How to word an unconventional dress code on an invitation
People feel unsure how to write out creative or non-traditional attire guidelines because they have never seen examples before. This lack of clear phrasing stops them from confidently communicating what guests should wear.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Using playful phrases like 'Dive bar glam' and listing specific clothing items or styles.
- 2looking at other weddings for inspiration on phrasing like garden formal
- 3asking online communities for feedback and input
- 4Addressing only the names of the adults on the envelope
- 5Sending vague RSVP check-ins
- 6Accommodating children after all to avoid confrontation
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“How can I tell them that the invite is just intended for her and her husband without hurting any feelings?”source ↗
“My worry is that I've been too vague about it being just adults so as not to be considered 'rude', and that maybe people haven't been picking up on it?”source ↗
“Just unsure of how to word it because I've never seen it written out anywhere, it's usually a known/unspoken thing for town festivals, etc.”source ↗
“Is a formal dress code appropriate for our wedding?”source ↗
“Is this a good description of the dress code?”source ↗
“I've never gotten married before and I don't really know what I'm doing so please be nice :)”source ↗
“I've grown up to be nail-bitingly terrified of saying the wrong thing, and more often than not it seems that results in me saying nothing at all.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 2How formal do rehearsal dinner invitations need to be?
- 2Groomsmen refusing to buy wedding shoes
- 3Inviting people to pre-wedding events who aren't invited to the wedding
- 2How to coordinate a DIY wedding save the date suite
- 8Bridesmaids ignoring texts and not getting their dresses
- 2How to ask parents to handle wedding guest outreach