Every Wedding Guest Dress Code Explained from Black Tie to Casual

Every Wedding Guest Dress Code Explained from Black Tie to Casual. I cover White Tie, Black Tie, Black Tie Optional, Semiformal/Cocktail, Casual, and Cultural.
*If you do not identify as a woman, you can always wear a jumpsuit or tuxedo or pantsuit for black tie weddings. Dresses are never the only option for formal. I forgot to mention this.*
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I'm a wedding film photographer based in San Diego, serving worldwide. My passion is educating couples on all things related to wedding photography, including plans you might not think impact photos but do! My work has been published on Style Me Pretty, Magnolia Rouge, Wedding Sparrow, Martha Stewart Weddings, Ruffled, and more!
Music: Joakim Karud, Bensound

[@cavinelizabeth]

**If you do not identify as a woman, you can always wear a jumpsuit or tuxedo or formal pantsuit for black tie weddings. Dresses are never the only option for formal. I forgot to mention this.**

[@eliegbert8121]

Your mindless bowing to wokeism has rotted your brain to the point where you feel obligated to apologize for insinuating that women should wear dresses

[@sevantorosyan6868]

love this comment!! I grew up a complete tomboy, love the open mindedness to dress codes

[@leahphyfer2139]

Thanks for thinking of us ❤️

[@Lilly-P]

What does not identifying as a woman.mean?& since when has the jumpsuit been associated with this confusion??

[@DeborahM116]

Thanks for speaking on the cultural wedding attire! I'm Nigerian-Canadian and it's quite common to invite guests from all backgrounds to dress in Nigerian attire for the more traditional wedding events. You are so correct that in this instance, it is not cultural appropriation but rather appreciation and respect for the couple's culture/customs!

[@cavinelizabeth]

I would love the opportunity to take part in someone else's culture! It sounds so welcoming and special :)

[@spaghettiking7312]

I plan on wearing White Tie to my wedding. The dress code for my wedding party is Black Tie, and then regular suits/cocktail for guests. I think making the bride and groom a notch up in terms of formality makes them stand out just that bit more. Besides, White Tie is such a unique and difficult-to-fit garment, that I wouldn't be comfortable asking people who might have no idea how to wear it to try to fit into one.

[@cavinelizabeth]

I love that idea.

[@danielleferguson2332]

Our wedding dress code is "Semi Formal Creative", as we want our guests to feel comfortable wearing something more bold or out there. If they have a cool pattern or design outfit that they can never wear, our wedding is where they can put it to use.

[@cavinelizabeth]

Oooh that's cool!

[@mortviolette284]

Think ball gowns for White Tie! That’s not required these days, but you’re not likely to see ball gowns with Black Tie.

[@eroslove1787]

My only regret in my wedding is not emphasizing the word formal in attire People came in graphic tee, ripped jeans and Crocs 🙈🙈😬😬 Although I didn't even notice until we receive the photos Amazing day anyway👰🤵

[@cavinelizabeth]

Wow, that's crazy that people would attend a wedding like that! Glad you enjoyed the day!

[@mitsukislife]

Oh my god 💀 I've never thought of weddings as anything less than formal so that is very shocking to hear (saying this as a Nigerian, everyone always dresses for events)

[@boognewsnetwork7620]

You didn’t discuss Formal Day Dress/Morning Suits🙁 We are having Formal Day Dress as the dress code for our ceremony & since the reception is way later in the day with a several hour gap in between, we are having a White-tie dress code for the reception.

[@frienduke]

Thank you. It was informative and clear

[@cavinelizabeth]

Glad it was helpful!

[@iluvzurara2]

I’ve never heard of white tie! Haha def validates what you meant by rare loll thank you for this it was very helpful!

[@cavinelizabeth]

I will probably never see one in my life! I am just not that fancy lol

[@Marie_Garwood]

Such a helpful video as usual, Cavin! I didn’t previously know the distinction of black tie optional vs semiformal. So informative and educational as usual!

[@cavinelizabeth]

You're welcome as always!!

[@jennero6868]

So helpful! Thank you.

[@cavinelizabeth]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Kris10Swilley]

LOVE this! Now, I want to go to a white tie wedding so bad. lol

[@petitsjoujoux5011]

Thank you for the lovely video!!! How would you suggest a wedding guest to prepare for transitional season? My best friend's wedding is in September in Canada, so sometimes it can be 20 degree Celsius and it can also be 8 degree Celsius.....

[@cavinelizabeth]

Go sleeveless/off shoulder and bring a shawl or dressy bolero in case it gets cold. :) And just in case, you could bring a light peacoat and leave it in the car if you need something warmer.

[@sarafinamariebeauty7666]

Sooo helpful thankssss.

[@cavinelizabeth]

You're welcome!

[@vanessamaciel9306]

I choose to wear a black and red vintage blouse with black pants that kinda looks like a jumpsuit. I was insecure about the black, but It's not a deep black, and I added a bit of red at the legs of the pants to balance and make it look like one single piece. I hope it doesn't look way too dark

[@cavinelizabeth]

Sounds beautiful!

[@rosaliecastueras9673]

Can you suggest what can we wear as a guest in a wedding,the theme is rustic autumn

[@cavinelizabeth]

Yes!! I just made one. Not all of these would be rustic but some will work. 14 Fall 2022 Wedding Guest Dresses kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZa1n3t3rbd0pMU

[@pixsiedoll2341]

I'm going to a napa wedding in spring 2022. What should I wear. It's a black tie formal. I have a long flowy floral print dress. Would that be okay

[@cavinelizabeth]

I think as long as the fabric is formal (not cotton, perhaps), you should be ok. Do you have a link to it?

[@pixsiedoll2341]

@@cavinelizabeth it's l like a chiffon fabric.

[@cavinelizabeth]

Sounds good!

[@chiquigomez4831]

What you should were in a winery as Formal Attire in invitation, at 4:00 Iclock in sumner time

[@rearea1239]

I may be going to a No Kids cocktail style wedding in the fall. I’ll be 16 at the time. What style dress is appropriate for a 16yo to wear to a cocktail wedding? There’s not really anything online on what teenagers should wear to these types of weddings.(FYI I may not be allowed to go but it is just No Kids so there’s not like screaming and crying and what not. Not for anything like actually adult. Just figured I should clarify that haha!!)

[@cavinelizabeth]

I would wear something knee length or mid-calf length. A brighter fall color. Maybe something with a longer sleeve for warmth or sleeveless but with a shawl/cute coat. :)

[@rearea1239]

@@cavinelizabeth ok thank you!!!! I’ve never been to a fancier wedding and since I would be younger I just wanted to make sure I dressed appropriately haha!!! Thank you so much!!

[@boethia7367]

So mad. Have a wedding to attend in less than a month outside and the attire isn't listed and when asked they say to wear whatever you want. I have no clue if I'm going to be over or underdressed. My MIL and FIL's wedding was a barn wedding casual required. MIL is helping them put it together, so I'm going to go with a really nice romper or cocktail style dress and put more effort in the extras.

[@cavinelizabeth]

Ah that is tough! I would shoot for cocktail so you are right in the middle :)

[@boethia7367]

@@cavinelizabeth Thank you! I was debating, but I think that's the safest choice.

[@RHagans]

Are formal and black-tie optional synonymous?

[@cavinelizabeth]

Black tie is formal but formal isn't necessarily black tie. Formal could mean a dark suit and tie for men whereas black tie means a tuxedo and definitely not a suit if that makes sense.

[@mph7282]

"Formal" = white tie (if it's in the evening, daytime formal has something else). "Semi-formal" = black tie (again, in the evening, daytime semi-formal is something else, and a tuxedo is not appropriate for a daytime event). "Cocktail" = a suit, preferably dark in color, but can be lighter in color if the event is in the daytime or in warm weather. Everything below that is some level of "casual". There is a tendency in our increasingly casual world to elevate a sport coat and chinos to "semi-formal", but that is incorrect. The purpose of strict formal and semi-formal dress code rules for men is so that they are all dressed alike and do not call attention away from the women at the event. This is especially true for weddings, where you are not the main attraction. You want to look nice, but the event is about the couple, and you do not want to call attention to yourself. That said, there are also variations, such as "creative black tie", which is when you might bust out the bright colored tie or leopard print dinner jacket, as the dress code encourages you to be more festive and less formal.

[@LemCatOfficial]

Thank you for the tips! I have never been to a wedding and the bride said to dress formal. Maybe I overthink it as someone who knows little about fashion (literally black-t-blue-jean-everyday girl) but this helped significantly - especially advising us to dress no less than the venue!

[@cavinelizabeth]

You are so welcome! You'll do great!

[@kingsavage6959]

As a wedding guest for a black tie wedding is it ok for me to wear a small train

[@cavinelizabeth]

I think if it's 10 in or less, yes though do be mindful it will get stepped on during the dance floor festivities

[@EstellaKariuki.]

Can I wear a short dress in a wedding

[@cavinelizabeth]

I personally wouldn't go more than 4 inches above the knee (i.e. no clubbing-esque attire). For black tie and formal, it's more customary to wear a midi or floor length gown but I have seen people wear a knee length that is very nice fabric. I would stick with long for formal/black tie personally. For cocktail/semi-formal I always see a mix of lengths. Maxi, midi, mini (knee length to up to about 4 in above the knee)

[@ArtbookendsMeyer]

my granddaughter is getting marry in June 2nd and it will be formal but I don't have a formal dress....I am now 76 years old and I don''t have a body for a long dress what can I wear for a formals wedding?

[@cavinelizabeth]

You can wear formal dress slacks and a very formal blouse, perhaps with a broach to dress it up more - hair curled or updo can help make your look more formal as well and a nice clutch (you can always find something affordable that looks "fancy")

[@ArtbookendsMeyer]

@@cavinelizabeth

[@ArtbookendsMeyer]

Can you send me some clothing that has a dress pants and top for someone of 76 years old for a formal wedding...Thank you

[@juliecortes8459]

As a constructive criticism, I would refrain from saying "it is unlikely you will be invited to/attending a white tie wedding." and placing less attention to this attire and the etiquette if you are including it on your video. Although people who attend this type of event are highly unlikely to be looking for 'dress code' advice on this platform, it defeats the purpose of providing advice in this category.

[@cavinelizabeth]

It was more a comment on how rare those are, especially in America where a whopping majority of my viewers are. My colleagues and I very rarely see invites with white tie.