Website etiquette question - attire

WhatawagSBNy

Traditional etiquette is that no one ever dresses more formally than the bride and groom. Guests dress the same level of formality, or one step less formal.
Most websites I have been referred to the B & G simply say what they are wearing and assume guests will figure it out or call.

raissyrais

I'm sorry but I read the "child-free" as I would read "chicken free".

annakay511

Unless I see otherwise, I assume a wedding is Semi-Formal. However, I think its helpful to guests to let them know the "dress code". That being said, I don't think you need to spell it out for them. If they aren't sure what semi-formal means, they can google it.

I don't like the way you worded "child-free dinner and dancing" - like, you're not eating children? I think if you want to include this is should say "Adult reception with dinner and dancing to follow."

[Deleted User]

annakay511 said:

Unless I see otherwise, I assume a wedding is Semi-Formal. However, I think its helpful to guests to let them know the "dress code". That being said, I don't think you need to spell it out for them. If they aren't sure what semi-formal means, they can google it.

I don't like the way you worded "child-free dinner and dancing" - like, you're not eating children? I think if you want to include this is should say "Adult reception with dinner and dancing to follow."

No.

Unless the venue actually HAS a dress code, you don't mention it.  If your uncle Mike isn't going to get kicked out for wearing jeans or not wearing a suit, don't mention it.  Uncle Mike can dress himself.

And you never mention who ISN'T invited, so "Adult Reception" is tacky.  If the reception is in the same location as the ceremony, you just say "Reception to Follow."  No need to mention who is or is not invited.  And no need to mention what the reception includes (i.e. dancing).

SP29

The only time I would say anything about attire is if part (or all) of the event was outdoors. But even then, I wouldn't tell your guests what to wear, just what the venue entails. For ex: "Our ceremony will be held outdoors on the lawn" not "Our ceremony will be held outdoors on the lawn, so please consider wearing flats ladies!". The second sentence implies your guests are stupid and don't know how to dress. Maybe some of the guests want to wear their stilettos anyway, or maybe they'll buy heel caps. 

We had access to an outdoor veranda all night (which was licensed) so we mentioned that on our wedding website. My husband wrote that part, and I think he had initially written, ".....so consider bringing a light jacket or shawl". I'm pretty sure I made him remove that part (though we still kept the veranda part so guests would know)- like no duh, the wedding is in January, people will bring coats! 

If guests aren't sure what to wear, they'll ask someone. You can then always say something like, "The groomsmen will be in suits/tuxes/khakis and shirt and the bridesmaids are wearing formal dresses/ cocktail dress/ pant suits".