When planning your wedding, there will undoubtedly be a focus on what the bridal party will wear. The wedding gown, men’s suits and ties, shoes and bridesmaids’ dresses will all be on your mind. Despite this, something you may not have considered is your preferred guest attire.
In the lead up to the event, your family and friends will be wondering what to wear. Here are some top tips on how to choose a dress code and the best way to discuss the topic with your guests:
Be Mindful of the Time of Day
What time is your ceremony scheduled? Is it in the morning, afternoon, or evening? A wedding held during the day will generally be less formal than one at night. If you want your guests to wear tuxedos and ballgowns, plan your wedding to start in the late afternoon or evening.
A daytime event will more likely see women wearing a pretty day dress and the men in a shirt and tie. Guests won’t typically assume the dress code, so it is important to be specific.
Know Your Theme
Knowing your theme will help make the dress code decision an easier one. A casual summer beach wedding could mean your guests go barefoot without a tie in sight. For a formal ceremony in a church, suits and cocktail dresses would be acceptable.
If you want to have some fun with your theme, a dress-up wedding can work well. Just make sure you inform your guests well in advance. For example, it could be a 1920s theme with vintage dresses and hairstyles.
Create a Wedding Website
Give your friends and family a central location to learn more about your big day. Wedding websites are becoming increasingly popular, as they give couples the opportunity to share information and photos. There is generally only limited space on an invitation, and your website will let you go into greater detail.
If your invitation states “semi-formal” or “formal,” you can expand this on the website. As an example, you could share information on the location, followed by tips. You might recommend a jacket for an outdoor wedding or flat shoes to change into for the dancefloor. A short, friendly description explaining the dress code can be useful. This could be a “no denim, please”, or a “shirt and tie preferred”.
Have Open Communication
While you might feel anxious about telling your guests what to wear, they will appreciate the clarity. After all, no one wants to show up to a wedding underdressed or overdressed! And if you’re not clear in your communication, you will be asked by just about everyone!
While your wedding website is a great place to start, be prepared to have the “what to wear” discussion in person. Remember, most people will already understand it’s not appropriate to wear anything white or revealing to a wedding, so you shouldn’t have to state this. Unless it is a surprise, you could reveal the color scheme on your website and invitations. If your bridal party is dressed in blue, your guests will want to avoid this color!
The Wrap Up
The dress code is something you should think about, but it shouldn’t cause too much anxiety. Your guests will be happy to be provided with some direction. Some people like to be organized and shop early for the perfect outfit, so give them notice. To make their shopping easier, you can go into further detail with subtle suggestions included on your wedding website.
