You've picked the venue. You've locked in the date. And somewhere between the cake tasting and the seating chart, you've realized: you need to tell 120 people what to wear.
If you're staring at a blank text box on your wedding website wondering how to say "formal, but not that formal" — you're not alone. Dress code wording is one of the most Googled parts of wedding planning, and for good reason. Get it wrong and you'll spend the month before your wedding fielding the same text over and over. Get it right, and your guests show up looking exactly the way you imagined.
This post gives you word-for-word wording you can copy, customize, and paste directly into your wedding website — for every dress code from black tie to barefoot on the beach.
Why Your Wedding Website Is the Best Place to Explain Your Dress Code
Your invitation can say "cocktail attire" — but that tells your guests almost nothing. Does that mean a suit and tie? A midi dress? Can she wear a pantsuit? What about your uncle who thinks "cocktail" means chinos?
Your wedding website is where you give the full picture. Unlike printed invitations, it gives you space to:
- Explain what the dress code actually means in plain language
- Share what to avoid (florals if you're having a floral-heavy ceremony, or heels on a lawn venue)
- Note practical details — like "the ceremony is outdoors on grass, so stilettos are tough"
- Show a visual mood or color palette if you want to get specific
Think of your dress code page as the section that makes your guests feel confident and prepared. When they feel confident, they enjoy your day more. And you get to spend your wedding morning not answering texts.
The Two-Part Formula for Dress Code Wording That Actually Works
The best dress code sections on a wedding website follow a simple two-part structure:
Part 1 — Name the dress code and define it in plain language. Don't just say "black tie." Say what that means for your specific wedding.
Part 2 — Add one or two practical notes. Think: outdoor terrain, weather, color requests, or what to avoid.
Here's what that looks like in practice:
"We're asking guests to dress in black tie. For him: a tuxedo or dark formal suit. For her: a floor-length gown, a formal midi dress, or dressy separates. The reception is fully indoor, so there are no terrain surprises — just come ready to dance."
That's it. Two parts. Clear, warm, and specific.
Ready-to-Use Wording for Every Dress Code
Black Tie
"We'd love for our wedding to feel like a true occasion. Black tie requested — tuxedos or dark suits for him, floor-length gowns or formal midi dresses for her. The entire evening is indoors, so dress to impress."
"Dress code: black tie. Think gowns, tuxedos, and your most glamorous evening look. We want everyone to feel like the main character."
"We're going all out — and we'd love for you to as well. Black tie attire is requested. For him: a tuxedo. For her: a floor-length or formal midi gown. The more elegant, the better."
Black Tie Optional
"Dress code: black tie optional. A tuxedo or dark suit for him, and a floor-length gown or cocktail dress for her. You don't have to go all-out, but we'd love it if you did."
"Black tie optional means: tuxedos are welcome but not required. Think formal suits, gowns, or sophisticated cocktail dresses. This is your chance to get dressed up — and we hope you take it."
Cocktail Attire
"We're asking guests to dress in cocktail attire. For him: a suit and tie (or dressed-up separates). For her: a cocktail dress, elegant jumpsuit, or dressy midi. Think polished and party-ready."
"Dress code: cocktail attire. That means a suit for him and a knee-to-midi length dress or chic separates for her. Feel free to have fun with color — we'd love to see you in your element."
"Cocktail attire is requested. You don't need a ball gown, but this is absolutely the moment to dress up. Suits, dresses, jumpsuits — as long as it's elevated, you're golden."
Semi-Formal / Dressy Casual
"Dress code: semi-formal. Think Sunday-best — a blazer and trousers for him, and a sundress, wrap dress, or nice separates for her. Not quite a suit-and-tie night, but a step above every day."
"We're keeping it dressy-casual. Nice pants and a button-down for him, a casual-elegant dress or blouse-and-skirt for her. You'll want to look polished — but you'll also be comfortable all night."
"We're calling it 'garden party chic.' Flowy dresses, linen suits, strappy sandals — think warm and elegant, not stiff and formal."
Garden Party / Outdoor Ceremony Note
"Dress code: garden party attire. Flowy dresses, blazers, linen and pastel tones are all welcome. A note: the ceremony is on a grass lawn, so we'd suggest wedges or block heels over stilettos. Comfortable and beautiful — you've got this."
"Our ceremony is taking place outside, so keep that in mind when choosing your shoes — the lawn is soft and grass-covered. Dress code: garden elegant. Think florals, soft colors, and summer-celebration energy."
"We're getting married under the open sky, so come dressed for a beautiful outdoor celebration. Garden attire — light fabrics, wedges welcome, and nothing you'd mind a little sunshine on."
Beach / Destination / Casual Outdoor
"Dress code: beach formal. That means flowing dresses, linen suits, and comfortable sandals. The ceremony is on the sand — leave the heels at home. Light colors and natural fabrics are your best friends."
"We're keeping it relaxed and beachy. Sundresses, linen separates, and clean casual looks are perfect. Comfortable shoes are strongly encouraged — you'll be on grass and sand throughout the evening."
"Think: smart casual meets sunset vibes. No suits required, but come looking like your best self. Sundresses, nice shorts, and anything you'd wear to a really beautiful outdoor dinner."
White / Ivory Request
"One small note: we ask that guests avoid wearing white or ivory — those shades are reserved for the bride. Other than that, wear whatever makes you feel amazing."
"We'd kindly ask guests not to wear white, cream, or ivory. Everything else — including bold prints and bright colors — is absolutely encouraged."
Color Palette Suggestions (Optional Add-On)
Some couples want to go a step further and suggest a color palette for photos. Here's how to do that without making it feel like a mandate:
"We love the idea of our guests dressing in earthy, neutral tones — terracotta, sage, cream, warm browns. It's just a suggestion, not a requirement. Wear what makes you feel beautiful."
"If you're looking for color inspiration, we're envisioning a palette of dusty blues, soft neutrals, and warm greens. But truly — wear what you love. We just want you there."
"We have a soft preference for jewel tones and deep, rich colors — but any color (except white) is welcome. Wear your favorites."
What to Do If Your Dress Code Varies by Event
If you're hosting multiple events — a rehearsal dinner, welcome party, or morning-after brunch — make sure each one has its own dress code note. You don't want guests showing up to a casual backyard brunch in black tie because they misread the details.
Here's a simple way to format it:
Rehearsal Dinner (Friday, June 6) Smart casual — a nice dress or blouse for her, trousers and a button-down for him. Comfortable but polished.
Ceremony & Reception (Saturday, June 7) Black tie optional. Gowns, tuxedos, and formal cocktail attire welcome.
Morning Brunch (Sunday, June 8) Come as you are. Casual and comfortable — you've earned it.
If you want your guests to feel fully prepared for every event, a clear breakdown like this saves everyone a lot of guesswork.
A Few Phrases to Avoid (and What to Say Instead)
Some dress code language that's common on invitations doesn't actually help guests know what to wear. Here's what to swap out:
Instead of: "Dress to impress" Say: "Cocktail attire — think dresses, suits, and your most polished look."
Instead of: "Festive attire" Say: "We'd love guests to wear bold colors, statement pieces, and anything that feels celebratory. Think holiday party but make it chic."
Instead of: "Smart casual" Say: "A step above jeans and sneakers — nice trousers and a blouse, or a casual summer dress. Polished but relaxed."
Instead of: Nothing (no dress code listed) Say: Even a simple "No formal dress code — come dressed to celebrate" is better than silence. Guests want permission to relax.
Where to Put the Dress Code on Your Wedding Website
The dress code can live in a few places on your site, and the best choice depends on how much you want to say:
On the FAQ page: Perfect if your dress code is simple and doesn't need much explanation. Something like "Cocktail attire — suits and dresses welcome" fits neatly as a FAQ answer. (If you haven't set up your FAQ page yet, check out What to Put on Your Wedding Website FAQ Page for 20 copy-ready examples.)
On the Details or Schedule page: Good for weddings with multiple events and multiple dress codes. Pair each event's details with its dress code right underneath.
On a dedicated Dress Code page: Best for couples with specific requests — a detailed palette, venue terrain notes, or cultural considerations. If guests will need a paragraph or two to fully understand what to wear, give the dress code its own page so it's easy to find.
No matter where it lives on your site, make sure there's a clear heading — something as simple as Dress Code or What to Wear — so guests can find it without scrolling through everything else.
The Goal: Zero Texts, Zero Surprises
Your guests want to show up and feel right. They want to know they're not overdressed or underdressed. They want to know if the heels are going to sink into grass.
A clear, warm, practical dress code section on your wedding website gives them all of that — and gives you back a few weeks of inbox peace before the big day.
If you haven't built your wedding website yet, or you're working from a template that doesn't quite feel like you, browse the Easy Aisle Studio collection — every template includes a dedicated dress code section you can update in minutes.
Still building the rest of your site? Here's what to write on every page of your wedding website.