read time: 6 minutes
When curating the vision for your events, your guests’ attire can play a major role in the overall feel of your wedding. Here, we break down dress codes for wedding guests and how vision boards can fulfill the cohesive atmosphere you dream of.
(Plus, we love it when guests fit in with the wedding design. They’ll feel like they’re part of the wedding party!)
Before choosing your dress code, make sure you know the options. Below we’ve listed the most popular options, but these aren’t exhaustive. Take these and add your own spin based on your details and destination. (We love it when couples choose to mix it up!)
Dress code for wedding guests: The options
White tie
BLACK tie
formal/black tie optional
cocktail
semi-formal/ dressy casual
White Tie
This is the most formal of all the dress code possibilities. Feminine options here should include floor-length gowns or jumpsuits. Masculine dress requires a full black tuxedo, including tails, a white dress shirt, a vest, and a bow tie. Think: royal events and state dinners.
Black Tie
While still formal, black tie doesn’t require tails for those who opt for a tuxedo. However, still
count on a black bow tie, vest or cummerbund, and a patent leather shoe choice. Floor-length
gowns and even sophisticated cocktail dresses are welcome for these well-dressed affairs.
Formal & black tie optional
Here, we take a small step down from black tie where tuxedos are no longer required, but floor-length gowns and nice cocktail dresses are still the standard.
Cocktail
Dress hems are raised from the floor for cocktail attire. Tea-length, midi, or even knee-length dresses are preferred for this style. Alternatively, full tuxedos are swapped for a suit and tie.
Semi-formal or dressy casual
This option comes with more comfort and flexibility for your guests. Ties become optional, and feminine options expand with dressy skirts, slip dresses, and pantsuits.
Festive or Concept Theme
Bold colors, fun patterns, playful silhouettes make up the inspiration for a Festive attire request! We also love Concept or Themed attire - which often falls right in line with these playful styles!
When you envision your wedding, think about the atmosphere you want to create and how your guests can contribute to it with their attire. Your venue, destination, and the time of day can also help determine the dress code for your guests.
For example, garden weddings in the afternoon might call for floral patterns and a lighter color palette. While a museum wedding in the evening implies a more sophisticated tone for guests to match.
Choosing your dress code for wedding guests
The next step from here will be coordinating your wedding party’s wardrobe. The dress code you choose for your wedding will likely inform the direction you set for your wedding party, but we encourage you to have fun with this! Don’t be afraid to break tradition a bit — play with colors, patterns, styles, and mis-matched attire (yes, even for the men in your wedding party!). You can even incorporate these individual touches down to the florals they hold.
Read more about mixing it up with your biggest supporters on our blog post about non-traditional wedding parties.
Considering your wedding party
Dress code wording for a wedding & why you should have a vision board
Try as we might, sometimes the dress code given on the invitation and implied by the venue still leaves your guests with questions. Yet, as the wedding couple, you’re likely far too busy to field dozens of “what should I wear?” texts (let’s face it, it gets overwhelming!). That’s why we love the latest trend: wedding guest attire vision boards.
For your wedding website and invitations, it’s best to include the dress code for your wedding in a clear and easy-to-find place. Use the phrasing listed in the above dress code options, and clarify any color or theme directions. The FAQs section on your wedding website is a great place to add any additional information about the dress code. Include a QR code for the vision board in your invitation suite and link it to your website for easy access.
How to word the dress code on wedding website & invitations
Include a QR code for the vision board in your invitation suite and link it to your website for easy access.
Not only will it save you from answering endless questions, but a vision board will provide gentle guidance for every guest to contribute to a cohesive atmosphere for your wedding.
When creating the vision board for your guest attire, picture a color scheme that will complement your details, the season, and the venue. We recommend incorporating an array of silhouettes, styles, and textures to accommodate your guests’ individual styles while remaining mindful of your vision.
Creating a vision board for your wedding guest attire
Spring wedding dress code
With blooming greenery and florals, spring weddings are perfect for garden-inspired hues and flowing silhouettes. Encourage a light and airy atmosphere with a vision board that hones in on that vision, like the one here!
Summer wedding dress code
The summer is known as the wedding season for good reason. Outdoor ceremonies and alfresco receptions are the norm. Lighter fabrics paired with brighter colors is an in-season direction for summer weddings. See some inspiration below.
Fall wedding dress code
Cooler weather calls for richer tones to match the changing season. You can channel a cozy, yet chic feeling with a carefully curated color palette. Find elevated examples in this sample wedding guest board.
Winter wedding dress code
Embrace the glamor that comes with the season. Jewel tones, metallics, velvets, and festive layers could lay the groundwork of your wedding dress code vision board, like the one below.
Beyond the dress code for wedding guests, all of our couples get access to a collection of exclusive guides and advice. Find more inspiration and wedding tips with our blogs, then follow along on Instagram to see it in action.
