46 THE QUEENS COURIER • BRIDAL • JUNE 21, 2018 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
bridal
DRESS CODE DOWNLOAD
White tie, black tie, formal, semiformal, dress casual, casual -- what does it all mean?
BY KRISTEN CASTILLO
Creators.com
Received a wedding invitation and
unsure about what to wear? You’re
not the only one. It’s challenging to
decipher the wedding dress code these
days.
White tie, black tie, beach formal,
dressy casual? What do all the terms
mean and do they mean the same
thing to everyone?
“The dress code is all dependent on
the couple and their personalities and
also on where the wedding/reception
is being held: under a tent, on a farm,
golf course, hotel, castle, etc.,” says
photographer Alice Bil, of studioEPIC
photography, who has attended and
covered more than 300 weddings as
both a guest and a photographer.
She says couples should specify
the dress code on the invitation and
guests should follow the protocol.
“When in doubt, you may want
to consider asking for more information,”
say sister designers Valerie
and Stephanie Chin of Val Stefani,
reminding guests not to directly ask
the bride or groom, who are busy.
Instead ask a member of the wedding
party or a family member, since
those individuals likely know the wedding
style.
Here’s what you need to know:
White Tie
Th is style is the most formal.
“Whip out your best stuff ... purchase or
rent it for the evening,” says Bil, explaining
guests should dress like they’re meeting
the president or the queen. “Th is is
going to be a big event.”
Men should wear formal tuxedos,
dress shoes and even gloves. Women are
expected to wear fl oor-length gowns, and
nothing too revealing. Consider getting
professional hair and makeup.
White-tie events are typically held at
government buildings, mansions and
hotels.
Black Tie
Treat black tie like a red-carpet event.
“Pretend you are going to the Oscars or
opera,” says Bil, who calls this her favorite
wedding style.
Guys should wear tuxedos. Women
should dress up in gowns, which can be
eye-catching and designer styles.
“As a guest invited to a black-tie wedding,
you should opt for a formal gown in
a neutral color,” say the Chins. “You can
also wear a chic cocktail dress or a long
evening gown.”
Still not sure what to wear? “When in
doubt, picture what would look appropriate
next to a tuxedo,” they say.
Black-tie weddings are oft en held at
large venues including high-end hotels
and art galleries.
Black-Tie Optional or Formal
“Pretend you are going to your prom
again,” says Bil, who says that formal is
the most popular wedding dress code. It’s
oft en seen at weddings held at banquet
halls and hotels.
Women wear dresses, including shorter
styles, if desired. Men don tuxes or dark
suits and dress shoes.
Semi-Formal
Th is style has a slightly laid-back vibe.
“Th e important part, again, is not to
aim too informal,” say the Chins. “And
this means jeans, no matter how nice, are
simply a no.”
Ties are optional for guys. Ladies typically
wear dresses.
“Clothes can be comfortable, but still
presentable,” says Bil, who generally sees
this style at smaller venues such as restaurant
receptions, bars and golf courses.
With semi-formal, the time of the wedding
dictates what to wear.
“If the ceremony and reception are later
in the evening then wear darker formal
hues for an evening aff air,” say the Chins,
who note a daytime wedding calls for
vibrant colors and light-weight fabrics.
Dress Casual
Th is style is seen at outdoor venues, as
well as aft ernoon weddings.
Guests can wear jeans if they want, but
dress them up with nice blazers and sharp
shoes.
Still keep Bil’s advice in mind: “Dress as
if you are going to meet the parents or go
on a nice date,” she says. “You still want
to look nice.”
Casual
“Anything goes, as long as you are comfortable,
but obviously presentable,” says
Bil, who explains with this dress code,
even shorts are OK as long as they’re
clean. Still it’s smart to study the wedding’s
environment when deciding how
to dress.
Casual attire is typically suited for outdoor
weddings, including boat weddings
and tented aff airs on a private property.
Beach Formal
Just because a wedding is at the beach
doesn’t necessarily mean it’s casual.
Dress up but remember the party
involves “sun, sand and water,” say the
Chins, who suggest women wear dressy
sundresses with shoes that are beachready,
such as dressy fl at sandals or espadrilles.
Men should wear lightweight
suits; ties are optional. No fl ip-fl ops!
Kristen Castillo is a three-time Emmy
Award-winning journalist. An editor and
writer for wedding magazines, she’s written
hundreds of wedding articles, as well
as an e-book, “Weddings on a Dime.”
Creators.com