As a wedding guest, one of the most difficult parts of a wedding can be figuring out what to wear. After all, you want to look your best while not standing out or causing any unwanted attention. Thankfully, it’s traditional for couples to dictate a dress code for their wedding day that will let you know their expectations for your attire. As a live wedding illustrator, I’ve seen many different dress codes, from Black-Tie to Casual, and they’re all fantastic as long as everyone knows how to dress. If you’re attending an upcoming wedding but are unsure what the dress code entails, read on for the full breakdown.

Wedding Dress Codes

Black-Tie

A Black-Tie wedding is a formal evening event. Women should wear floor-length gowns made of high-quality materials and a pair of nice heels. Men should wear a tuxedo with a simple black tie or bowtie. Coattails and a cumberbund are not expected but are a great way to elevate the look, especially for wedding party members.

Black-Tie Optional

The Black-Tie Optional dress code is great for elevated celebrations where you don’t necessarily want your guests to have to go out and rent or buy a tuxedo. This allows some flexibility for your guests to choose between the formal or black-tie dress codes. Women should still wear long dresses, but men can opt for a dark-colored suit instead of a tux.

Formal

The most common dress code we see at weddings is Formal. This is a step below Black Tie and a great option that allows your guests to wear what they already own. Women can wear a long or midi-length dress, or fancy jumpsuit with heels, while men can wear a nice suit. With this dress code, we often see more colors and patterns than we would at a black-tie wedding.

Beach Formal or Tropical Chic

If you’re attending a destination wedding, you may see either of these dress codes. The focus of these dress codes is to dress elegantly while still being comfortable in the heat and on the sand. For men, a linen suit or dress pants with a white button-down is a great option. Women can opt for long, flowy dresses in light fabrics and fun colors. Sandals or wedges will help you to avoid heels sinking into the sand.

Cocktail

For a slightly more relaxed or daytime wedding, a Cocktail dress code is a great option. This dress code allows women to opt for a shorter hemline with elevated silhouettes and materials. Dressy jumpsuits are also a great option! Men can opt for a suit in any color and even forgo a tie.

Semi-Formal or Dressy Casual

These two dress codes are used interchangeably and often parallel a “business casual” dress code you would see in a workplace. Think wrap dresses, jumpsuits, sports coats, and dress pants. Shoes can also be more casual, with options such as wedges or nice boots.

Casual

A casual dress code is usually reserved for daytime outdoor weddings, such as those in the backyard. Although this is the most laid-back dress code, jeans and sneakers are still prohibited. Guests can opt for sundresses, sandals, khakis, button-downs, and other elevated everyday wear.

Festive

The newest dress code we’ve seen in the wedding industry is Festive. In general, this dress code asks guests to play with fun colors and patterns while opting for a Cocktail Attire level of formality. Think fun dresses with bows or ruffles and fun colored suits.

Guest Outfit Illustrations with SamiaLynn Designs

The dress code is a key part of any wedding day and should be easily accessible to guests on the invitation or website. If you’re a guest, make sure you’re checking both of these places before reaching out to the couple! Having the dress code on the wedding website even allows couples to include visual references, such as outfit illustrations. If you’re planning a wedding and want to ensure you get as few dress code questions as possible, I’d love to work with you! We can sit down to create the perfect illustration to inspire your guests’ outfits on your big day.

Wedding Dress Codes De-Coded