23/04/2026
ELEGANCE NOTES: Episode 4
The dress code: impose or suggest?
Couples often ask me: should we include a dress code for our wedding? The short answer is: suggest, don’t impose.
Guests rarely enjoy feeling instructed about what they must wear. Elegance is never about rigid rules, it’s about creating a shared atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable and appropriately dressed.
If you would like a certain aesthetic, a gentle suggestion works beautifully. Expressions like “garden elegance,” “cocktail attire,” or “summer chic” can guide guests without making them feel restricted.
There is also a small point of etiquette worth remembering: traditionally, dress codes should not be printed on the formal invitation. The invitation announces the wedding, it doesn’t dictate instructions.
If you’d like to give style guidance, it’s much more elegant to share it informally with guests or include it on your wedding website, where it feels like helpful information rather than a rule.
💡 A little tip:
In destination weddings, celebrations often last more than one day. The evening before the wedding usually includes a relaxed gathering, what Anglo-Saxon countries call the “rehearsal dinner,” though in Italy it often becomes a cheerful pizza party or informal dinner.
That’s actually the perfect moment to introduce a playful dress code: “all white,” “Mediterranean colors,” “linen & summer tones,” or any creative idea that helps guests feel part of the experience.
Because true elegance is not about control.
It’s about guided freedom, giving people just enough inspiration to feel perfectly at ease within the celebration. ✨
