Dress code is one of the top reasons guests text couples the week of the wedding. Not because they don’t care — but because most dress codes are written in vague, “industry” language. In 2026, guests expect clarity in plain English: what to wear, what to avoid, and how formal it really is.

This guide gives you copy-paste dress code wording for every style (from Black Tie to Beach Casual), plus smart add-ons for weather, shoes, cultural notes, and what to do when you truly don’t care what guests wear. If you’re building or updating your site, pair this with Wedding Website FAQs (With Copy-Paste Examples) so your dress code answers are easy to find.

What guests actually want from your dress code

A great dress code section does three things:

• Sets the vibe: “formal,” “garden party,” “cocktail,” etc.
• Translates it: what that means in real outfits.
• Prevents stress: shoes, weather, venue terrain, and “is this too much?” reassurance.

To keep everything consistent, place your dress code in two places: your schedule page (each event) and your FAQ page. For structure tips, see How to Share Wedding Info with Guests (Without the Stress).

Where to put dress code on your wedding website

• Schedule / Events page: Add attire to each event card (Welcome Drinks, Ceremony, Reception, Brunch).
• FAQ page: Answer the “What does that mean?” question with examples.
• Homepage (optional): Only if it’s unusual or important (e.g., “Black Tie” or “Outdoor ceremony on grass”).

If you’re not sure when to publish each piece, use Wedding Website Timeline.

Copy-paste dress code wording (by category)

1) White Tie

Best for: Ultra-formal evening weddings and galas.

Copy-paste wording:
Dress code: White Tie. Floor-length gowns or formal evening dresses. For suits, a black tailcoat with white waistcoat and white bow tie is traditional. If you don’t own white tie attire, a very formal black tuxedo is a safe alternative.

2) Black Tie

Best for: Formal evening weddings, ballroom venues, classic city celebrations.

Copy-paste wording:
Dress code: Black Tie. Tuxedos or dark formal suits are welcome. For dresses: floor-length gowns, formal midi dresses, or elevated evening attire. Think polished, classic, and camera-ready.

3) Black Tie Optional

Best for: Formal vibe without requiring everyone to rent a tux.

Copy-paste wording:
Dress code: Black Tie Optional. Tuxedos are encouraged but not required. Dark suits and formal dresses are perfect. Aim for elevated evening wear.

4) Formal / Evening Formal

Best for: Elegant venues, evening celebrations, hotel and estate weddings.

Copy-paste wording:
Dress code: Formal. Suits with ties or elevated separates. Long dresses or dressy midi dresses are great. Think “wedding guest” polished rather than casual.

5) Cocktail Attire

Best for: Most modern weddings, especially late afternoon and evening.

Copy-paste wording:
Dress code: Cocktail. Suits or dress shirts with slacks (tie optional). Cocktail dresses, midi dresses, or a dressy jumpsuit. Aim for stylish and semi-formal.

6) Semi-Formal / Dressy Casual

Best for: Daytime weddings, restaurants, relaxed venues.

Copy-paste wording:
Dress code: Semi-Formal / Dressy Casual. Collared shirts with slacks or a suit without a tie. Dresses, skirts, or jumpsuits that feel special but not overly formal. No jeans, please.

7) Garden Party / Outdoor Elegant

Best for: Garden ceremonies, estates, vineyard weddings.

Copy-paste wording:
Dress code: Garden Party. Light suits, dress shirts, or elevated separates. Floral dresses, midi dresses, or dressy jumpsuits. We’ll be outdoors — block heels, wedges, or flats are recommended for grass.

8) Beach Formal / Coastal Cocktail

Best for: Oceanfront ceremonies, destination weddings, resorts.

Copy-paste wording:
Dress code: Beach Formal. Think elevated, breathable attire: linen suits, light-colored suits, dress shirts with slacks, and airy dresses or dressy jumpsuits. Avoid stilettos in sand; wedges or flats work best.

9) Casual / Come As You Are

Best for: Backyard weddings, courthouse celebrations, intimate gatherings.

Copy-paste wording:
Dress code: Casual. Wear what makes you feel comfortable and celebratory. Sundresses, nice separates, and button-downs are all welcome. Please skip anything you’d wear to the gym.

10) Themed Dress Codes (use with care)

Best for: Creative couples who want a playful guest experience.

Copy-paste wording:
Dress code: [Theme Name]. We’d love for guests to join the vibe with colors, textures, or accessories that match the theme. Keep it comfortable and wedding-appropriate — no need to buy anything new unless you want to.

If you’re planning a weekend of events, consider listing attire per event (welcome night vs ceremony vs brunch). For destination guests, this reduces packing stress. See Destination Wedding Website Must-Haves.

Add-ons that make your dress code instantly clearer

Weather note (copy-paste)

Copy-paste wording:
We’ll be outdoors for part of the celebration. Evenings can be cool — we recommend bringing a light jacket or wrap.

Shoes note for grass / cobblestones (copy-paste)

Copy-paste wording:
The ceremony will be on grass and the paths are uneven. Block heels, wedges, flats, or dressy sandals are strongly recommended.

Color guidance (copy-paste)

Copy-paste wording:
Wear any colors you love. We only ask guests to avoid white, ivory, or anything that reads bridal in photos.

Cultural or religious considerations (copy-paste)

Copy-paste wording:
If you’d like to participate in the ceremony comfortably, we recommend attire that covers shoulders and knees. Thank you for celebrating respectfully with us.

For guidance on what’s okay to request and how to word it kindly, read Wedding Website Etiquette: What’s Okay (and What’s Not).

Dress code examples guests find most helpful

If you can add one extra sentence, make it an example line. Guests love hearing “what this looks like”:

• Black Tie: “Floor-length gowns and tuxedos — think formal evening.”
• Cocktail: “Midi dresses, dressy jumpsuits, and suits — tie optional.”
• Garden Party: “Floral dresses and light suits — wear shoes that work on grass.”
• Beach Formal: “Breathable fabrics, elevated looks, and comfortable footwear for sand.”

Common dress code mistakes (and what to do instead)

• Only listing the label: Add one translation sentence with examples.
• Not separating multi-event attire: Guests pack wrong. Label each event clearly on your schedule.
• Being too strict without context: If you have a request (colors, coverage), explain why kindly.
• Burying the answer: Put it in the FAQ and schedule, not only on the homepage.

Want to avoid other common website pitfalls? Read Common Wedding Website Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them).

Quick template: copy this into your wedding website

Attire: [Dress code label]. [One sentence translating it into real outfits]. [One sentence about shoes/weather/terrain].

Example:

Attire: Cocktail. Midi dresses, dressy jumpsuits, and suits (tie optional). The ceremony is outdoors on grass — block heels or flats recommended.

Build faster with Weddnesday

Weddnesday makes it easy to create a guest-friendly website that answers questions before they become texts. Start with Templates, follow the Wedding Website Checklist, and use your website as the single, updated source of truth. If you want hands-off help, try Free Setup.

FAQ

Do I have to include a dress code?
Not always, but it helps. Even a simple label plus one example sentence prevents confusion. If you truly don’t care, say that clearly.

What if my guests don’t own formalwear?
Choose “Black Tie Optional” or “Formal” and add reassurance: “Wear your best elevated look — no need to rent anything.”

How do I handle multiple events?
List attire per event on your schedule page (welcome night vs ceremony vs brunch). Use Wedding Website Timeline to time updates.

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