Your wedding is NOT black tie if. . .

MGP · February 2014

So @grumbledore 's extremely accurate comment that 95% of all weddings don't come close to qualifying for black tie got me thinking. There has been a very helpful list of what qualifies for black tie going around, let's make a list of what disqualifies.

(this is meant to be somewhat tongue in cheek and humorous, but I truly believe all of these things and more cannot happen at a true black tie event)

Your guests pay for parking.

Your reception is at a 3 star or lower hotel (quite possibly even 4 star in some areas).

The wine you are serving can be sold in box format.

What else would you add to the list?

Cookie Pusher · February 2014

Cash bar!

happywiggle · February 2014

Servers don't wear white gloves? I think I heard that, along with ordering table side. I could be wrong though..

misshart00 · February 2014

If it is before 6pm.

Blue_Bird · February 2014

There's a buffet.

Mandafly84 · February 2014

Your invitations are VistaPrint freebies

cookie0803 · February 2014

Any of your stationary uses Comic Sans.

NYCBruin · February 2014

You don't have top shelf liquor (that the HOST) pays for.

JCbride2015 · February 2014

Your tablecloths are burlap. :-P

hikebikebemerry · February 2014

I'm just curious... For a black tie wedding; would the ceremony or the cocktail hour/ reception have to start at 6 p.m. or later?

misshart00 · February 2014

hikebikebemerry said:

I'm just curious... For a black tie wedding; would the ceremony or the cocktail hour/ reception have to start at 6 p.m. or later?

I believe the whole thing would have to start after 6.

lyndausvi · February 2014

if you don't have live entertainment

mimiphin · February 2014

If you write "Your Presents is enough present for us" / "Please no Gifts", or list your honeymoon fund on your invite/website.
Your wedding is located next to/near a barn or any livestock.
You have to find your own parking
Paper Napkins
I would even go as far as to say that there isn't an attendant in the bathroom.

Cookie Pusher · February 2014

You don't offer a multi-course meal.

Male WP isn't in tuxes (or the equivalent military/cultural dress). You can't expect everyone else to wear tuxes if you won't!

And no matter what anyone says, I can't consider any wedding black tie if anyone in the WP is wearing leather clothing (other than shoes, of course). Just... no.

SammiNJonni · February 2014

If you do not have valet parking. If you do not have a 5 course plated meal. If you do not have a band and back up DJ or performer while the band takes a break. If you do not have top shelf liquor (paid for by host of course)

ETA: main course must be dual entree or table side ordering.

LDay2014 · February 2014

If you have to write 'Black Tie Optional'

cookie0803 · February 2014

Cookie Pusher said:
You don't offer a multi-course meal.
Male WP isn't in tuxes (or the equivalent military/cultural dress). You can't expect everyone else to wear tuxes if you won't!

And no matter what anyone says, I can't consider any wedding black tie if anyone in the WP is wearing leather clothing (other than shoes, of course). Just... no.

Never?

Kauris · February 2014

cookie0803 said:

You don't offer a multi-course meal.
Male WP isn't in tuxes (or the equivalent military/cultural dress). You can't expect everyone else to wear tuxes if you won't!

And no matter what anyone says, I can't consider any wedding black tie if anyone in the WP is wearing leather clothing (other than shoes, of course). Just... no.
Never?

No. Un uh.

LDay2014 · February 2014

cookie0803 said:

You don't offer a multi-course meal.
Male WP isn't in tuxes (or the equivalent military/cultural dress). You can't expect everyone else to wear tuxes if you won't!

And no matter what anyone says, I can't consider any wedding black tie if anyone in the WP is wearing leather clothing (other than shoes, of course). Just... no.
Never?

*puts away black BDSM rope*

I guess it isn't black "tie" enough...

CMGragain · February 2014

Historically, black tie wasn't even permitted at weddings until the 1950s! It was considered to be too casual for formal weddings. White tie and tails was the proper men's evening formal wear.
Oh, yes! It is called black tie - not pink tie and matching vests, or baby blue tie. BLACK TIE!

nebullama · February 2014

mimiphin said:
If you write "Your Presents is enough present for us" / "Please no Gifts", or list your honeymoon fund on your invite/website.
Your wedding is located next to/near a barn or any livestock.
You have to find your own parking
Paper Napkins
I would even go as far as to say that there isn't an attendant in the bathroom.

Funny you should mention "no gifts" because a coworker of mine just got invited to this super swanky wedding. The invitation suite came in a fancy padded box w/ gold foil stamping on all of the many inserts. It appears that they have all the black tie trappings, plus they're paying for their guests' accommodations in a five star hotel, and providing a tour of Santa Barbara. However, they utterly failed by stating "no gifts" on the invite.

I'll add to the list by throwing in: If any of your food is served on a bun.

rajahmd · February 2014

If your cake is not made by a gourmet professional.

If any of your vendors are friends/family who are not professionals.

If the meal is potluck.

NYCBruin · February 2014

You or any attendants are not wearing floor length gowns.

Ditto for the groom and his attendants being in tuxes.

It's sad that this one has to be said, but it has come up on here.

banana468 · February 2014

If you have a basket of flip flops anywhere at your reception, it's not a black tie event.

If the beer is served to your guests in bottles, it's not a black tie event. That doesn't mean your wedding can't be a blast though. This is one of my favorite photos of our dads from the big day:

MGP · February 2014

Awesome! A few more I thought of:

If your MC is an iPod.

If your invitations have taken a trip through your home printer.

If you have to carry your dinner plate to the table.

If you have mason jars as part of your decor.

CMGragain · February 2014

If you used sticky labels (ick!) to address your invitations.

banana468 · February 2014

MGP said:

Awesome! A few more I thought of:

If your MC is an iPod.
If your invitations have taken a trip through your home printer.
If you have to carry your dinner plate to the table.
If you have mason jars as part of your decor.

If you have mason jars as your drinking glasses!

Cookie Pusher · February 2014

If there is camo anywhere!

APDSS22 · February 2014

Cookie Pusher said:

If there is camo anywhere!

Except maybe the best man's lucky underwear. While the bride and groom do get to choose the bridal party attire, I don't think they can tell him not to wear his lucky undies.

If you use the phrase "charming rustic" to describe anything other than a building across the street from the venue.

If you have an outdoor bathroom facility.

If you write "pants are required" anywhere on any wedding communications.

JCbride2015 · February 2014

Cookie Pusher said:

If there is camo anywhere!

But Cookie! This wedding is my inspiration! You mean I can't write "black tie" on all my camo invitations????

http://kaseysmithsweddings.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-wedding-based-theme-of-camouflage.html

CMGragain · February 2014

Wait! What? Your groom wore underwear?

Your wedding is NOT black tie if. . .

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