Jeans or no jeans to a wedding?

Honestly I see both sides of it. I personally don't care at all what my guests wear. Their clothing choices will have absolutely no affect on my day. On the flip side, I just don't think it's a difficult request for guests to follow. That being said, I honestly don't think it's worth stressing over. Tell them that if they show up in jean, they won't be in any of your pictures and instruct your photographer to follow that directive. You have the ability to not allow them and their choices to affect you day. Don't give them the satisfaction of upsetting you.

As someone that wears jeans a majority of the time, I don't see jeans being an issue. However, I think explaining to them that the venue is a higher class event, dressing formal is important. I would also give a little white lie. "The venue has a dress code itself." We are doing semi-formal as we are not crazy about that style of wedding. It is pretty and all, but not us.

Wearing jeans at a ballroom is sending a message. Worldwide, weddings are special events to celebrate and solemnize a union. People in remote villages with no running water and no currency find ways to wear celebratory clothing for weddings. It is not a crazy request out of nowhere.

Sure, lots of people throw weddings where the theme is jeans or whatever, and that's their choice. But to act like it's some bizare expectation that family not wear jeans to a ballroom is a bit disengenous. They know this. They think it's funny, or want to draw attention to themselves.

FH and I are from a small southern town, and I already know we are going to have at least a few guests in their 'Sunday best' jeans. I don't love it, but our wedding is on the more casual side, so I'm not too worried about it.

Unless the wedding is super casual this would be tacky as can be. Not happening at my wedding.

It would depend on the wedding my sister had a backyard bbq wedding and nice jeans were permitted but my wedding is a more formal and jeans are not expected.

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Yeah I'm with you on that! Dress code is semi-formal/cocktail so def. no jeans for us!

View Quoted Comment I would understand if it was casual or a barn wedding but it’s formal and the venues dress code is very strict.

View Quoted Comment Yeah see I can understand that but the venue is very strict and we’ve always wanted a formal wedding .

View Quoted Comment Yes ma’am exactly!

I think jeans to a wedding are inappropriate, but if a couple is planning an informal, laid back, casual event and says jeans are fine (or encouraged) that's completely up to them.

If your dress code is "formal" then you are in suits/elegant dresses category, and jeans are absolutely a no go. If you are fine with khakis or dress pants and a button down shirt (or polo shirt) then your dress code is actually closer to semi-casual/dressy-casual. But if your husband's family is always underdressed, listing the dress code as "formal" might be the only way to get them out of jeans at the bare minimum. If you are having your wedding in a ballroom, they should absolutely dress up, and its possible your venue could even turn them away in jeans if the venue itself has a standard minimum of dress.

View Quoted Comment See exactly!! My wedding planner told me that we have the right to turn them away if they don’t listen to the dress code.

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Yes. I would ask your planner what the bare minimum is for your venue and then tell your FH's family that they will be turned away if they don't show up in at least that level of dress. You can let them know the venue is formal, and send them some links that explain the dress code (nearly every wedding website - WW, The Knot, Brides.com, etc - has articles about what each dress code means). Let them know that a formal event requires a formal dress, which means a dark suit for the men and a longer, formal dress for the ladies. I think most nicer venues require at least a jacket (so dress pants, button down shirt, and sports coat) for men and a nice jumpsuit, dress, or skirt/top combo for the women.

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I agree with you!! The venue def. sets the tone for the whole event, and if it's more formal then of course you'd want a more formal dress code to match!

View Quoted Comment Yes ma’am!! I hate to be a bridezilla but I do have a say in the dress code along with the venue !

View Quoted Comment Than you so much!! I will be talking more with my wedding planner !

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I already know that we're going to have some guests show up in very casual attire but I'm not worrying about it.

Team no jeans! Especially for a formal ballroom venue

I just posted this the other day. It is tacky and uncouth.

Unless it is a very casual wedding, jeans are simply not appropriate. I hope your fiancé's family get over themselves and dress for the occasion.