Yet another dilemma in the life of me...

Sarah_1986

So while at my sisters wedding this past June most of our family save myself and a couple aunts were dressed in the most awful clothes. I'm not talking tacky or ugly clothes I'm talking ripped jeans, sneakers and hooded sweatshirts. My sister and myself were pretty horrified at what they thought was acceptable wedding attire.

My wedding is not "black tie" but I would like people to dress like they are going to a wedding and not a backyard bonfire. How to I get this out without making people mad?

courtney607

Hi there, I feel the SAME way. A friend of my fiance's wrote on her invitations, "cocktail attire." I'm throwing that idea around as well. It doesn't confine people to black tie formal, but it does send out the message not to wear jeans. Good luck!

Sarah_1986

That is a good Idea, one of my bms also suggested putting "semi formal" as well.

MiniMin20

I think it can be a little tricky to put attire on the actual invitation, but in your case it's probably a good idea, since you know your family has a tendancy to underdress. Maybe put it on a separate insert on the invitation? I'd also suggest putting it on your wedding website, and telling your parents or another family member to spread the word when people ask what cocktail or semi-formal attire means.

My FI and I always joke that dressing up in Maine for a lot of people means wearing black jeans and your good Bean boots, haha.