I am trying to come up with the best way to suggest to my guest to dress up for our wedding without cornering them into a "formal attire" or "black or white tie" label. I was even informed that "dress to impress" can be considered offensive to some guests suggesting they would not do so otherwise. My thought is that indicating "Red Carpet" attire would make the guests aware that the event will be elegant yet at the same time it is not directly instructing them to wear a coat and tie or evening/cocktail dress. Your thoughts?
Re: Red Carpet Attire
Adults know what to wear to weddings based on how formal the invitation is (the style of paper and font, not the wording) as well as the type of venue.
is requested at the marriage of
Bride's Name
and
Groom's Name
Saturday, the twenty-third of June
two thousand and twelve
at half-past four o'clock
Grand Island Ball Room
City, State
It wouldn't work in an invitation. But I also am including an insert with my invite that has driving directions, hotel information, and a note that "a map and other information" is available on our wedding website. If people are so concerned about matching the attire, they will find it there. If not, no worries.
Like PP's said, most people will be able to figure out what to wear based on invite and venue. I generally think of most weddings as being formal, unless suggested otherwise. And I would immediately think it was formal as soon as I saw the word "Ballroom" as venue, a most ballrooms are formal venues.
after your ceremony info you can say dinner and dancing to follow at the grand island ballroom
If I received a wedding invite that said "red carpet attire," first I would gag and roll my eyes. Then, I would show up in a floor length dress and , H in a tux. And if you werent hosting a truly black tie event, you better believe I would be pissed.
And, I am a born and raised Midwestern, and I am completely capable of dressing myself for any event. Thank you very much.