Providing a dress code for your guests is not only polite, but it also helps to set the mood for the event – not to mention reducing the stress on your guests.
Setting a dress code gives your guests more scope for choosing their outfits and avoids the extreme interpretations that may result.  Do you want somebody in a tuxedo standing next to the guy in a polo shirt in your wedding photographs?

Other important reasons to include a dress code:

• If your wedding or reception venue has a dress policy. You don’t want your guests unable attend because of their collar!
• If you are having a religious or cultural ceremony that specifies a particular dress code in order to attend. For example, if the men need to wear a yarmulke, or women to wear a veil, sari or burqa. 

Some definitions of common dress codes include:

Black tie

The Black Tie dress code is usually reserved for weddings held after 4.30pm.
Men: Black dinner jacket/suit or tuxedo, white shirt, black bow tie, black socks and black shoes.  A white tuxedo jacket may also be worn with black pants.
Women: Formal evening gown or cocktail dress, either long or short.

Cocktail

Cocktail dress applies for events after 5.00pm.
Men:  Dark suit with a tie
Women: Knee length (or above) dress, with beautiful jewellery.

Informal

Usually reserved for casual weddings at a home, in a park or at the beach.
Men:  Blazer or tailored sports jacket with tailored trousers.  Jeans are acceptable.
Women:  A nice dress as you would wear to a restaurant.

Lounge Suit

A very popular choice for weddings held before 5pm.
Men: Dark suit (including jacket), white shirt, black socks and shoes, tie optional.
Women:  Dress or smart suit.  Cocktail dresses are also acceptable if the wedding is held in the early evening.

Morning Suit

This is a formal version of a daytime wedding.  Only appropriate for weddings held before 4.30pm.
Men: Black or grey suit with a white shirt.  Can also include top hat and tails.
Women: Formal daytime dress with a hat.

Smart Casual

Smart casual is a very popular choice for informal weddings.  It allows guests to show a bit more personality in their attire.
Men:  Trousers and collared shirt.  Jacket and tie are optional.  Colour is encouraged.  Denim is not acceptable.
Women:  Smart dress, trousers or skirt with a pretty top.  Flat shoes are also acceptable.

White Tie

A glamorous version of a formal event held after 6pm.
Men:  Full black tail coat and back trousers, white shirt , white waistcoat and white bowtie.
Women: Full length evening dress or ball gown.

Other dress codes to consider

Garden party: Think colours, hats and flowers.
Bare foot black tie:  Great for beach weddings.
Black tie optional:  Lets your guests know black tie is preferred, but something equally smart would be acceptable.
Themes:  If you want your guests to wear specific colours, or to a special theme, let them know here. 

Tips:

• If the venue does have a strict dress policy.  Have a member of the bridal party bring along spare jackets/ties in the event that somebody doesn’t comply.
• Inevitably, somebody will ignore the dress code.  Often this isn’t out of defiance, more of a lack of understanding.  Try not to be offended and focus on enjoying your day.