Confused about attire on website

abt87

Hi all, longtime lurker, minimal poster....

I wanted to get some ideas for an upcoming event I'm attending.  I'm refraining from posting too many details because of privacy, among other things.  We are attending the "reception" for a couple that got married privately a year ago (yes...I know).  On their website, for attire, they've listed "formal, semi-formal".  And also no jeans. WTF is this supposed to mean? The "reception" is in a lovely event center, w/ cocktail hour and a plated dinner. I hate to be stupid on this one, but a regular cocktail/summer dress (think Express or white house black market) w/ heels should be fine right????  Or do you think I'm going to need to dress it up a bit? Maybe they don't know what formal actually means? 

Thanks

redoryx

abt87 said:

Hi all, longtime lurker, minimal poster....

I wanted to get some ideas for an upcoming event I'm attending.  I'm refraining from posting too many details because of privacy, among other things.  We are attending the "reception" for a couple that got married privately a year ago (yes...I know).  On their website, for attire, they've listed "formal, semi-formal".  And also no jeans. WTF is this supposed to mean? The "reception" is in a lovely event center, w/ cocktail hour and a plated dinner. I hate to be stupid on this one, but a regular cocktail/summer dress (think Express or white house black market) w/ heels should be fine right????  Or do you think I'm going to need to dress it up a bit? Maybe they don't know what formal actually means? 

Thanks

I'm pretty sure this is exactly what this means. 

I'd just wear a cocktail dress with heels. 

mikenberger

Well, they're assholes for multiple reasons.

But I would wear a regular cocktail or summer dress with heels. Better to be dressed up than dressed down. Formal/semi-formal is not a dress code. So you are correct that they have no idea what they're talking about

SP29

Yeah, that's weird, and a contradiction.

(Also why lurkers, you shouldn't tell your guests how to dress. You think it's helpful but you end up making your guests more confused).

I think a cocktail dress would be just fine based on the location. 

TrixieJess

abt87 said:

Hi all, longtime lurker, minimal poster....

I wanted to get some ideas for an upcoming event I'm attending.  I'm refraining from posting too many details because of privacy, among other things.  We are attending the "reception" for a couple that got married privately a year ago (yes...I know).  On their website, for attire, they've listed "formal, semi-formal".  And also no jeans. WTF is this supposed to mean? The "reception" is in a lovely event center, w/ cocktail hour and a plated dinner. I hate to be stupid on this one, but a regular cocktail/summer dress (think Express or white house black market) w/ heels should be fine right????  Or do you think I'm going to need to dress it up a bit? Maybe they don't know what formal actually means? 

Thanks

It means that they are complete idiots who want to dictate what other people wear. I say, google Canadian Tuxedo, and go in that Otherwise it sounds like you are an adult who wears clothes on a regular basis and knows how to dress yourself. Wear something that is comfortable and looks fabulous on you. 

theartistformerlyknownas

Sounds like they're super rude and you will be fine in standard wedding attire cocktail dress.

PrettyGirlLost

Whee what ever the fuck you want to and feel would be appropriate. . . because this couple has no business dictating attire to anyone, let alone for a PPD.

mikenberger

Please wear the canadian tuxedo. I implore you.

banana468

I think they just decided to string words together to make them sound better.   How about formal/semiformal/rustic equestrian chic?

I'd go with a cocktail dress and heels.   

abt87

Haha thanks for confirming what I was thinking. This whole event is confusing to me. Now shall I buy them a gift off their registry???!!! ;-) ;-) ;-)


(To be clear we got them a wedding gift last year, I was just being snarky)