How to say "cocktail" attire on invite?

Dress code should not go on the invites. The venue, time (evening Saturday), and formality of the invitations set the tone for the wedding.

We aren't putting that on our invite! We have a FAQ tab on our website that subtly states our formal dress code. Most of our guests already know, so it's not as serious to address it verbally. But I would do more of a word of mouth along with on your website!

Agree with pp. it doesn't usually go on invites unless you really want it to. we have that info on our website. and to answer your main question . . I think "cocktail" is perfectly fine. it's not meant to sounds fancy . . just informative.

I'm sorry! I totally skipped your main question!!

I have "We are requesting our guests wear formal attire - black tie optional but very encouraged." on our website under FAQ. We tried to make it as fun and as subtle as possible, so we ended it with "We hope that you see our big day as an opportunity for you to dress up and dance the night away with us!"

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This. Please trust adults to dress themselves. It's considered rude to dictate/mention dress code unless the venue requires it for entry (for example: super formal Oscars). Even in that case, it's spread by word of mouth. Even if you want to, you don't put dress code anywhere on invites or any inserts.

Weddings are semiformal or a notch up by default. When in doubt, ask the moms and grandmas because they have attended a few weddings and know the protocol.

The venue and invitation should convey the formality of the event. It’s inappropriate to mention attire on the invitation. If you really feel the need to tell your guests how to dress, your wedding website would be a better location to do so.

I have the same issue. I have some family who don’t understand dress codes and have shown up to weddings in khakis and polos that were not appropriate. I know they have suits since I’ve seen them wear them at funerals but for whatever reason no matter the style of wedding they never dress appropriately. I am not planning on a website but on the details card along with the hotel and shuttle info maybe putting something like cocktail attire or something to make sure they at least wear dress pants and a button up shirt and tie.

View Quoted Comment You are not primarily inviting strangers, I assume. So talk to them. In person, or on the telephone. If only people in 10 households are routinely a problem, make sure you or mom or MOG talk to them. Tell them you are looking forward to hosting your first formal party. Chat a bit. Be prepared to handle and stand firm on issues like not having children, and aren't sitters expensive ( but when adults go out for the evening with others for a formal evening out, it is babysitters or nothing.) Then ask for any questions they have. ... It has always been appropriate to let people know the formality, and you can even mention that in the past some family members have shown up dressed too casually for what was clearly a formal wedding. What is NOT on the invitations is dress code , the specifics of color or style or hemline or theme. But you may say straight out that we request the honor ...wedding of ... and the formal reception which follows at the country club, right on the invitation. And on the phone, discuss formal elements you are working on providing . 🙂 The people you would not call up this way, are those like your boss's wife, who knows better and does not need coaching. And people you should drop from your list, if you do not know them well enough to talk on the phone.

I put cocktail/semi-formal on our guest info page on our website with a few examples. I know others on this thread are saying that adults know dress codes, but that is definitely not true. My family has shown up in JEANS to a wedding before and I'm not having that.

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This!

Also, I consider myself a very put together, high functioning adult, and I verify a "dress code" pretty much every time I go out with any friends. I don't want to show up under/overdressed to any outing, much less a wedding. I greatly appreciate a wedding with a clear dress code.

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Agree with this 100%

View Quoted Comment I highly disagree with this. it’s not rude, in fact, when i’m invited to a wedding I am looking for some direction. how embarrassing would it be to be too over/underdressed??? also we have some family that is clueless/ just doesn’t care so this is our way of hopefully reinforcing they should dress nice. I put cocktail attire on my details card where it talks about where to park for the reception and the address. I just put it at the bottom in lowercase.

View Quoted Comment PREACH!
I put cocktail attire on the enclosure card and on the website. I’ll leave it to the guests to search cocktail attire for a better understanding if they need it.

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https://www.vogue.com/article/wedding-guest-etiquette-advice-rules

View Quoted Comment You have got to stop finding articles that state some kind of etiquette and preaching that that’s what everyone getting married has to go by lol

View Quoted Comment Also, this article was written and posted 8 years ago.

Hi OP!


I think cocktail attire on your details page is great! You can always include a little more info on your website!

View Quoted Comment Retweet sis!!

Sooo to actually answer your question, maybe something like “elevated cocktail” ? This article (https://www.brides.com/story/wedding-dress-code-explained) actually puts cocktail between semi-formal and formal/black tie optional, so I think it would be a good fit to what you’re describing 😊
Also, FWIW, I think it’s perfectly fine to list the dress code on a details card (just not the invitation itself). It’ll be helpful if you have guests who aren’t tech savvy or don’t think to check your wedding website!

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Love this idea! Elevated Cocktail

Thanks