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Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | LulaKate
| DO: | DON’T: |
| Wear a floor-length gown or tuxedo | Upstage the bride or groom |
| Accessorize with your best jewelry | Wear casual shoes |
| Pay attention to hair and makeup | Skip the tie |
Dressy casual. Festive. Semi-formal. Tropical. White tie. Black tie. Black tie optional.
With so many wedding dress codes out there, it’s no wonder many of us have difficulty remembering what they all mean!
Don’t worry! We’re not about to overload your brain with the details of what every wedding dress code means.
Today, we’re talking about one, in particular, that appears on a lot of wedding invitations:
Black tie.
This is our ultimate guide to black tie wedding attire DOs and DON’Ts. We’ve also included gorgeous outfit ideas for wedding guests seeking the perfect look!
What Is a Black Tie Wedding?
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Nashville | Olivia B. Photography
The black tie dress code is a formal dress code. Traditionally, it means tuxedos and full-length gowns for an evening event — like you’re ready to walk the red carpet.
Black tie is:
- • Elegant or embellished evening gowns
- • Dress shoes polished to a high shine
- • Diamonds and pearls
- • Black bow ties and satin lapels on tuxedo dinner jackets
- • An updo instead of a ponytail
- • A trimmed beard instead of an unkempt one
Black tie is all of the things that most of us don’t have a reason to wear on a day-to-day basis.
So, to sum it up in one word, black tie means FANCY.
If the invitation says white tie, you must step it up even more. White tie is the most formal dress code (think top hats and tails). If it’s a black tie optional wedding, you have a bit more flexibility.
Black tie optional means the couple wants you to wear a tux or an evening gown. But you’ll still look appropriate if you wear a black, navy, or gray suit or choose a tea-length or midi dress instead of a floor-length gown.
Have you decided on a black tie wedding? Check out our collection of bridesmaid dresses available online to fit that classic black tie theme!
The DOs and DON’Ts of Black Tie Wedding Attire
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | David Abel
Fashion rules aren’t set in stone, and we champion embracing your own style and wearing what makes you look and feel your best. (That’s exactly why we’re so obsessed with burnt orange bridesmaid dresses!)
But for a black tie event, there are some overarching guidelines to keep in mind:
DO: Choose a Black Tux
When a wedding invite says “black tie,” it usually means that the wedding party will wear black tuxedos with white dress shirts, cummerbunds, and bow ties. It also means the couple-to-be wants you to follow suit (pun intended).
Invitations include dress codes so you know the event's level of formality. Choose a classic black tux for a black tie wedding, and you can’t go wrong!
DO: Choose a Long Dress
For a formal event, a full-length gown is the standard. Anything that hits above the knee would be a cocktail dress better suited for a slightly less formal event.
With that said, you can get away with a dress that doesn’t graze the floor, but to look appropriate for the formal occasion, go for calf-length or longer.
Social 8219 Dress
Social 8219 Dress
The Social 8219 dress in luxe charmeuse offers timeless sophistication in a bias cut silhouette with an open back, a scoop neckline, and gently ruffled shoulder straps.
Amsale P437S Evening Dress
Amsale P437S Evening Dress
If you prefer a soft, romantic look, the Amsale P437S Evening Dress is black tie perfection. In a flattering A-line silhouette, this evening gown features rich texture, a side slit, and a draped off-the-shoulder bodice.
DO: Opt for Embellishments
Black tie weddings are your chance to (literally) shine!
Sequins, beading, metallic brocades, sparkling jewels … go for it with all-out glitz and glamour!
By Watters Cider Dress
By Watters Cider Dress
An eye-catching brocade pattern adds texture and shine to the By Watters Cider Dress. The deep floral motif makes it a gorgeous option for any black tie event.
Mac Duggal 12231 Dress
Mac Duggal 12231 Dress
Another fabulous embellished option is the Mac Duggal 12231 dress. This long-sleeve, draped-shoulder gown features elegant beaded cuffs at each wrist.
DO: Consider the Time of the Event
Black tie events are usually held at night (hence the phrase “evening gown”). But it’s not unusual for couples to have a ceremony earlier in the day and host a black tie reception later at night.
If it’s feasible, wear two different looks.
Choose a ceremony look appropriate for a formal daytime event, then change into your black tie attire for the reception.
There are alternatives if changing looks between the ceremony and reception isn’t an option.
Opt for a black suit instead of a tux, a tailored/modern pantsuit instead of a gown, or a tea-length dress that works for day or night. A one-piece jumpsuit is also a stylish option!
DO: Accessorize With Jewelry
Accessorize and elevate your black tie outfit with your best jewelry. Whether that’s cufflinks on a dress shirt or an heirloom diamond necklace, this is the time to flaunt your best baubles and gems!
DO: Pay Attention to Your Hair and Makeup
There’s more to meeting the black tie dress code than wearing formal wedding attire. It also requires a polished hair and makeup look.
This rule applies to all wedding attendees.
From trimming your beard to getting a pedicure, you want to look polished and poised from head to toe. Like Jack Dawson when he joins Cal Hockley and the DeWitt Bukaters for that first dinner on the Titanic.
(Make it count, meet me at the clock.)
DON’T: Wear a Short Dress (Unless It’s Really Fancy!)
A black tie wedding might be the one occasion where a basic LBD won’t cut it. A dressy little black dress, however, can be appropriate.
If you want to wear a short dress, opt for a fancy one with an elegant look and feel. Make it even more special by adding your best jewelry and an incredible pair of shoes!
At most black tie affairs, the bride is the only person wearing a short dress. And that’s only if she does a mid-reception outfit change or changes into a less formal “getaway” dress to head to an after-party.
Check out our LWD collection. These are perfect for after-parties, late-night receptions, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, & more!
DON’T: Wear Casual Shoes
Dress shoes are a must for a black tie wedding. While pairing sneakers with a suit can be a cool, contemporary look, it’s best to stick to tradition in this department.
DON’T: Wear a Casual Watch
It’s better to skip the wristwatch altogether than wear the casual one you wear daily. If your favorite watch has a silicone band or a canvas strap, it’s best to leave it at home.
DON’T: Skip the Tie
Whether you wear a tux or a suit, don’t skip the tie. Also, don't forget to button your dress shirt all the way up and affix your tie properly, whether in a bowtie, Windsor knot, or Pratt knot.
DON’T: Wear Bright Colors
Traditionally, darker colors are more formal. Dark suits and tuxes — such as black, gray, navy, and burgundy — are classic choices, regardless of the season.
For fall wedding dresses, jewel tones are a sophisticated choice. Chiffon gowns in neutral tones are an elegant option for summer wedding dresses.
Amsale P520S Evening Dress
Amsale P520S Evening Dress
The Amsale P520S Evening Dress is black-tie-ready and available in over 30 colors. Choose from rich jewel tones, timeless neutrals, and classic autumnal hues.
Jenny Yoo Lennox Dress
Jenny Yoo Lennox Dress
In stretch velvet, the Jenny Yoo Lennox dress features a figure-flaunting fit-and-flare silhouette, a halter neck, and an exposed back. The rich velvet fabric makes it ideal for a fall or winter wedding.
DON’T: Upstage the Bride or Groom
Regardless of the dress code, the main rule for wedding attire is not to upstage the bride or groom. From the colors you choose to the silhouettes you wear, it’s important not to steal any attention away from the happy couple!
Dress your best, but don’t overdo it.
There’s no need to wear a ball gown that might rival the bride’s wedding dress or show up in a top hat and tails if the groom is wearing a classic tux. These options are appropriate for a white tie celebration but not necessary for a black tie celebration.
Related: What to Wear to a Wedding Welcome Party (For Brides, Grooms, and Guests)
Everyone at a black tie wedding should be in formal wear, from the couple-to-be to the wedding party to the guests. How you put your own spin on it or add your own personal style to the look is entirely up to you!
Want to see all of the wedding trends we’re obsessed with? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest!
