Suggested dress code for guests

You have surely been invited to a wedding at some point and spent days rummaging through your closet, visiting shops, or calling other guests to ask what they were planning to wear. Specifying a dress code can make this entire process easier for guests. It saves you from hearing complaints like “Nobody told me I’d be walking on grass in high heels!” and ensures guests feel more comfortable in their own skin. A major advantage of setting a dress code is, of course, the resulting beautiful photos, as well as the overall aesthetic appeal and the cohesive, unified style of the wedding.

How do you specify a dress code?

On the other hand, some guests might mind you “dictating” what they should wear. You need to keep in mind that your big day represents a significant expense for some guests—they have to take time off work and pay for a gift, accommodation, and travel, and they may not have the financial means to buy new clothes.

That is why we recommend that you do not set a strict dress code that everyone and under all conditions must adhere to, but communicate it subtly, as a suggestion. It doesn’t have to be a rule that all guests will follow, but whoever wants to and who is able to. You don’t even have to set a dress code for all the guests – you can set a dress code just for the little ones wearing rings or the bridesmaids.

You can include the dress code on the invitation or on your wedding website.

Do you feel uncomfortable asking about the dress code?

If, however, you feel uncomfortable asking guests to dress in a specific way, you can convey the wedding style more subtly. If it is an ultra-luxurious wedding, emphasize that; if it is a casual outdoor wedding, highlight that fact. Clearly inform them about the wedding style and the venue. This will give guests a good idea of ​​what they should wear.

You can highlight your wedding colors or share a mood board showcasing your wedding style on your invitation or wedding website.

Our advice

Our advice is to do exactly what you want! There will always be people who complain—if not about the dress code, then about something else. Some guests will appreciate you letting them know the appropriate attire, while others might grumble about the requirement—so simply do it your way!