BellaOnline Forums Relationships Weddings Wedding Attire??

I would like to know what these mean.

Formal
Semi-Formal
Black Tie
Black Tie-Optional
Cocktail Attire
Casual Attire

Formal & black-tie usually mean the same thing; tux for men and floor length gowns for ladies. The weddings are also usually after 7 PM in the evening.

Semi-formal, black-tie optional, cocktail attire are usually along the same lone also (although the latter two usually designate later in the day and a little more formal than the first). Men can wear suits, ladies can wear dresses that go either to the floor or "tea-length" (really these days any length is appropriate as long as its not mini).

Casual attire for a wedding generally means what you would think of as "church clothes" - slacks and shirt for men (most usually wear a tie, but not necessary any more), a dress, skirt and blouse, or nice pants suit for women. If you know the people really well; and you know for sure that casual means "casual" (as in blue jeans) then go for it; but typically for a wedding it does not mean this.

We did cater 1 wedding once where casual literally meant blue jeans - but it was an outdoor wedding and for the reception the bride and groom had a crab boil - the old fashioned way - spilled out on newspaper, and they knew that people's clothes could get messed up.

Thank you very much:) That helps me a lot. Thanks again:)

A friend asked me to add this to your thread about wedding attire.....

Think OUTSIDE THE BOX about everything regarding your wedding, reception, wedding venue, food, music and even Dress Code.....

One of my clients that got married beside a pretty lake, asked in their invitations, that all who attended their wedding wear "Water-Colors" - blues, greens, aquas, even violet! The color photographs were GORGEOUS and EVERYONE who is in them looked as though they were IN the wedding party!

Another client asked -on a special card inserted in their invitations- that everyone attending wear white or cream or very pale pastels - they were getting married in a very interesting sculpture garden outside an art museum - the photos were all done in black and white and when they were delivered, were reminiscent of scenes from the Great Gatsby!

Another couple was getting wed on a beach - and asked their wedding guests to wear clothes that were 'barefoot-friendly' - because as they were having a very casual 'on the beach wedding' - just before the ceremony, everyone took off their shoes, chose large candle filled seashells from a basket, lit them and made two parallel lines in the sand - a "human aisle" for the wedding party to walk down! After the ceremony, the candles lit the way to the beachside wedding reception tent. It was a lovely addition to a very moving moment!

Memorable moments and devastatingly romantic memories are made when you get truly creative with ideas like these and don't bow to convention or typical/expected ideas for your wedding!

Here's to Your Happily Ever After!! <img src="/images/graemlins/rolling.gif" alt="" />