a sit down dinner and everybody to dress nice. Most things I see say this is a formal wedding. However, I don't want to wear a big huge formal wedding dress. It is nice but not with a ball gown. I also don't want to wear a veil. Does it really matter to stick to the rules? I mean I find the rules a little shady. What do I tell people to wear? Can I have semi-formal to informal wear and still have it in a nice reception hall?
2007-01-28 09:55:51 · 9 answers · asked by fifimsp1 4 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
When you say "formal" on the invite, that means black-tie, ballroom gown to most people. I would put "semi-formal dress" on the invite, that way, people will come dressed in suits and cocktail dresses. You can wear whatever you want...you're the bride. I had a 7 pm sit-down dinner at a really nice country club that was semi-formal and it was totally fine. It's more about the atmosphere, than following the dressing rules. Good luck!
2007-01-28 12:09:36 · answer #1 · answered by emrobs 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to have a big huge formal wedding dress, as you put it, if your wedding is formal. You don't have to wear a veil if you don't want to, either. It's not a required element in a wedding. Just be happy on your day and wear what you want.
If the wedding is in the evening, the guests should dress in suits and dresses or a nice pants outfit. That is considered formal. If the wedding is in the late afternoon, the wedding is semi-formal and men can dress in nice slacks and a sport coat, where women can wear dresses or nice slacks. If your wedding is in the morning or at noon, that is informal, and the guests can wear more casual clothing, men don't need to wear any type of coat. Of course, I don't think anyone should wear jeans and t-shirts to a wedding, but it does happen. Your dress has nothing to do with the formality of the wedding, the time of the wedding is the indicator. Best wishes on your upcoming wedding, and a happy life thereafter.
2007-01-28 18:06:08 · answer #2 · answered by Proud to be 59 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is no such thing as semi-formal. There is formal and informal (even an informal wedding is "dressy"-- it's just not formal).
Formality is determined by the style of your gown, the style of invitation you choose, the time of day (sometimes), whether the groom and men wear tuxedos or just suits, and the size of the guest list.
You cannot tell people what to wear unless you are saying it is formal (which you state using the phrase Black Tie), or if they need to know something for safety reasons (for example Garden Party Attire is used to tell women not to wear heels, as they will be on a lawn). Other than the above, it is not polite to micromanage what your guests will wear or announce a dress code for them.
It sounds like you would prefer an informal wedding. In that case you can use a colorful invitation with ribbons or other decorations on it, and not mention ANYTHING on it about what people should wear. That means you intend it to be informal.
(Formal invitations are strictly white or cream, with black ink only and with little or no ornamentation.)
2007-01-28 19:23:51 · answer #3 · answered by Etiquette Gal 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Informal wear to some people may mean jeans and a nice shirt. If this is okay with you, than go for it, but if you want something a little more fancy, you should state it. Plus people hate being overdressed/underdressed so I always believe in giving a vague clue. I listed some websites that sort of have categories for various types of dress codes that are widely known. It may give you a clearer idea of what to request of your guests, or whether you need not request anything.
2007-01-29 04:25:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Informal Day
Bride
Short gown or suit, veil or hat optional
Bridesmaids
Short dresses or suits, similar in style to the bride's
Groom and Groomsmen
A suit with a white, color or striped shirt and four-in-hand tie.
Informal Evening
Bride
Short gown or suit, veil or hat optional
Bridesmaids
Short dresses or suits, similar in style to the
bride's
Groom and Groomsmen
Semi-formal Day
Bride
Floor-length or shorter gown, short veil
Bridesmaids
Tea-length or shorter dresses
Groom and Groomsmen
A formal suit with a white or striped shirt and four-in-hand tie.
Semi-formal Evening
Bride
Floor-length or shorter gown, short veil
Bridesmaids
Floor, Tea-length or shorter dresses
Groom and Groomsmen
A suit, striped shirt, four-in-hand tie.
A suit, striped shirt, four-in-hand tie.
Formal Day
Bride
Floor-length gown, long train and veil, gloves
Bridesmaids
Floor-length gowns, headpieces, gloves
Groom and Groomsmen
A cutaway suit with trousers, wing-collar shirt.
Formal Evening
Bride
Floor-length gown, long train and veil, gloves
Bridesmaids
Floor-length gowns, headpieces, gloves
Groom and Groomsmen
Full dress tailcoat, matching trousers, white waistcoat, whit cow tie, wing collar shirt
I look at it this way. If you want to wear cut-offs & still sit down to eat with your guests, you ought to have that right.
2007-01-28 19:25:27 · answer #5 · answered by weddrev 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's your wedding! If you want a ball gown with a sit down dinner & no veil then do it.
2007-01-28 18:09:50 · answer #6 · answered by Brat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry too much about the "supposed tos". Wear what you want. And people know what to wear to weddings - they usually just "dress up".
2007-01-28 20:59:39 · answer #7 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOu can do whatever it is that you want to do, it is your wedding and you are paying for it. Good luck!
2007-01-28 19:14:35 · answer #8 · answered by shor_tee81 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do whatever it is that you want to do.....rules are made to be broken and it is your special day.....congratulations and good luck
2007-01-28 18:00:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋