Are you curious about what the black tie wedding dress code means? Or what are the expectations for the wedding if it’s black tie compared to other weddings?
We’ll discuss everything to expect with this dress code, not just with the wedding attire but also the venue, duration, time, and food served at a black tie party. You’ll even know how to throw a black tie wedding and how much this type of occasion will cost.
Everything To Know About A Black Tie Wedding
What does a black tie wedding mean?
A black tie wedding is a step up from the formal dress code. It’s not the most formal wedding since there are white-tie weddings, but black tie weddings are fancier than a typical formal wedding. If you received a wedding invitation with black tie as the dress code, you must wear the appropriate attire.
Men wear tuxedos, while women wear floor-length gowns. You can also expect a glamorous and elegant wedding venue, tasteful color schemes like black, white, with gold or silver accents, and fancy food at a black tie wedding.
The couple will also be in their most opulent ensemble for the black tie wedding. However, know that every wedding is different, and some people might mention black tie optional to give guests more leeway with their wedding attire.
To further understand this option, read what to wear to a black tie optional wedding.
What is the difference between black tie and formal weddings?
The best way to describe the difference between black tie and formal weddings is formal weddings have more flexibility with the formal outfit choices for the wedding attire. For example, black tie weddings are strictly formal, and a traditional couple might only accept tuxedos and evening gowns as guest outfits.
On the other hand, you can get away with something less grand but still considered formal in a formal wedding. This can mean men wearing a dark suit or dinner jacket than a tux or women wearing a shorter dress like a midi or cocktail instead of a floor-length gown.
Formal weddings can also be daytime events, while the glamorous affair of a black tie wedding is more suitable for the evening. Overall, the two differ in the strictness and level of sophistication with the dress code and general vibe of the occasion.
How much does a black tie wedding cost?
Expect a black tie wedding to cost more than a typical wedding because of the extravagant venue, opulent attire for the bride and groom, classy decorations, and elegant menu and drinks. According to data, the average cost of a wedding across the country is $20,300, so a black tie event may cost you twice or more.
Another factor that increases the costs of the black tie occasion is the number of guests. The bride and groom having a black-tie wedding are also likely to have many guests for their event.
Therefore, your expenses for the venue and food will also increase. Therefore, be mindful of your budget and plan everything to a tee.
How To Throw A Black Tie Wedding Stress Free
Book a suitable location for the black tie wedding
Black tie weddings are elegant affairs, so it’s essential to pick a venue perfect for the formal dress code. Imagine gorgeous ballrooms with chandeliers or a beautiful outdoor venue from a luxury hotel.
Furthermore, remember that the people attending the black tie wedding will wear an outfit that will be uncomfortable in some locations. Be mindful of the venue for the women’s long gowns and men’s potentially hot tuxedos.
Inform each guest of the black tie dress code
Remember to indicate in your wedding invitation the black tie dress code clearly. To help each wedding guest with what to wear, include outfit options for men and women.
You can also refer the guests to your wedding website to provide pictures of the ensemble you imagine they’ll wear. Finally, mention the colors that would suit the tone and theme of the black tie event.
Besides having a classy wedding venue, you’re also serving the guests an upscale wedding menu. It also makes up a significant portion of the total wedding budget, and for convenience, you can pick an event space that also caters or can recommend vendors for your black tie wedding.
However, a buffet might seem informal for a black-tie wedding, so a sit-down dinner is preferred. You’ll also be serving classy drinks and cocktails at a black tie wedding since it’s an evening event.
Do not overlook the black tie decorations.
Some wedding venues will be responsible for preparing and dressing up the area for a black-tie occasion. But if it’s not included, you’ll search for vendors for the chairs, tables, flowers, and details to capture the elegance of a black-tie event perfectly.
You can get custom draping and large flower arrangements inspired by galas. Don’t forget that lighting significantly affects the event’s tone, but you need to maintain a classy look, so using different light colors is unnecessary.
Go with a minimalistic theme for a chic and modern black tie wedding
When planning the decorations, wedding attire, wedding invitation, and anything related to the black tie wedding, you can never go wrong with a neutral color palette like white and black.
You can also include gold or silver details in the ceremony and reception venue to truly capture the upscale vibe of an elegant wedding. However, less is more, and you don’t need too many colors for your black tie palette, which might make it look tacky.
Aim for sophisticated wedding attire
Black tie weddings are known for the elegant and upscale ensemble of the couple and guests. So as the bride and groom, you should wear the perfect silhouette, colors, and accessories so that your own guests won’t overshadow you.
The groom should take the time to get a custom tuxedo, while the bride must find a flattering silhouette and style for her wedding gown. You should also plan the fitting outfit for your bridesmaids and groomsmen so everyone will look formal and fancy.
What Is The Venue For A Black-Tie Wedding?
The venue for a black tie wedding should be something elegant and formal. But, more so, you want to pick somewhere with a valet service for your guests.
You don’t want guests in very formal attire to walk for long periods. And because the decorations for formal weddings are typically large and the couple will likely have many guests, pick a spacious venue with high ceilings.
The most common black tie wedding venues include ballrooms and banquet halls, but the grandeur offered by museums and hotels also makes them a perfect choice for formal events. And, of course, you’ll have formal seating for everyone, so small wedding venues might be impractical for a black-tie occasion.
For couples with a budget and want a unique black tie ceremony, you can read how much does a wedding cost at the chateau. Having the wedding at a castle is only fitting for this grand wedding.
How Many Guests Should You Invite To A Black Tie Wedding?
Black tie weddings are usually grand events with more than 50 guests, depending on the couple. Compared to intimate weddings, black tie weddings are considered big ones, which makes sense as someone with this type of event surely has the budget to accommodate a large guest list.
However, every couple is different, and the bride and groom might want a black-tie wedding despite having few guests. Even with a black tie dress code, you can still have an intimate or micro ceremony or reception.
You should also be realistic with your wedding budget as the number of people you invite can make the expenses higher or lower. Here’s how many people should I invite to my wedding if you’re interested to know which guests to invite.
What’s The Best Time For A Black Tie Wedding?
The best time for a black tie wedding is between 5 and 7 pm because the formal occasion is more suitable as an evening event. How early can you have a black tie wedding?
The couple can do their ceremony around 2 pm, but make sure to finish around 6 pm. Remember that you’ll also do a cocktail hour before the reception or dinner.
You can then start the meal before 8 pm with the appetizers. And for everyone’s comfort and consideration, ensure the black tie wedding is finished around 11 pm.
What Type Of Food Will Be Served At A Black Tie Wedding?
Because the black tie wedding is formal and elegant, your wedding menu should also include upscale dishes and drinks. It’s also better to make a sit-down dinner as food trucks and buffets don’t suit the formal wedding.
A formal dinner is typically composed of an appetizer, entree, and dessert. Your staff will serve the same meals, but you can offer options at the wedding invitation, especially if some guests are allergic or can’t eat certain foods.
And, of course, you want elegant table set-ups for each guest for the formal event. Then, you can have an open bar with classy drinks that guests can enjoy at your black-tie wedding.
What Does The Groom Wear To A Black Tie Wedding?
The groom’s attire for a black tie wedding should be a typical tuxedo and never a suit or dinner jacket to match the formality of the dress code. You also want the best-fitting tuxedo to look dapper and crisp.
Keep in mind that the groom should wear the entire formal ensemble besides the jacket. This includes a dress shirt, formal pants with satin trim on the sides, a vest, suspenders, a bow tie, and Oxford shoes.
The groomsmen should also follow the black tie dress code and wear tuxedos. Here’s how much does a wedding cost to know your budget for your black tie outfit.
Can I Wear A Normal Suit To A Black Tie Event?
Tuxedos are non-negotiable for a black tie wedding, especially for guests. The only instance where a suit or dinner jacket can be an option is if the wedding invitation indicates a black tie optional dress code.
If this is the case, you still want to look formal and sophisticated, so you can never go wrong with dark colors for your outfit. But again, the emphasis is on wearing a tuxedo for a black tie wedding.
The satin on the jacket, pants, lapel, and waistband differentiates a tuxedo from a suit. You also want to wear a waistcoat, white spread collar shirt with cuffs, bow tie, and formal leather shoes.
Can You Wear Black To A Black Tie Wedding?
A black tie wedding dress code does not mean guests must wear only black attire. However, you can pick black and other dark colors because they’re formal and suitable for an evening wedding.
Men can wear classic black tuxedos and women in elegant black long gowns for a black tie wedding. However, it’s still best to check the wedding invitation as the couple might provide specific options on what to wear.
Some black tie weddings also use jewel tones and other deep hues as the theme for their wedding attire. You can read what to wear to a black tie wedding for more outfit ideas and accessories.
What Does The Bride Wear To A Black Tie Wedding?
Because the black tie wedding is an elegant and grandiose affair, it’s only fitting for brides to pick a dramatic wedding dress silhouette. You can wear a ball gown or a mermaid dress with stunning lace details and embellishments.
You can also pick a different color to stand out from everyone. For example, a dark red or green floor-length gown will surely turn heads.
Can You Wear A Short Dress To A Black-Tie Wedding?
It’s recommended not to wear anything short for a black tie wedding. However, floor-length dresses and gowns are encouraged for women as they’re more suitable for the evening.
However, there are black tie optional weddings where you can wear a classy cocktail dress or pantsuit. Just avoid picking something too loud that you’ll draw attention to yourself.
Conclusion
And that’s it! A quick recap of what black tie wedding means is it’s more formal than a typical formal wedding.
Guests are expected to wear long gowns and tuxedos, and the venue is typically somewhere grand and elegant. Because of the formality, black tie weddings often happen in the evening and the guest list is big compared to daytime and small weddings.