Can i request formal attire on invites?

I think it’s acceptable but I would say “Formal Attire”

Agree with PP, put "Formal Attire". I didn't put it on my invitations, but instead I put it on our wedding website (our RSVP is online so they have to go there anyways).

Don't put it on your invitation. You can say formal attire on your details card if you must but it really should go on your website and be spread by word of mouth if people ask. It's not really polite to tell your guests how to dress.

It’s rude to dictate how your guests dress. Your venue and invitations should convey the formality of the event. If you didn’t want people to dress more casually, a barn probably wasn’t the best venue option. Most people don’t wear tuxes to barns. If you’re really insistent on dictating the guest’s attire, I would mention it on your website, not the invitations.

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I didn't even think about the website. That is a great idea! How did you phrase it/where on the website did you put this?

I am getting married in a barn and wrote "formal reception with buffet style dining and dancing to follow" on my invitations. I think something along those lines or even just "formal attire" or "formal wedding" would do. It's not rude and if it is o well lol.

It's very rude to dictate dress for your guests. The invitation itself is used to communicate the level of formality. If you have super casual invites (i dont' know if you do) and your wedding is in a barn - that's about the furthest from "formal" that I could imagine. It won't affect you at all if some guests show up in jeans. And even if you put "formal" some people may still do that. Not worth thinking about - just let it go.

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I can see that, but the barn is not very rustic looking itself. It has lighting, drapery, and chandeliers in it. I have worked in the hospitality industry for the past 6 years and I have worked/seen a lot of weddings in hotels. I needed a venue that was meant specifically for weddings and didn't have that corporate feel I get with hotels and other similar spaces. But I will definitely put the attire on the website and not the invitation. Thanks!

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I like that this adds additional detail! I think I will put something like that on my website/detail card. Thanks!

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On the first page under wedding details and on the FAQ page.

On the front page it says "Attire: Semi-Formal"

On the FAQ page it says:
What do I wear?

Answer: Our wedding is semi-formal/cocktail attire

Feel free to look at it if you want! www.theknot.com/us/bri_and_ross

I would put it on a details card, not the invitation. And I’d say something like “formal attire requested” to seem less harsh lol

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Thank you!! It was really helpful to look at your website - I haven't made mine yet. I wouldn't have thought to include some of those details in the FAQ. Also, your engagement photos are awesome!

I personally disagree with the invitations telling people how to dress is rude, I think it's efficient. I think saying formal reception to follow is perfectly fine.
For me I have never once understood how to tell formality from an invite, even when I Google it they all sound the same. I used a prewritten template for my own.
Overall word of mouth and website is ideal for the details. You can say formal reception to follow and place on the website that your dress code is suits (or tuxedos) to clear things up.

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That is a good point... Thanks!

I'd put "Formal Attire" on your details card and website. No need to write it directly on your invitations! Specifying a dress code for a wedding isn't rude though, I don't know why someone is suggesting that.

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All of this. 100%

I personally don’t think it’s rude at all. Any wedding I’ve ever been to/invited to has had the dress code printed on the invitation. So because of that, I assumed it was the norm.

I agree with PPs, “formal attire” is okay to say at the bottom of your invites and/or on your website. Side note, I was actually just talking to my moms friend who went to a wedding at a venue that sounds similar to yours. It was a barn, but still very upscale. The brides family was dressed more formal, but the grooms family showed up in jeans and work boots because they saw “barn” and just rolled with it. I would feel awkward if I showed up to a wedding under dressed or not dressed appropriately so I don’t think it’s going to bother most guests—that’s how you dress for a wedding usually and you’re conveying that to them so no one gets confused. I’m sorry for the rant lol. It’s not about “dictating” what your guests wear, it’s about giving them the information that they need.

I don’t think those exact words should go on the invite, but I do think “formal reception to follow” is completely acceptable. You could also put it on a details card. Know that if you only put it on your website maybe 25% of your guests will actually see it.

We only put formal attire on our website, not invites. Our invitations were extremely formal so most guests got the hint.