STANDARD RULES FOR FORMALITY ETIQUETTE

Formalities do Not Have To Be Strictly By-The-Rules. On The Other Hand, If You Plan To Be strict, the following chart will be a handy guide.

Very Formal
A very formal wedding will more likely take place in a church, synagogue or prestigious hotel than in a garden or local beach. This is usually for two hundred or more guests and can take place in the afternoon or after six o'clock p.m. for an evening wedding. Some characteristics of a very formal wedding would include: engraved invitations; semi-formal dress for guests and vendors with formal attire for the wedding party (including a long train and veil and full bouquet for the bride); a sit-down dinner or festive buffet with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres; dancing to a professional disc jockey, dance band, orchestra or combination of both; elaborate decorations including floral centerpieces; a large wedding party (four to twelve bridesmaids); and formal photographer and videographer with set-up shots, candid interviews, as well as candids. A very formal wedding is generally the most expensive option available to you.

Formal
The ceremony could be held in a church, synagogue, hotel, a home, garden, beach, or one of the many sites suggested here Recommended Wedding & Ceremony Locations which includes site selections such as a historic building, clubhouse or yacht. Traditionally, a formal wedding is for one hundred guests or more. A formal wedding would include: formal invitations; a bridal gown but less formal attire for attendants; a meal (but perhaps a luncheon or simple buffet) with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres; dancing to a professional disc jockey, dance band, or combination of both; floral arrangements in a church or at the head table; a medium-sized wedding party (two to six bridesmaids); and professional photography and or videographer.

Semi-Formal
Locations for semi-formal wedding can be more varied and a single location for ceremony and reception is more common for a semi-formal wedding. This style of wedding would include one hundred or less guests. Invitations can be simple, without inserts and return cards; dress is less formal, with the bride perhaps wearing a less elaborate dress (floor length or shorter); food may be in the form of a simple buffet; dancing to a professional disc jockey, dance band, or combination of both, simple decorations, a smaller wedding party (one or two bridesmaids) and mostly candid photography with a few setup shots.

Casual or Informal
Locations are unlimited. Guests can be limited to family members and very close friends. Invitations could be as simple as a phone call or personal invitation; dress is casual with the bride wearing a street length dress or suit; food might be limited to cake with punch or champagne or perhaps cocktails and hors d'oeuvres; entertainment is optional but the majority use a professional disc jockey; decorations are optional; the wedding party may consist of a maid or matron of honor and best man only; and a personal friend may be responsible for capturing the event with a camera. An informal or casual wedding is probably the least expensive wedding option.

Check out the possibilities!
Make your wedding uniquely fit the two of you. If none of the above are just right, consider these ideas and keep on imagining until you are both happy with the plan. It's YOUR wedding, make it as special as the two of you. Guidelines to formality are not written in stone, and many wedding traditions are challenged regularly. On the other hand, the majority of my clients utilize and create a mixed selection of the standard rules for etiquette.

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