Invitation Dress Code Etiquette

Great question! The attire information would go on your wedding website. I would include an insert card with your invitations that says “For more information visit: www.yourweddingwebsite.com”
I would also include the website on your save the dates. That would allow people to check out the website and make plans in advance.

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Okay - we also have a details card that covers transportation and accommodations with our website link, as well as a small RSVP card that requests that people RSVP online. So I think that should work! Thanks for confirming that the attire should not go on the invites.

Cocktail attire is the default for a traditional wedding not designated black tie. So, unless there is a venue requirement, I'm of the belief that you should not be imposing a dress code at all. At most you might mention on the website that Indian attire is welcome for the welcome dinner. Recommending it goes too far and would be an imposition.

Agreed with the others. Attire suggestions would go on the website, but I do think saying "Indian attire welcome" is probably better.

We used the phrase, "Cocktail or Filipiniana" (traditional Filipino attire) to indicate that traditional attire was welcome. I think that you still need to provide your non-Indian guests some type of guideline for the Welcome Party since they won't necessarily understand what the "American" equivalent of traditional Indian attire is, and they may not have context for how formal a traditional Hindu ceremony is supposed to be.

Also to be a stickler for etiquette, dress codes don't belong on an invitation. The only exception is "black tie", which actually isn't a dress code.

The majority of dress codes that people use and suggest are not real dress codes. They are made up names that confuse people instead of helping them. Also, unless the venue requires black tie attire to enter, a dress code has no place on the invitation, the inserts or the website. Guests are adults who have been dressing themselves appropriately their entire lives. In many social circles, when no dress code is mentioned by word of mouth, it is understood to be semi formal/cocktail by default. Pre wedding parties including the rehearsal dinner/welcome party are not mentioned on any correspondence outside of word of mouth. Unless it’s a black tie event, which are rare, they are often casual with the bride and groom wearing a nice tshirt and jeans combo.