A Wedding Dress Code Wording Guide That *Won’t* Leave Your Guests Confused

Wedding dress codes are only as complicated as you make them. Avoid putting your guests in a fashion tizzy by crafting wedding dress code wording that's brief and straightforward. We explain exactly how to word wedding invite attire rules and make descriptions on your wedding website to help your guests feel confident in their attire choices—and hopefully prevent anyone from showing up in something inappropriate. Here's how to word the wedding dress code for every type of event so all your guests arrive in style.

Wedding dress code wording facts you need to know: Different Dress Code Wording | Wording on Invitations | Wording on Wedding Websites | Wording on FAQ Pages

How to Word Different Dress Codes on a Wedding Website

Not a wordsmith? Don't stress about the wedding attire code wording for your website, which you can start on The Knot. Use these wedding dress code wording examples that you can quickly copy and paste or adjust as needed.

Design: Falak Khoja

White-Tie Attire

"White-tie attire: We ask men to wear tailcoats and women to wear floor-length evening or ball gowns. Top hats and gloves are encouraged."

"White-tie attire: We ask that you don tailcoats or floor-length evening or ball gowns. Top hats and gloves are encouraged."

Black-Tie Attire

"Black-tie attire: We ask men to wear a tuxedo and women to wear a floor-length gown."

"Black-tie attire: Kindly wear a tuxedo or floor-length gown."

Black-Tie-Optional Attire

"Black-tie-optional attire: We ask men to wear a tuxedo or a dark suit and tie and women to wear an evening gown or a midi- or knee-length cocktail dress."

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"Black-tie-optional attire: We ask that you wear a tuxedo or dark suit and tie. Alternatively, an evening gown or a midi- or knee-length cocktail dress would be appropriate."

Formal Attire

"Formal attire: We suggest men wear a suit in any color and women wear a cocktail dress or a nice pantsuit."

"Formal attire: We suggest guests wear a suit in any color or a cocktail dress (or even a nice pantsuit)."

Cocktail Attire

"Cocktail attire: We suggest men wear a suit or dress shirt with a tie and women wear a midi- or knee-length dress or dressy separates."

"Cocktail attire: A suit or a dress shirt with a tie is suggested. A midi- or knee-length dress or dressy separates are also welcome."

Semi-Formal Attire

"Semi-formal attire: We ask that you wear semi-formal attire such as a cocktail-length dress or dressy separates for women and a suit and tie for men. Please note that the venue does not permit blue jeans or sneakers."

"Semi-formal attire: We ask that you wear semi-formal attire such as a cocktail-length dress, dressy separates or a suit and tie. Please note that the venue does not permit blue jeans or sneakers."

Dressy Casual Attire

"Dressy casual attire: We want you to be comfortable at our wedding. The dress code is dressy casual attire. For this time of year in California, may we suggest the following attire:

• Folks who'd like to wear a dress can wear sundresses, lightweight separates and flats or wedge heels for the outdoor ceremony on the lawn.
• Alternatively, guests can wear a light dress shirt with khakis or other lightweight slacks; jackets and ties are optional."

Beach Casual

"Beach casual attire: We suggest men wear a long or short-sleeved shirt with slacks or shorts and ladies wear a sundress or dressy separates, like a nice top and skirt. Instead of heels, wear a pair of strappy or platform sandals."

"Beach casual attire: We suggest long- or short-sleeved shirts paired with slacks or shorts. A sundress or dressy separates, like a nice top and skirt, would also be appropriate. Instead of heels, wear a pair of strappy or platform sandals."

Casual Attire

"Casual attire: We suggest button-down shirts with khaki pants for men and sundresses with dressy flats or comfortable heels for women."

"Casual attire: We suggest button-down shirts with khaki pants or sundresses. Dressy flats or comfortable heels are welcome."

Daytime Attire

"Daytime attire: Our wedding will be taking place outdoors in the grass. We suggest sundresses and sandals for women and button-down shirts and pants for men. Please, no athletic wear."

"Daytime attire: Our wedding will be taking place outdoors in the grass. We suggest sundresses and sandals or button-down shirts and pants. Please, no athletic wear."

Country and Western Attire

"Country and Western attire: We encourage relaxed clothing, but please no shorts or sneakers. We recommend flowy dresses, light fabrics, cowboy/girl boots and hats and denim."

How to Word Wedding Dress Codes on Invitations

In addition to writing your wedding attire descriptions on your website, you can also include them on your invitations or wedding invitation details card (both of which you can find on The Knot Paper. Creating a wedding invitation with dress code rules isn't a requirement, but it's helpful for guests and should be put in the lower corner or bottom center of the invitation.

Wedding Invitation Dress Code Wording Samples

Don't want to put a long line of clothing instructions on your invitation? Well, you have two options: Create a detailed cocktail attire description for your wedding website or simply add "Black tie" at the bottom of the invite or on the details card. But if you want to know how to write your dress code on the invitation in the most concise way, check out the examples below.

• White-Tie Attire: "We request the honor of your presence at our elegant white-tie affair on [wedding date]. Dress code: Please wear tailcoats or ball gowns."
• Black-Tie Attire: "You are cordially invited to the wedding of [couple's names] on [wedding date]. To match the festive and formal event, we politely ask that you dress in black-tie attire. Get ready for a magical and beautiful evening!"
• Black-Tie Optional Attire: "Please join us for a celebratory evening of love and laughter. Our wedding is black-tie optional, so please feel free to wear your best tuxedo, dark suit or evening gown."
• Formal Attire: "We cannot wait to be with you on our special day! The wedding dress code is formal attire, which means we suggest you wear a suit of any color, nice cocktail dress or pantsuit."
• Cocktail Attire: "Come dance the night away with us wearing cocktail attire. Think smart clothing, like a suit or dress shirt and tie or knee-length dress."
• Semi-Formal Attire: "Join us for a jovial night celebrating [couple's names] on [wedding date]. We ask that you wear dressy separates or a suit and tie for the affair."
• Dressy Casual Attire: "We are excited to invite you to our wedding on [wedding date]! Please arrive in dressy casual attire, which is anything that is stylish yet comfortable."
• Beach Casual: "Meet us by the ocean for a fun celebration wearing beach casual clothing. This means you can wear sundresses, sandals and short sleeve shirts."
• Casual Attire: "Prepare for a relaxed bash honoring [couple's names] on [wedding date]. We request you wear casual attire that is comfortable and neat."
• Daytime Attire: "Join us outdoors for a garden wedding on [wedding date]. Feel free to wear dresses and dressy casual suits."
• Country and Western Attire: "We are elated to be throwing a laid-back celebration! The wedding dress code is country and Western attire, which includes cowboy/girl boots and hats, casual suits and flowy dresses."

How to Put the Dress Code on Your Wedding Website Home Page & Event Pages

When you're designing your wedding website, we recommend adding the wedding attire options wording somewhere on the homepage along with the welcome message and other essential day-of details, such as the wedding date, venue and time. If your website includes multiple event pages (e.g. welcome reception, wedding day, post-wedding brunch), you can add a dress code for each event. To give guests a detailed explanation of the dress code(s), direct them to an FAQ page on your wedding website where you can write more about the attire in a few sentences.

How to Add the Dress Code on Your Wedding Website FAQ Page

Curious about how to answer the dress code on a wedding website? That's where the wedding website FAQ page comes into play. It's designed to handle all of the questions that guests would otherwise call or text you about. Do your future self a favor by providing clear wedding attire descriptions and special requests on the FAQ page from the very start. Read the following for a few examples.

"Is there a dress code?"

Here's how to word the dress code on a wedding website FAQ page. Answer the above question by stating your dress code in a direct sentence ("The dress code for our wedding is…"). Following that, you can include a brief explanation with attire suggestions and specifics—for example, that your venue requires a jacket and tie or if the ceremony will take place on the beach. If there is no specific dress code, you should clearly mention that to prevent any confusion for guests.

"Are there any styles or colors you'd prefer me to wear?"

Once you've determined how to describe your wedding attire, use this FAQ if you want to encourage or discourage certain attire for your dress code. Keep the wording specific but also realistic—avoid lengthy instructions or too many special requests that will burden guests. Share a brief recap of your vision for the wedding day, such as the theme or color palette, to help people understand what you're asking for. Let guests know that you'd like them to dress in a certain color or fabric (for example, sequined looks) but remember that it's frowned upon to make those requests an absolute requirement.

Chapelle Johnson contributed to the reporting of this article.