Invitation Wording - Black Tie Optional or Not

So, is anyone planning to write 'Black Tie' or 'Black Tie Optional' on their invites??

FH and I want to write Black Tie Optional so the entire family knows to come in a suit and nice dresses. We went to a FH's cousin's wedding upstate once and people showed up in jeans and ball caps. I would be so upset if someone came in jeans.

Well...my FMIL doesn't think we should write Black Tie Optional on the invites, because she doesn't think people would understand what that means. Who doesn't know what Black Tie Optional means??

IDK. What do you ladies think?

Invitation Wording - Black Tie Optional or Not

I know what you mean! I definitely understand what BLO mean. But you can write something like 'formal [or cocktail] attire required, black tie optional.' That may clarify and resonate with people better. That way they know at the very least they should dress formally or for a cocktail party.

Invitation Wording - Black Tie Optional or Not

And I think it really depends on your guest list whether to do Black Tie or not. If you think the majority of your guests already own a Tux or have the means to rent a tux then go for it, otherwise I wouldn't require black tie.

Re: Invitation Wording - Black Tie Optional or Not

i plan to do black tie optional as well for the same reasons...FH doesn't really want me to because he feels it makes it stuffy or requires a certain type of gift...but i really just want to denote this is a dressy affair..

Re: Invitation Wording - Black Tie Optional or Not

I'm skipping right over Black Tie 'optional' or 'invited' I'm just doing Black Tie. I'm not worried about people wearing Jeans but if you have or can rent a tux I want you in a tux. Can't force it but I can clearly encourage it!

Re: Invitation Wording - Black Tie Optional or Not

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Posted by Courtz

I'm skipping right over Black Tie 'optional' or 'invited' I'm just doing Black Tie. I'm not worried about people wearing Jeans but if you have or can rent a tux I want you in a tux. Can't force it but I can clearly encourage it!

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You may want to consider saying Black Tie Preferred. Technically, if you write only 'Black Tie' it insinuates Black Tie attire is required. Guest may decline based on this if they do not own or want a rent a tux / gown. If you add the preferred this will get your point accross but still allow others who do not own or can not rent to come to your event...Anyway just a thought :)

Re: Invitation Wording - Black Tie Optional or Not

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Posted by db276952

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Posted by Courtz

I'm skipping right over Black Tie 'optional' or 'invited' I'm just doing Black Tie. I'm not worried about people wearing Jeans but if you have or can rent a tux I want you in a tux. Can't force it but I can clearly encourage it!

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You may want to consider saying Black Tie Preferred. Technically, if you write only 'Black Tie' it insinuates Black Tie attire is required. Guest may decline based on this if they do not own or want a rent a tux / gown. If you add the preferred this will get your point accross but still allow others who do not own or can not rent to come to your event...Anyway just a thought :)

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I agree with this! Be careful about skipping the optional - some people would take this to mean gowns and full tuxes ONLY. There are a few different professional opinions of what 'black tie,' truly dictates. 'Black Tie Preferred' or even 'formal attire,' would still get your point across but take a little pressure off.

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Invitation Wording - Black Tie Optional or Not

My best friend wrote on hers 'The attire for the evening is Black Tie'. Nobody showed up in jeans or anything inappropriate (Unless you count your boobs hanging out inappropriate lol)

Re: Invitation Wording - Black Tie Optional or Not

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Posted by LisaReyes

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Posted by db276952

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Posted by Courtz

I'm skipping right over Black Tie 'optional' or 'invited' I'm just doing Black Tie. I'm not worried about people wearing Jeans but if you have or can rent a tux I want you in a tux. Can't force it but I can clearly encourage it!

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You may want to consider saying Black Tie Preferred. Technically, if you write only 'Black Tie' it insinuates Black Tie attire is required. Guest may decline based on this if they do not own or want a rent a tux / gown. If you add the preferred this will get your point accross but still allow others who do not own or can not rent to come to your event...Anyway just a thought :)

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I agree with this! Be careful about skipping the optional - some people would take this to mean gowns and full tuxes ONLY. There are a few different professional opinions of what 'black tie,' truly dictates. 'Black Tie Preferred' or even 'formal attire,' would still get your point across but take a little pressure off.

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You have to know who you are inviting and make the decision on your wording based on that.
My crowd I know I can say 'Black Tie'.
My FH and I just went to a Black Tie wedding (my cousin's). He didn't wear a tux, he had on a black suit, white shirt, black tie and a black vest. No one knew he didn't have a tux till weeks later when we were talking about how people were dressed and he told them he didn't have a tux on. 'Black Tie' will help me hopefully avoid men wearing a light colored suit or a dark suit and a pink shirt like they did at my cousins wedding which was either Black Tie 'Optional' or 'Invited'.