Guest Attire for Backyard Wedding

shortcakes3414

Hey Ladies, looking for wording on the invitation regarding attire.  We are getting married at a church, but having the reception at the home of my parents.  Church will begin at 3:30PM and reception at 5PM.  We want our guests to be relaxed, but at the same time not have them arrive in khaki's and a polo.  Thinking of men in sport coats and ladies in light dresses; how can we incorporate this into the invitation so that our guests are aware?  We don't want anyone to arrive underdressed and feel uncomfortable.  Any suggestions are welcome. 

theelusive1

Nope you cant tell your guests what to wear unless the venue is black tie or has a dress code.  Your invitation formality and the venue usually dictates what people will chose to wear.

JaxInBlue

Ditto PP.  Use an invitation style that alludes to a more formal event.  Don't say anything about dress on or in your invitations, unless your church has a specifically articulated dress code for worship (such as women needing to cover shoulders).  For all other dress code preferences, you need to wait until guests ask for that info. 

When we were asked by some guests, our answer was "Whatever makes you comfortable." If guests pushed, we provided some sort of reference to what our parents were wearing or what the bridal party was wearing - Mom's dress is tea length grey satin, Grandpa is wearing a suit, the bridesmaids' dresses are knee length and blue - etc. that might clarify the formality of the event without telling the guests that they could or couldn't wear.

Maggie0829

The only time you are able to designate a dress code is if you are having a black tie wedding, if the venue you are having your wedding has a specific dress code, or the church in which you are getting married has a dress code.

Like PP said, your invitations should reflect the formality of the event that you are going for and will then give an idea to your guests on how they should dress.

Also, the time of day will play into how people dress.  I would dress differently for a late afternoon wedding then I would an evening or nighttime wedding.

DaveandRoxy

Say "Sunday Best". 

Maggie0829

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_guest-attire-for-backyard-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:839884dc-b422-4617-acf3-aec3f2754329Post:89a17b95-29a1-43eb-b3a2-572188069064">Re: Guest Attire for Backyard Wedding</a>:
[QUOTE]Say "Sunday Best". 
Posted by DaveandRoxy[/QUOTE]

You cannot even state this.  Stating anything about a dress code is considered rude (that is unless it falls under the three situations I stated above: venue restrictions, black tie affair, or church/religious places of worship restrictions). 

The guests that you are inviting to your wedding are adults and know how to dress themselves properly for events.  If they decide to show up in ripped jeans and a dirty
t-shirt, they are the one's that will look ridiculous not the bride.