You open your mailbox and find a beautiful invitation that someone close to you is finally getting married. A fancy font at the bottom of the invitation states “dress casual”. You immediately start thinking, “what is wedding casual and what is too formal?” We have all been in this situation before. Andre’s Banquet and Catering is here to help you out, whether you are a wedding guest, or the bride trying to figure out what to put on the wedding invitations.
For guests wondering what to wear, the first part of this blog is for you! Brides, we will discuss how to choose which wedding attire you should choose for your guests whether casual vs formal wedding. {The dress code expert has now entered the chat}
Casual vs Formal Wedding
Casual Wedding Guest Attire
Honestly, casual has become more popular over the years, as some brides and grooms want their guests to be very comfortable on their special day. While this does not mean wearing baggy sweatpants and a sweatshirt, it gives guests the option of not having to dress up too formally. We think of casual for a wedding, as business casual, something you might wear to work.
Casual Wedding Attire for Men
Casual wedding attire for men means wearing a button-down shirt and khakis or dress pants. Although some weddings are casual enough to wear a nice pair of dark hole-free jeans, it is best to stick with the dress pants.
Casual Wedding Attire for Women
A casual dress or a skirt with flats is the way to go here! Think about what you would wear for a job interview, and go with that. This puts you in a safe place so you do not run into a situation where you feel underdressed.
Semi-Formal / Cocktail Attire
Semi-formal is the most common type of dress code for weddings. This is the bride and groom giving you the nudge to look nice, while still being able to have fun and be comfortable showing off your best dance moves. Don’t worry, a semi-formal dress code still allows you to be able to get low on the dance floor.
Semi-Formal Wedding Attire for Men
A suit and tie are best {suit}able for this dress code. Sliding into a pair of nice comfortable dress shoes, and spritzing on some cologne brings the whole outfit together. The better you look, the better you feel!
Semi-Formal Wedding Attire for Women
A cocktail dress is perfect for a semi-formal wedding dress code. Semi-formal for women includes a mid-length/short dress or a formal style blouse paired with a cute flowy skirt. Regarding hair and makeup, you can be as casual or go as all out as you would like.
Formal & Black Tie Optional
A black-tie wedding is about the most elegant you can get in regards to a wedding dress code. This means dressing to impress, and might even mean going shopping for a new outfit. You will be feeling good and looking good when you are getting ready for this kind of wedding. Formal attire gives the wedding and wedding guests an elevated ambiance and makes the wedding feel as if it is truly a high-end special event.
Formal Wedding Attire for Men
A black or dark navy suit or tuxedo is best for a formal wedding. Add in a pair of nice dress shoes to match, and you are all set!
Formal Wedding Attire for Women
A long dark-colored dress paired with a pair of heels or dressy flats is the best way to go in regards to formal wedding attire for women. This is the perfect time to play dress up and go out and buy yourself a new long-length dress. A lot of women put their hair in updos and pair it with classy makeup for this sort of event.
Calling all Brides
Now that you know all of the different types of dress codes, when planning a wedding, it can be complicated having to choose what your guests should be wearing. However, it might not actually be as complicated as one might think. The first and best way to figure out what to make your dress code should start with your choice of venue. You do not want your guests wearing suits and long dresses if you are getting married in one of those huge fabulous barns with huge open doors. If you are getting married in a fancy barn you would want your guests to either be casual or semi-formal.
If you are leaning toward having your wedding at the Ritz Carlton, I would start thinking about telling your guests to dress formal or even black-tie formal. We suggest including the dress code in your invitation to leave out any questions the guests could potentially hound you with.
Let Andre’s Help
Our event coordinators are here for you every step along the way. We like to say that no question is a dumb question. We understand wedding planning can be stressful! At Andre’s, we can help you design your wedding guest invitations, and can help give you suggestions on what the dress code should be.
Additional Information: How to Decide on a Dress Code for Your Wedding
Andre’s Banquet & Catering | St. Louis, MO
At Andre’s, we are a full-service catering company. We provide the meal, 4-hour open bar, china dinnerware, linen tablecloths, chair covers, the personnel, as well as an onsite coordinator. We are a one-stop-shop facility that can offer guidance in planning and organizing your day. Andre’s coordinates with several different vendors to make your planning process painless! Andre’s we take the tangle out of tying the knot!!! Contact us today for any questions or reservations.