How to word an invite so people will know it鈥檚 formal attire?

I am getting married in a courthouse but we are going to have a reception a week later and I don鈥檛 want people to think because we did they can just come in jeans and t-shirts.


So far our invitation says...


Come join James and Jeanna's


Just Married celebration.


date


time


place
How to word an invite so people will know it鈥檚 formal attire?
white tie means that its very formal


and black tie means that its semi formal. just meaning that you are required to dress nicely leaving the jeans and sweatshirts, and baseball caps at home.while white tie is like ball gown attire. you could write your invitation up as:


come celebrate the union of


james ( last name)


and jeanna ( last name)


( with your weddding date, reception party to be held;( with date)





time


place


r.s.v.p ( the date by )


white or black tie required.





( that doesnt mean wear a black or white tie, but when they call to r.s.v.p they can ask. make sure to enclude your phone number even if they already have it. hopefuly that made sence. good luck and congrats!
Reply:Be up front about it and not coy





"Formal Attire, please"
Reply:Depending on your friends, you may have to spell it out. To me, "Formal" means I have to go rent a tux, but I'm an old fart of 38. I have young friend that think a tie is "formal."





Joe
Reply:One wedding invitation I received said at the bottom: Black tie affair. I thought that was nicely said, and it got the message across.
Reply:Just be honest.





After all the other invitation info, just put:





'Dress Code: formal'





Over here in the UK, being explicit about the dress code to an event is quite the norm, and not seen as bad ettiquette. If anything it is bad ettiquette not to inform guests of the dress code as this may mean that they may turn up in the wrong outfit, and be embarrassed, which reflects badly on you as the host.
Reply:You want to do black tie for your reception? Or Sunday best? One of the best ways to let guests in on the fact that the wedding is formal is with the invitations. Get ultra-formal, traditional ones -- on white, ivory, or ecru paper, with the wording done in black script, maybe even with a gold or silver border -- and that should do the trick. Give your guests the benefit of the doubt, too -- if they receive a formal invite from you and read where your wedding is being held, you can probably trust them to dress appropriately.
Reply:Say so on the invite. It is perfectly acceptable to say:





reception following, formal attire required.
first name