What's My Wedding Approach - Formal vs. Semi-Formal vs. Informal

A Formal Wedding:

• Includes a guest list of more than 200 guests
• Takes place in a house of worship or elegant hotel
• The bride and groom have between five & twelve attendants each
• The bride wears a cathedral length train & veil, bridesmaids wear floor length gowns, and the groom, attendants, and ushers wear formal dress attire including white tie & tails for evening events
• Guests may be encouraged to go “black tie”
• The wedding reception, usually held in a ballroom or gallery setting, includes an elaborate, multi-course, sit-down meal
• Entertainment may include numerous musicians and/or a live band
• Decorations & floral displays are sophisticated and intricate in detail

A Semi-Formal Wedding:

• Includes a guest list of more than 100 guests
• Takes place in a house of worship, elegant hotel, country club, or private estate
• The bride and groom have between three & six attendants each
• The bride wears a chapel length or sweeping train & veil, bridesmaids wear floor or cocktail length dress, and the groom, male attendants, and ushers wear dress attire including black tie for evening events
• The wedding reception, usually held in a ballroom, banquet facility, gallery setting, private club, or under a tent, includes a multi-course, sit-down meal or buffet food stations
• Entertainment may include a live band or disc jockey
• Decorations & floral displays are classic and refined in detail

An Informal Wedding:

• Includes a guest list of less than 100 guests
• Takes place in a house of worship, the reception location, gallery space, a private residence, or outside
• The bride and groom have between one & three attendants each
• The bride wears a floor length gown with a fingertip veil, bridesmaids wear cocktail length dresses, and the groom, male attendants, and ushers wear suits and ties.
• The wedding reception, usually held in a hotel, banquet facility, gallery setting, restaurant, or outside, includes either a simple meal, buffet, or light hors d’oervres & cocktails
• Entertainment may include a string quartet/trio, live band, disc jockey, ipod, or site-provided music
• Decorations & floral displays are natural and modest in detail