From gala receptions to garden parties, how to decipher dress codes on invitations
Summer is the traditional wedding season! The choice of couples is clear - in good weather it is much more pleasant to hold parties, because you don’t have to huddle in a restaurant hall, but have a celebration right in the open air. However, celebrating outdoors does not cancel out exquisite outfits - not only for the bride and groom, but also for the guests. A guide to dress codes so that the inscriptions on invitations will never confuse you again.
This is, of course, the most luxurious and strictest dress code - those who decided to party in this format clearly took the expression “walk like a king” too literally. The likelihood of encountering such a dress code in real life (if there are no representatives of the aristocracy among your friends, of course), frankly speaking, is not so great, but you need to be prepared for anything.
Here you cannot do without a real evening dress, and preference should be given to materials that “play” in the light: satin, silk, fabrics embroidered with sequins. White Tie is not a place for experimentation, the rules have not changed for many decades (and no relaxations!), so you should choose classic evening styles and stilettos.
As for accessories, you need to add long gloves, a miniature handbag and, of course, diamonds. Men cannot do without a black tailcoat and tailcoat trousers with silk or satin stripes, a starched white shirt and a vest to match (it must be buttoned with all the buttons). 829 rub.
When choosing a wardrobe, you can be inspired by the TV series “Downton Abbey”, the film “Titanic” and photo reports from receptions at Buckingham Palace.
Let's exhale! Here everything is no longer so strict, although no less solemn! Elegance still remains the main criterion when choosing an image. Ideally, choose a floor-length dress, although some concessions here are already acceptable. So, you can choose a shorter dress, the main thing is that it covers your knees. Lace and glitter are also welcome guests here, but some experiments with cut and colors are already acceptable. Expensive jewelry is also optional, and in general this type of dress code contains, perhaps, the largest number of concessions.
So, if it is marked optional, then you can safely choose shorter dresses (even with open knees, but you should still refrain from revealing minis!), or a formal trouser suit, or even an elegant evening jumpsuit.
Men, who are required by classic black tie to wear a tuxedo and a black bow tie, are allowed to come in a regular formal suit and tie. The creative dress code option, as the name implies, gives freedom of imagination (within reason, of course!). Here you can experiment with cut and bright details. I want to walk out with rainbow shoes from Christian Louboutin and handbags from Judith Leiber - no one will mind!
Here you can be inspired by almost any red carpet (with caution from domestic events).
The hint for women lies in the name itself: feel free to choose a cocktail dress! Initially, this style arose when there was a need to adapt old evening dresses to the laws of new times. Thus, cocktail dresses appeared during Prohibition in the United States.
In a shortened version of the classic evening dress, it was easy to dance catchy dances of the 20s. Today, such a dress code usually means that the event will begin in the daytime (at least before seven o'clock in the evening). Bright colors and light, airy fabrics like chiffon are welcome here. Velvet and satin are also acceptable, but this is a more winter variation of cocktail - however, if the summer day turns out to be cold, then why not! For footwear, you can safely choose shoes or sandals in metallic shades, as well as those decorated with rhinestones and crystals.
Men at such an event are expected to wear suits: a tie or a cheerful (yes, it is not necessary to adhere to strict monochrome) bow tie.
A beach party is a dream for many! After all, it’s so spectacular and romantic: the endless azure, the most beautiful sunset, the sound of the surf, which is better than any fashionable DJ, etc. Stop! We usually come to the beach in swimsuits, but why don’t you go to an event in it? The beach formal dress code will tell you what else you can wear on the beach.
In fact, everything is simple here: almost any elegant summer dress or jumpsuit will do. Natural fabrics, prints, romantic frills and embroidery are welcome. It is worth choosing colors that go well with the seascape: these are shades of red, carrot, yellow and blue. Natural pastel shades will also be a win-win option.
Rejoice, lovers of comfortable shoes - of course, no one expects stilettos from you here. You can complement the outfit with sandals with low square heels or flat sandals, but large jewelry from the assortment of good costume jewelry will help add a festive look: beads, hippie-style pendants, round earrings and massive bracelets.
In our country, this type of dress code is not yet very common, but do not be afraid of the unfamiliar name. In essence, this is a variation of the cocktail uniform, only even more free and playful - being a little overdressed in this situation is not only not scary, but even commendable.
Add a cheerful vibe with statement accents like a necklace, red pumps or a sparkly clutch. Men can ditch the classic suit and play with a combination of different textures: corduroy or flannel trousers, tweed or velvet jackets.
Today, many people prefer to give up pompous events: it is not only expensive, but also seems to many to be quite old-fashioned. Some brides themselves are ready to wear jeans to the registry office! In this case, it is certainly inappropriate to torment guests with a complex dress code. Jeans in this version really come to mind first and are quite acceptable, but you can complement them with more elegant things: a blouse with a spectacular bow, a silk top or an elegant jacket. Sets of trousers and a cardigan and dresses made of jersey are also acceptable.
If you are planning a simple barbecue party, then a pullover, jeans and sneakers or a regular summer dress will be quite appropriate. However, no matter how democratic this dress code may be, you should still refuse T-shirts with prints, sports trousers and running sneakers.
Source of the article: https://zen.yandex.ru/media/id/5e9937923cc2370606bc5a5c/ot-torjestvennyh-priemov-do-vecherinki-v-sadu-kak-pravilno-rasshifrovat-dresskody-v-priglasheniiah-5ee065d13fe7c46ea263ed2c
Original texts for wedding invitations
A wedding invitation and the text for it become the subject of careful search and a difficult task for every couple, because they want an unforgettable and most original wedding! So, wedding invitations should be special. The main rule is that wedding invitations, their design and text must correspond to the general style and theme of the wedding. And by choosing the beginning, main text and end of the invitation (a block of information and dress code options), you will create your own original invitation that meets all your requirements. But it will be best if you come up with some part yourself.
Select the beginning of the invitation
- We ourselves did not expect, but this day has come - We are getting married!
- Let me invite you to the Most Important Celebration of our entire lives.
- We have the honor to invite you, as a devoted fan of our union, to a wedding celebration with registration and subsequent fun in honor of the birth of a new family!
- Don't make plans for the summer - we are waiting for you at our wedding!
- Hurray, we will soon become a family!
Select the main text of the invitation
We invite you to share with us the celebration dedicated to our wedding day! Don't worry and don't run out and buy expensive suits. No formality, fuss or solemn speeches
Only close friends, nature and a lot of wine (champagne, alcohol, fun, music, dancing).
Don't miss the event of the year - our wedding day! We absolutely cannot imagine our holiday without you, so put everything aside and come to our wedding!
Save this gentle postcard invitation as a memory of this important event for us, and we will keep your warm words and wishes in our hearts. We believe that this day will serve as the beginning of our happy family life
Therefore, we cannot imagine our holiday without your participation. Share with us this main event of this season - give us your attention and support.
We believe and hope that this day will be a beautiful start to a long and happy life. And we cannot imagine this holiday without you, people close and dear to us. Share our joy with us, give your support and good wishes at the beginning of our great journey together, and we will gladly give you a piece of our happiness.
You have opened this delicate transparent envelope, and we invite you to open with us a new stage of our life - just as tender and transparent. We will be happy if you share our joy on this unforgettable day.
This day will be the beginning of our long and happy family life. Share this joy with us, we invite you to the celebration dedicated to our wedding.
No matter where in the world we find ourselves, no matter what chic places we visit, all the brightest moments in life for us are created by people - close, loved and necessary. In the new story, the story of our young family, we want to see you among the guests. We invite you to share all the importance and joy of our marriage with us.
Select a block of information
- On-site registration and the subsequent cozy evening will take place in the restaurant (name). The gathering of guests will take place at (time) at the address: (address of the wedding celebration)
- The ceremonial registration will take place on (date) exactly (time) at (place of registration). At: (address). The wedding dinner will begin at (time) at the restaurant (name) at (wedding address).
- We will become spouses on (date) at (time) and on this occasion we invite you to come to (place of registration) at (address).
Option for wording the dress code
- We will be very glad if you support the color palette of our celebration. If you suddenly don’t succeed, don’t worry, we understand perfectly well how difficult it can sometimes be to choose an outfit that matches the color and style.
- To ensure positive wedding memories and unique photographs, we ask you to support the color palette of our wedding.
- We will be happy to see gentlemen in suits and ladies in outfits that will support the color palette of our wedding.
The text of the wedding invitation should be written in such a way that you want to come to the celebration. A properly designed invitation card gives a feeling of celebration.
What should be included in the invitation?
Guest name
How to address a guest in an invitation: by first name or patronymic or more informally, whether to use the words “dear, respected” - in modern wedding etiquette there is no universal answer to this question. For magnificent and classic celebrations, formal addresses are recommended, and for a chamber celebration - more informal ones, those that you usually use in life: calling girlfriends and friends by name, parents - mom and dad.
date and time
It is not at all necessary to describe the full timing of the day in the invitation, but it would be a good idea to indicate its main stages. For example, “gathering of guests – 16:00, ceremony – 16:30, banquet – 17:00.” Whether or not to prepare separate invitations for the bridesmaids, who will participate in the bride’s preparations and, accordingly, must arrive earlier, is up to you. But, as a rule, these issues are discussed in person.
Wedding Venue
City, name of the restaurant/hotel, its address. Keep everything clear and concise—there shouldn’t be a lot of text on the invitation. If necessary, a driving map and detailed route can be placed on the wedding website or in an accompanying card.
What you might encounter
A formal suit (tailcoat, business card and tuxedo), sanctified by time and tradition, is intended for especially special occasions. For example, a tailcoat is worn at an official reception at an embassy, a court ball in a European monarchy, an Oscar or Nika award ceremony, etc. A tuxedo is much more widespread. It may be needed for any official reception, ball, presentation. In Russia, unlike Europe and America, the likelihood of getting to an event for which these items of clothing may be needed is not high. If you receive an invitation on a business trip abroad with, for example, a dress code such as White Tie, contact the hotel staff. You will be provided with your own formal wear rental services or referred to a special company.
In Russia, most often you may come across dress codes in invitations to various official evening events. At the same time, the most common dress codes are Black Tie, A5, Formal; White Tie is much less common. The remaining conventional signs are by and large used only in the West. We have a very popular non-standard dress code, that is, not accepted in international practice, but invented by the organizers of the event, for example Total Black (in black from head to toe) or Orange Party (you are expected to wear something orange). Business people can bring an invitation to an afternoon or morning event marked Bb or Btr.
In addition to dress code instructions, you can find other important symbols on invitation cards. Among them may be the following:
- St (sine tempore - lat.) - exactly, on time, without delay;
- Ct (cum tempore - lat.) - with a delay of no more than a quarter of an hour (academic delay);
- RSV P (Reponse S'il Vous Plait - French) - please respond.
Ignoring the latter is the biggest violation of social etiquette. If you are invited to a presentation, ball or reception, regardless of whether you intend to attend or not, first of all, call or write a response. Your response must be delivered no later than the eve of the celebration.
If the invitation does not indicate “For two persons” and the desired presence of a spouse is not specifically stated, it is better to come unaccompanied. Business events also do not require the presence of a spouse unless he or she is a member or participant in the business. As a rule, a companion must be brought to entertaining social events - balls, charity evenings, concerts, dinners.
Business etiquette is more stable because it has no class restrictions, but serves only as a “working uniform” that is convenient for everyone. However, significant changes are taking place here too - over the past decades, society has been consistently destroying the rules and taboos associated with business clothing. The “Friday standard” has appeared, the World Wide Web has spread its networks widely, allowing you to work without leaving home, and you can increasingly see people dressed casually in the office. Russia, having not had time to approve strict rules of business etiquette, will gradually join the global trend towards the democratization of clothing.
What can be included in the invitation?
Wedding site
Its creation is relevant if most guests actively use the Internet or if many invitees live in other cities/countries. Collect in it all the information about the upcoming holiday: dress code, wish list, travel route, etc. If you have a website, you can refuse the accompanying card.
The “+1” mark allows the invited person to decide for himself whether it is worth taking someone with him. After all, a couple doesn’t always have such a close relationship to go to such events together - perhaps your girlfriend is not yet ready to introduce her new boyfriend to all her friends.
Or, conversely, it will be very important for her to appear at the wedding with the couple, and if she does not receive an invitation, she will be offended. But this is only appropriate if you yourself are not personally acquainted with her companion. Otherwise, instead of the soulless “+1”, enter the guest’s name. It’s up to you to prepare one invitation for two or two separate ones, but if the couple has only recently been together, it’s better to go with the second option.
What to write on the cover card?
Dress code
You can limit yourself to the formal name of the dress code, for example, black tie or cocktail, or indicate the desired color palette of outfits. Present this clearly - in the form of infographics or examples of acceptable colors arranged in a row to avoid misunderstandings.
Wedding hashtag
Invite guests to publish all photos from the wedding on social networks under one hashtag - this way you will create a virtual collective photo report of this magical day! And our online generator will help you come up with it.
What should not be written in the invitation?
Wedding without children
You have every right to have an adults-only party. Especially if you are planning a non-classical wedding - for example, in the format of a youth party in a loft/bar or a night ceremony. But it is not at all necessary to write about this in the invitation. To avoid unnecessary questions, clearly indicate the names of those invited on the card.
Your phone number
Including your phone number in the invitation is like saying: “Call for any questions and at any time of the day or night.” Are you sure you need this? On your wedding day, do you want to be constantly interrupted by calls because one guest overslept and another can't figure out the GPS? It’s better to let the coordinator answer all the guests’ questions on this day - write down his number in the accompanying card or on the wedding website. On your wedding day, give your phone to your mom or girlfriend.
Source of the article: https://weddywood.ru/chto-pisat-v-svadebnyh-priglasitelnyh/
Be honest
If the dress code is very important to you and plays a huge role in the concept of the wedding, tell your guests about it. A few sincere words can be written in the invitation or explained in person. And keep in mind that despite all your efforts, some of the guests may still come dressed completely outside the dress code - this is normal, and you should be prepared for this.
@megankellyweddings
