The good news? There’s a smarter way to do this, and it has nothing to do with writing “Black Tie Optional” on your invitation and hoping for the best.
Why Traditional Wedding Dress Codes Are Too Vague
Traditional dress codes like “Formal,” “Semi-Formal,” and “Cocktail Attire” leave too much room for interpretation. One guest’s “semi-formal” is another guest’s Tuesday office look. Couples planning in 2025 and 2026 are moving away from these vague labels and toward something far more useful: a guest style guide.
Think of it less as a dress code and more as a mood board with words. You’re not telling guests what to wear. You’re helping them see your vision so they can show up feeling like part of it.
We love this approach because it respects your guests’ individuality while still keeping your wedding photos cohesive. And when it’s done well, guests actually appreciate the direction. Nobody wants to underdress for a black tie affair or show up to a garden party in a sequined gown.
Photo courtesy: Courtney Linden Photography
The Guest Style Guide: A Better Alternative to a Dress Code
Here’s what we’re seeing work really well right now. Instead of a single dress code label, couples are using their wedding website to share a short aesthetic description, a color palette, and a few visual references. Some couples call it a “dress code.” Some call it a “style guide.” Others just fold it into their venue and vibe section naturally.
Whatever you call it, the goal is the same: give guests enough context to feel confident in what they choose without feeling like they’re following a rulebook.
3 Popular 2026 Wedding Dress Codes (And How to Describe Them)
1. Garden Party Whimsical
What it looks like: Flowy floral midi dresses, linen blazers, pastel suits, block-heeled sandals, and soft color palettes. Think florals, blush, sage, soft yellows, and white (with the obvious exception of the bride).
How to write it on your website: “We’d love for you to dress in the spirit of an English garden party. Think florals, soft colors, and comfortable elegance. Heels on grass can be tricky, so block heels or dressy flats are encouraged.”
Why it works: It’s specific, it’s practical (the heel note saves someone’s day), and it paints a picture without being restrictive.
Photo courtesy: Courtney Linden Photography
2. Coastal Black Tie
What it looks like: Full-length gowns and tuxedos with a relaxed, sun-bleached luxury feel. Navy, ivory, champagne, and sand tones. Linen suits absolutely welcome. Formal in silhouette, effortless in feel.
How to write it on your website: “Our venue sits right on the water, and we want the dress code to reflect that. Black tie with a coastal edge: think navy and champagne, long gowns, and tuxedos with an easy, summer feel. Linen suits are more than welcome.”
Why it works: It elevates the standard black tie direction with a setting reference, which makes it feel intentional rather than stuffy.
Photo courtesy: Stone Weddings
3. Moody Romantic Formal
What it looks like: Jewel tones, deep burgundies, plum, forest green, and rich navy. Velvet, satin, and structured silhouettes. Think candlelit dinner party energy: elevated, warm, and a little dramatic.
How to write it on your website: “We’re going for a moody, romantic atmosphere. Think jewel tones, velvet, and rich textures. Formal attire in deep, saturated colors will feel right at home. We’d love for the aesthetic to feel like an evening at a candlelit estate.”
Why it works: Giving guests a setting reference (“candlelit estate”) does more work than any dress code label ever could.
Photo courtesy: Meg Laffey Photo
How to Communicate Your Wedding Dress Code Without Sounding Demanding
This is the part couples stress about most, and honestly, it doesn’t need to be complicated. Here are the practical ways we recommend sharing your style guide:
Your invitation suite should carry the dress code label. Keep it short here:”Garden Party Attire” or “Black Tie” is enough. Let your website do the explaining. One thing we love recommending: add a small QR code on the invitation that links to a Pinterest board you’ve curated for guest attire inspiration. It takes up minimal space on the paper, and guests can scroll through real outfit examples in seconds. Far more effective than trying to describe “coastal black tie” in two words.
Your wedding website is the best place to go into detail. Dedicate a short section to it and include actual photos — a color palette, a mood board, or saved outfit examples. Visualization does more work than description ever could. Guests can read “soft, romantic florals” ten different ways, but one image makes it immediately clear. You can also note any practical details about the venue (outdoor grass, cobblestones, etc.) that affect footwear choices.
A direct note to your wedding party is worth doing separately. They’ll be in photos all day, and aligning their looks with the overall palette takes more conversation than a website blurb.
One thing we always remind couples: guests want to get it right. They’re not looking for an excuse to wear whatever they want. They want to feel appropriate and celebrate with you. A clear, friendly description is always welcome.
For more on managing guest experience details, our post on how to make guests feel more comfortable at your wedding covers some of our favorite practical touches.
How to Handle Wedding Guest Color Coordination
You don’t have to assign colors, and we’d actually advise against it unless you have a very small guest count and a very specific reason. What you can do is share the palette you’re building around (florals, linens, stationery) and let guests take inspiration from it.
If there are colors you’d prefer guests avoid, like all white or a very specific shade that only your bridesmaids will wear, it’s completely acceptable to name those explicitly. A simple note like “We ask that guests avoid white and ivory” is direct without being demanding.
Photo courtesy: Fairfoxes
Wedding Dress Code Details Couples Often Overlook
A few things we walk through with every Moore & Co couple when finalizing their wedding aesthetic:
- Venue terrain matters. If your ceremony is outdoors on grass or gravel, say so. Guests will thank you.
- Time of day matters. A 5pm ceremony calls for different dress than an 11am brunch reception.
- Season matters. Maryland summers are humid and Maryland winters are cold, so factor that into what you suggest for guests.
- Your wedding party sets the tone. Whatever your bridesmaids and groomsmen are wearing will visually anchor what guests reach for.
If you’re still working through your overall wedding vision, our guide on how to create your wedding vision is a good starting point before you land on a dress code direction.
Plan Your Maryland Wedding With Moore & Co Events
Your dress code is one small piece of a much larger aesthetic picture, and it’s one of the details that tends to fall through the cracks until it’s almost too late. At Moore & Co, we build this into the planning process early so nothing gets overlooked.
If you’re planning a wedding in Maryland and want a team that handles the details (including the ones your guests will notice), we’d love to connect. Whether you’re just getting started or deep in the planning process, we’re here to help you pull everything together.
And if you’re still figuring out the basics after getting engaged, our post on just getting engaged — 10 things to do first is a great place to start.
Photo courtesy: Sarah Murray Photo