I'm getting married this summer and my family all understand that the wedding is Semi Formal and will all show up dressed nicely. Thing is my fiance's family is more laid back country and I'm afraid they'll come dressed in flannal, jeans and boots. I'm not over exaggerating either, I went to his cousins wedding not to long ago and people showed up looking like they just got out of working on the farm.
Is there a way to add a note or something to tell them that kind of attire is not allowed w/o sounding like a bridezilla? If so how do i word it?
2007-03-21 13:27:33 · 20 answers · asked by Dawnwalker 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
On your invitation, where is states the reception plans, put "semi-formal reception immediately following the ceremony", or whatever the plan is. Just put "semi-formal reception" on there somewhere. Not everyone will pick up on it, but soon the gossip train will start and they will be asking each other what that means.
I totally understand what you are feeling. I was lucky in that my husband's family and my family knew how to dress properly for weddings. I wouldn't have wanted someone wearing jeans to my reception. I even have a hard time wearing casual clothes to a picnic reception. When you are raised knowing how to dress for weddings, it is hard to open your mind up to the realization that not everyone does the same thing.
2007-03-21 14:36:52 · answer #1 · answered by JLB 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had similar concerns while planning our wedding. We're definitely not going as far as not letting anyone attend if they aren't dressed "to code" but we're trying to help them make the right decision. When we created our wedding website, we specified that dress would be semi-formal and started passing out the site address to get the information out to everyone early. We also made sure to tell our parents so that the information could be trickled down to guests. We're also going to put a "guest information" insert in the invitation with a few gentle reminders for everyone. All in all, they are still family. I think the style of our wedding and the location as well as the fact that it's a full seated dinner with cocktails has gone a long way in demonstrating the style of dress we are expecting. At the end of the day, I can't force them to wear anything. And I don't really care what they are wearing because this is our wedding, not theirs and we are going to look amazing!
2016-03-28 22:53:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can add it in the lower left corner of the invitation.
Dress: Semi-formal
edit: It is proper ettiquette to have the dress on the invite...most people don't but it's still fine.( it is on military invites all the time, and let me tell you the military is one of the last bastions of dressing for the occasion.)
How bout having the dress rehersal very casual - as in jeans boots, hats, etc, picnic type thing and then the wedding semi-formal/formal? I saw this in a book and it looked like a lot of fun and was very nicely done.
However if you let them know and people still show up dressed wrong that's their prob for not thinking and you just go on and enjoy your day.
2007-03-21 15:15:43 · answer #3 · answered by ArmyWifey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really. Unless it's definitely "Formal" or "Black Tie Only" weddings are usually considered a "semi formal affair." Besides, as some one said, if you say "semi formal" they may take that to mean clean jeans, without holes.
Just keep your head up and remember the way they're dressed is not a reflection upon you, only on themselves. THEY will have tongues wagging, not you. (Well, you will too, but in a different way!)
If the hall/church/vendor does not allow jeans/flannel/etc I would still proceed with cation. Maybe tell him and his parents/siblings to spread the word...
2007-03-21 16:05:42 · answer #4 · answered by Just tryin' to help 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the first answer about the fancy invitation.
But some people just won't care. And maybe for some, the jeans & flannel shirt was their good clothes.
I've performed weddings where I've seen guests dressed better at picnics. And one wedding, the MoH's husband wore jeans & dirty tennis shoes, & her dressed formally.
You cannot control other people, only your reaction to them. You will have to accept this part of your fiance's family as well.
2007-03-21 13:53:43 · answer #5 · answered by weddrev 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The invitation is the first thing people see
So state that your wedding is semi formal in fine print at the bottom of the invitation by printing "semi formal wedding" at the botton in fine print (like I said before lol)
I have seen many invitation that said "black tie affair" so people know how they should dress
Good Luck and Congrats
2007-03-21 13:51:32 · answer #6 · answered by *Sweetie* 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remembering that wedding invitations set the tone of your event will help you decide what kind of style to choose for your own. If you are planning a formal event, you will want to stay clear from invitations that appear too casual. Guests usually take the dress code cue from the formality of the invitation.
Good luck!
2007-03-21 13:36:41 · answer #7 · answered by hcwwur 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
On the invitation, at the lower left where the reception information is, put: Semi-Formal dress required
2007-03-21 15:07:40 · answer #8 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm putting on the very bottom of the directions "semi-formal event" when I mail them out. It gives the hint without sounding rude and gives the guests an idea of what the reception will be like.....I feel your pain, good luck.
2007-03-21 14:50:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should just put a note at the bottom of the invite ... "semi-formal attire requested" ... it isn't demanding, but gets the point across.
2007-03-21 14:43:02 · answer #10 · answered by VAWeddingSpecialist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋