Weddings are special occasions and you’re always happy to attend one, especially when the bride or groom is close to your heart. It’s always nice to be a part of another couple’s celebration of love and devotion. However, there are times when the wedding invite leaves you baffled about what to wear. You’re concerned about over-dressing or under-dressing and certainly, you don’t want to commit either boo-boo. You want to hit the middle spot—which is exactly what attire etiquette dictates. Don’t worry. Everything you need to know about attire etiquette for a formal wedding is discussed in detail below.
White Tie
Ah, the most formal of all the wedding dress codes. An invitation that tells you this is required means that you’re restricted as to what to wear. Men are expected to appear dashing in a tuxedo, long black jacket, white pique vest and a bow tie. Finish off the look with a pair of black formal shoes without laces (otherwise known as black opera pumps). For the lovely ladies, a formal floor-length evening gown is the right way to go. Ideally, it should be in a neutral shade such as dark brown or black. They should appear in glamorous makeup, gorgeous hair do, and stunning jewelry.
Black Tie
The next most formal wedding dress code is the black tie. The standard attire for men for this event is a black tuxedo or evening jacket with matching trousers. Black tie, black vest or cummerbund, and suspenders also fit the bill. In some occasions, conservative black suit in lieu of the tuxedo is fine. Women, on the other hand, are offered with two choices: a formal full-length gown or an elegant cocktail dress.
Black Tie Optional
The word “optional” suggests that this event is a little less formal than black tie. Men can wear a tuxedo and follow the black tie attire norms but they can also go for something less formal like a dark suit, white shirt and conservative tie. Ladies can wear a long dress, cocktail dress, dressy separates or even a dressy suit. They have a lot more options on what to wear than the two previous attire requirements.
Creative Black Tie
The creative black tie is not that common but they’re slowly getting more and more popular these days, as it has become a great way to personalize your wedding. For this type of event, men are free to pair their tuxedo with a colorful tie, shirt or cummerbund. It’s anything goes for the women—full length gown, cocktail dresses, or dressy suits finished off with colorful accessories such as shawl, boas, jewelry. It’s called creative black tie because it allows you to be creative with your attire.
Semiformal
Semiformal is like formal but not really. So how do you know what you’re going to wear for this type of event? Dark suit, white shirt and conservative tie are the right choices for gentlemen while the women can appear beautiful in either cocktail dresses or dressy skirts and tops.
Casual
Casual attire is usually asked for in weddings that are held outdoors or at the beach. It’s much more laidback. Men can come in button-down shirt with tie and khaki pants. They can also wear a sport jacket or sweater. Sundress made in light fabric is the perfect choice for women.