Although they are intended to help to give wedding guests an idea of what to wear and how to dress, some Wedding Dress Codes can be more confusing than helpful. Many couples question whether or not they are still relevant.
Tanya Bywater is seeking the guidance of ABIA’s Wedding Planners to clarify the mysteries surrounding Wedding Dress Code etiquette.
Do You Need a Wedding Dress Code
Experts agree that even today, where individuality is primarily celebrated and celebrated, the Wedding Dress Code still holds its place.
Although it seems antiquated to tell someone what to wear at a wedding, the reality is that they are handy for creating a look and feeling. Guests appreciate the help provided by a Dress Code.
Kerstyn Walsh, Hire a Bridesmaid says that letting your guests know what they’d like to wear will help you keep your wedding theme consistent and helps them choose the right outfit.
How can you communicate and choose a wedding dress code?
Kerstyn suggests that you start by looking at the venue to determine the appropriate attire. For example, formal wear may look wrong on a beach. Then, look at what you and your wedding party are wearing.
After you have considered the location, your bridal party attire, and the overall atmosphere you wish to create, you can now choose the right dress style. You should also clearly describe the details to your guests on your invitations or website.
Trudy Croad, Lovebird Weddings, says, “It’s important to be specific.” Many people don’t know what relaxed elegance” and ” formal elegance” mean.
Terms such as ‘Lounge Suit” and ‘Black-Tie Optional’ can be confusing and leave guests wondering. It’s a good idea to stick to well-known dress codes (like the ones below) or to make a specific request.
Trudy recommends making your preferences unambiguous. She suggests using words such as ‘Summer Dresses and Wedges or ‘Shirts, No Tie’.
Nadia Duran is an international event planner. She also suggests creating a moodboard to be uploaded to the website. It includes images that will help guests visualize and understand what they might wear.
Put, ask for the exact style of attire that you desire. This will help you achieve your vision and make choosing their outfits easier for your guests.
Well-Known Dress Codes
Here’s a list of the most widely recognized Dress Codes. We also have some tips to help you decipher the less formal.
White-Tie
Although it’s not a very popular choice for weddings in Australia, this is the most formal of formal wear. The ‘White Tie” dress is a tuxedo for men with tails, which includes a white shirt, vest, bow tie, pocket square handkerchief, and classic black shoes. Accessorize with top hats and gloves within this category, but they are not essential.
Think Cinderella for ladies with a floor-length gown, heels, a matching purse, and sparkling jewellery. If you feel so inclined, this is the perfect time to grab your tiara or glamorous evening gloves.
Black-Tie
The Black-Tie Dress Code, although less extravagant, is equally elegant and well-defined. This code is popular for couples who want a glamorous celebration.
It calls for a tuxedo with a black bow tie and cummerbund, and black patent shoes for male guests. A formal floor-length, ankle-covering, knee-length gown with heels is required for ladies.
Removing the vest, changing the bow tie to a classic black tie, or going with a shorter gown, so long as your look is sophisticated and classy. This is particularly true if the Dress Code says ‘Black-Tie Optional’. This indicates a slightly less formal style and allows men to wear a dark suit with a tie instead of a tux.
Cocktail
According to all the Wedding Planners that we spoke with, “Cocktail” is one of the most requested Dress Codes. It means dresses below the knee for ladies and suits for men. Kerstyn Walsh suggests that guests almost have full control over the rest. Kerstyn then explains the differences between a ‘Cocktail” and a ‘Semiformal’ dress. She explains that Semiformal is what American brides wear in American wedding movies. It’s elegant and dressy.
