Sparkles and Shoes

A Fashion, Travel, and Lifestyle Blog

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
  • My Style
    • Spring Style
    • Summer Style
    • Fall Style
    • Winter Style
  • Fashion
    • Really Love My …
    • Shop My Instagram
    • Style Icons
    • Trending
  • Travel
    • Africa
      • Egypt
      • Kenya
      • Morocco
      • Southern Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Indonesia
      • Qatar
      • Singapore
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Cyprus
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • England
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Scotland
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Vatican City
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Central America
      • St Lucia
      • US: East Coast
      • US: West Coast
    • South America
  • Favorites
    • Beauty
    • Delicious Eats
    • London
    • Sparkle Sessions
  • wedding
    • Engagement Story
    • Planning My Day
    • Wedding Inspo

Wedding Dress Code: Formal, Black-Tie Optional

10/07/20 | Fashion and Style, wedding, wedding planning

Charleston Wedding Weekend with the Bride
Charleston Postcards - Charleston Wedding in Jill Jill Stuart V Neck Gown in Viola

We are currently a bit more than half way through our trip to Italy and I hope you are all following along!  Though even though we are on holiday I did not want to leave you hanging on Sparkles and Shoes so I am sharing a bit more about one of the most requested topics – an update on our wedding!  Recently I had a friend over for dinner and she asked about wedding planning, a common question nowadays.  We got talking about where we are and when I mentioned the dress code for our wedding, her reaction was surprising.  Currently our wedding website says “Formal, Black Tie Optional” but apparently in England that means something different than it does in the United States.

Over the last eight years I have shared what I have worn to various black tie weddings , like this gorgeous purple dress I wore to my friend’s black tie wedding in Charleston, South Carolina.  Breaking it down, this dress code essentially means a long dress for the girls by default and a tux for the guys.   When planning our wedding we decide to add the formal bit bit because we do not want people to have to go our of their way to buy tuxedos, especially as we are having a destination wedding.   And what does that mean exactly?  I did a bit of an Internet deep dive and found this great diagram from Brides that perfectly describes what I am envisioning the dress code to be at our wedding: 

Wedding Dress Codes Explained Jessica Ola for Brides

Wedding Dress Codes Explained Jessica Ola for Brides

Overall, I want our guests to look fancy – it will be a fancy evening and you may recall for the last 10 years my cocktail parties have had a dress code so it will not come to a surprise to many that my wedding will have one as well.  I want people to look nice – I am definitely fine with variations, ladies can wear heels or flats, the Brits are more than welcome to wear hats (commons for the ladies), and guys can wear dark suits if they don’t have or want to wear a tux.  The  only thing I would not be a fan is any female showing up in a white gown.

What are your thoughts on a black-tie optional dress code? 

Signature

Subscribe

« Reporting Live From Italy
Glam in a Glitter Pleated Midi Skirt »

Related Posts

  • Style Icon Tara Gibson Jimmy Choos and Tennis Shoes 07Style Icon: Tara Gibson
  • Olivia Palermo at Nina Ricci in Merlot WineCurrently Trending: Merlot Wine
  • Tuesday Trend: Above the Knuckle Rings
  • Meredith Banzhoff_Studio Shot_SquareSparkle Session: Meredith Banzhoff

Comments

  1. Miki Esme┊Fashion Stylist says

    October 9, 2020 at 4:28 am

    Your photos are amazing dear! Love your pink dress, so cute on you!
    Thanks for sharing

    ♡————————————————————–♡
    Fashion┊Lifestyle┊Japan ― HappyEsme.com

  2. Bernadette says

    October 8, 2020 at 5:16 pm

    You and your girlfriend are gorgeous. I love both of the dresses and the color on you is superb.

    I will keep this dress code for my wedding and for other functions that hopefully will be returning to normal at some point.

    Keep them coming Kelly.

  3. Christa says

    October 7, 2020 at 7:27 pm

    I think black tie optional is great. Will get you the fancy wedding that you want while being realistic that the expense of renting a tux on top of travel expenses to get to a wedding can add up if one does not own a tux already.

    Can’t wait to see the photos from your wedding and what everyone will be wearing!

  4. Sarah says

    October 7, 2020 at 5:21 pm

    Never knew that there were so many categories. Thanks for the interpretation.

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog.  I am a New York City girl at heart but I moved to London in the Spring of 2018!

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

POPULAR POSTS

  • Manicure Ideas - Gradient Rainbow Mani 20 Ideas for Summer Nails
  • Lauren Kay Sims Everywhere Belt Bag The Everywhere Belt Bag
  • Black Long Sleeve Shirt with Cut Out Shoulders and Houndstooth Trousers Explore
  • White Lace for Evening with Kate Spade and David Yurman Summer White Dresses Under $100
  • Best UK Sparkling Water Options - Dash Black Current I am a Sparkling Water Addict

Susbscribe via E-mail

WHERE I SHOP

Amazon (US)

Amazon (UK)

Beauty Pie

Nordstrom 

Sephora

Wayfair



Archives

  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012

Fine Print

Sparkles and Shoes is a part of several affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links on this site or any related social media platforms (including Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest), I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase. All opinions are my own.

© Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes, 2012-2022 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Get the latest

Receive Sparkles and Shoes right to your inbox!

Connect with me

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2022 · Designed by High Note Designs, LLC

Copyright © 2022 · Tasteful Theme on Genesis Framework