What Dress Code to put on invitations
 Here is a quick guide to the main dress codes and what they mean.

Will depend entirely on the style of event being planned, such as formal elegance, simple but stylish or casual and relaxed.
Also where the event is being held whether it be a grand ball room or a country garden
Another factor will be the time of day and if it is indoors or outdoors.

White Tie

Is the ultimate formal dress code. It is calls for the most glamourous attire which is more formal than black tie.Think Oscars..
For Men: a full black tuxedo coat with tails, a white shirt, white vest and white bow tie and black trousers and black formal shoes
For Women: a full length ball-gown, gloves, stole, a clutch or evening bag with  glamorous hair and make-up.

Black Tie

Is appropriate for a formal event and would usually indicate an evening affair from 4:30pm and onwards
For men, a black tuxedo or dinner suit worn with a white shirt and black bow tie, black trousers and black shoes and socks.
For women, a glamorous stylish evening gown or cocktail dress (long or short) is appropriate.

FORMAL

This suggests that the event is a formal affair, but perhaps not as strict on dress code as Black Tie.
For the men, a dark formal suit, white shirt and tie.
For the women,a stylish evening or cocktail gown.

Semi-Formal
A semi-formal dress code calls for well…semi-formal attire as the name suggests. It is somewhere between casual and formal. This dress code would allow men to wear a dark suit, and ladies a cocktail dress (tuxedos and long dresses are not necessary).  Sometimes this dress code can be a little ambiguous when written on an invitation, and can be interpreted differently from person to person.

Lounge Suit
The lounge suit dress code indicates an event which is not as formal as some of the other dress codes, yet it is still expected that guests dress stylishly. Men can get away with a coloured  business suit and shirt while women can don a cocktail style dress or fitted dress.

This is one of the most popular dress codes we have our couples using on their invitations. It suggests the wedding is a stylish event, although less formal than the above options. It is suitable for weddings held at any time of the day or evening. For men, a dark business suit, shirt and matching tie is appropriate. For the women, a dress, smart suit or cocktail dress is suitable.

Cocktail
A cocktail dress code has typically been interpreted as being a dark suit for men and an elegant dress for ladies-brighter colours would also be suitable here. Currently, shorter knee-length cocktail dresses are quite the trend.

This is usually used for an evening wedding. For the mena dark suit and tie is appropriate. For womena short elegant cocktail dress.

Smart Casual
A Smart casual dress code does not necessarily mean jeans and a t-shirt. For the women, smart casual calls for a pretty dress (cocktail or other), tailored pants or a skirt with a stylish top. For the men- a suit and shirt- which can be both dark or light. A tie is optional at this style of wedding.

Don’t be fooled by the word ‘casual’ in the heading. Jeans are not appropriate at this wedding! For men, a suit and shirt, dark or light depending on the time of day, alternatively a pair of tailored pants and jacket is also suitable. A tie is optional for this occasion. For the women, a pretty dress, cocktail or other, a dressy skirt and top, or smart tailored pants and stylish top.

Casual
A casual dress code really says that anything goes. Feel free to frock up in a dress (for ladies) or casual shirt and pants for the men.  But do be aware that even though the dress code states “Casual”, don’t forget that you are attending someone’s wedding,  so do dress casual but appropriately.

For a more relaxed affair, men and women would dress as if going to a nice restaurant. For mena nice pair of pants and shirt. For womena skirt, dress or pants are also appropriate. No jeans here either.