[Gonewiththewind:...]

We are off to a wedding for a good friend of DH's next month. The invitation says "Black Tie", it is an afternoon wedding (church) and an evening reception.

What would you wear if it said "Black Tie". I was thinking a nice classy cocktail (knee length) dress for me and a suit with shirt/tie for DH?

He thinks it would need to be a black/tuxedo type suit (which he doesn't own so we would need to hire). I've asked him to ask the groom but he won't!

Do you think a nice formal suit (grey pinstripe or similar) with a shirt and tie is formal enough? We really aren't in the position to be forking out to hire a suit plus buy wedding gifts but if it is totally essential then we'll work it out.

This post has been edited by mtilly: 17/03/2012, 07:37 PM

[sandgropergirl]

Black tie generally means black tie for a bloke. Cocktail means good suit and tie

[futureself]

True 'Black tie' is indeed a tux for your DH and a floor length dress for you - knee length dresses are 'cocktail' or 'after 5'.

[Gonewiththewind:...]

True 'Black tie' is indeed a tux for your DH and a floor length dress for you - knee length dresses are 'cocktail' or 'after 5'.

See I thought this but I HIGHLY doubt there will be anyone there in floor length dresses so I thought a tux would be over the top in the context.

I might just ask the groom himself (assuming he has any idea!)

[Girlo]

To me, black tie is a dark suit with a black tie (normal or bow tie) and a floor length gown for women.

I don't think it has to be a tux, but a dark suit at the very least.

Enjoy!

[lamarque]

Black tie is black tie. I agree with your DH. I think you could get away with something less formal if you're famous though?

I wouldn't wear a cocktail style dress either. Black tie would mean a dress to the floor IMO.

I'd check with other guests and if your DH won't check, do it yourself!!

[melajoe]

Yeah, I'd be thinking a tux for a man and floor length dress for a woman.

Do they really mean 'black tie' though, or have they just said 'black tie' when they really mean 'formal'?

[LK1]

I would ask.
They might mean formal/like you are thinking, but you never know.

[canuckmel]

I'd be wearing a cocktail dress. I don't own a floor length dress and would not be willing to shell out all the money on one for a wedding.

[Gonewiththewind:...]

Do they really mean 'black tie' though, or have they just said 'black tie' when they really mean 'formal'?

See I thought this too.

We definately don't have the money to hire a tux AND buy me a new floor length dress I'd never wear again

Asking is difficult as I don't know the bride well (I do know her well enough to know she would never fuss over what we wore and so would probably just say to wear what we have/are comfortable in). It's more that I don't want DH/me to look silly. The only other guests I know well are DH's other friends (most of whom don't have wives). They are all DH's old school mates (who he sees every week still even many many years later, it's rather sweet really ) I might just ask all of them what they are wearing. I am fairly confident I wouldn't look out of place in a classy cocktail dress (I have one that has a black lace bodice and a black satin knee length skirt that I could wear with a little satin capped jacket and would look quite formal.

This post has been edited by mtilly: 17/03/2012, 07:51 PM