention to it at all, talk to them separately. Explain what the dress code is, why it is necessary, and how to comply. Then you can be almost sure that all guests will dress according to the level of your celebration.
Have a beautiful wedding and - for sure! - beautiful guests. 
Sample
There are a huge number of ways to invite witnesses, friends, sisters and brothers, grandparents and loved ones to a wedding.
Filling out an invitation correctly is not always easy, because you need to take into account a huge number of details, which are quite difficult to describe.
The main thing is that the text is cute and interesting, this can be called a success. Also, if you wish, you can insert a photo of the future newlyweds if there is space left on the card. As an example, we use the following option:
“Allow me to invite you to the most important holiday in our lives - the first family celebration at which our destinies and hearts will be united! We would be extremely pleased if you were present at this event and shared our happiness and joy.”
After this, the date, time and location of the ceremony and other details are indicated. The newlyweds must also enter their names and sign.
How to choose a text style
There are three types of style for inviting guests to the ceremony: formal, informal and humorous.
There is no emotionality in the official style; only information is important in it. Often it is used to invite not the closest people or distant relatives.
To invite close relatives or friends to a wedding, it is best to use an informal style.
It allows the use of diminutive names of guests. You can also write a more emotional text in poetry or prose. To invite close friends to a wedding, you can use a humorous text.
This choice is optimal if the style of the wedding involves friends performing some humorous procedures or using an unusual dress code.
A funny text will amuse the guests and lift their spirits, which will also be a definite advantage.
How to address guests in invitations
Addressing guests in invitations is also an important factor. When using the official style, it is necessary to write down the full name of the guest, without using initials, with the address “Dear”, “Dear”, “Venerable” in capital letters.
In an informal style, it is permissible to address the guest by his full name or abbreviated name. For relatives, you can also use affectionate addresses such as “Mom”, “Dad”, “Grandma”.
It is best if the invitations are given from hand to hand - this will emphasize the sincerity of the card and show the guest that his presence at the wedding is extremely important.
How to write about the dress code
If the wedding will be held in a certain style, guests must be informed about this.
For this purpose, the dress code is indicated in the invitation. Guests should know what clothes and what colors they should wear to the ceremony. So, for a pirate-themed wedding, you need to take care of costumes in advance and assign roles.
Dress code information is indicated at the end of the invitation.
Invitation signature - options
Depending on the style of the text, the signatures of the newlyweds will also vary. For formal style, you must write your full first and last name, without initials.
When using informal style, you can get by using full or diminutive names. According to European traditions, the female name comes first and only then the male name.
Also, when inviting a large family to a wedding, be sure to indicate the name of the head of the family.
But the signatures of the newlyweds are not always necessary. If the ceremony will include a small number of guests, up to 20 people, then signing invitations is a good idea.
You can even write the text of the invitation by hand, provided that the handwriting is beautiful and legible. But if you are planning a large wedding, doing all the work yourself is a bad idea. Invitations can be purchased at a printing house, where they will be beautifully filled out by specialists.
In this case, the place for the names of the guests and the signatures of the newlyweds can be left empty, after which all that remains is to fill out the form.
