If you’ve decided that you want your big
day to be a more formal event, then black-tie is the way to achieve this.
Having your wedding labelled as a black-tie event lets all of your guests know
what to expect and it means that you can really pull out all the stops. We’re
talking white glove service, a formal dinner, the whole shebang. After all, it’s
your day, so if you want one night where everyone gets really fancy, then now is
the time to do it. Knowing where to start with a formal wedding is more difficult,
so here are a few tips for organising your black-tie big day.
Be Sure
Before you decide on black-tie, you have to
be sure that it’s right for you. Don’t be pressured by your parents or in-laws’
expectations of the day. You need to make sure that you are both comfortable with it, and that
dressing up fancy suits your personalities. If you aren’t normally the type
that goes all out for an event, then you’re going to leave your guests confused.
Your wedding should still feel like you, no matter how you dress on the day,
and if black-tie really isn’t your vibe, then there’s no point in trying to
force it.
Make it Clear
When you send your invites out – or even
when you send your save the dates, you need to make it absolutely clear that
black-tie is what you want. Don’t word in vaguely either, as guests tend to interpret
instructions the way that they want to. If you don’t mind if people wear a suit
or tux, write ‘black-tie optional’. If you want to make sure that everyone
dresses to impress, you’ll need to go with a simple ‘the dress code is black-tie’.
Of course, you might get a few people who ignore this, but you’re unlikely to
get anyone breaking the rules in a big way.
Let Your Venue Shine
If you are having a black-tie wedding, then
it goes without saying that your venue is going to be somewhere special. If it’s
a grand building, then let the architecture and décor speak for itself, and use
it as a guide when it comes to anything that you want to add. In general, these
venues will provide some beautiful tableware and you should take full advantage
of this. After all, the management know how to show off the venue in the best
way possible. Consider going for a historic site such as one of the livery venues
for hire in London. Some portions of these buildings date back to the 13th
century and they really are as grand as it gets. They are also used to holding
formal dinners, so a black-tie wedding won’t be an issue.
Think Food
If you had your heart set on a buffet dinner
at your wedding, then a black-tie event isn’t for you. Guests will expect a
certain amount of formality and that will need to be in the form of a seated
plated dinner of at least three courses. Take care when choosing your menu as
well. Consider giving your guests an option to choose from for their meal. This
will add to the sense of class and sophistication that’s brought to the dinner.
Having some canapés either after the ceremony or later on at night will be a
great added touch, and of course a certain amount of wine and champagne should be
provided.
Consider Budget
It’s definitely a myth that black-tie
equals breaking the bank, it can still be done on a budget. That being said, if
you are looking to add certain extras to the day, and you want the formal meal,
it will add up to a healthy amount. Traditionally, black tie events have at least
100 people in attendance which will add a lot to the cost as well. However, you
don’t have to do much more than that in order for your wedding to fit black-tie
requirements. Ultimately, it’s about the dress code, so while a certain amount
of luxury will be expected, you don’t need to be rich and famous to afford it. Making
a budget before you plan any event is a must, and a black-tie wedding is no
exception.
Add Sophistication
Black-tie is classy, there’s no other way
to describe it. Because of this, you’ll have to carefully consider your décor in
order to fit with what your guests will be wearing. Think neutral colours and a
pared-back look. With all of the gents in black and white, this gives everyone a
wonderfully uniform look, and you’ll want things like your table linens and menu
cards to reflect this look as well. When choosing décor, you’re thinking about
minimalism and sophistication at all times. This should also, of course, fit it
with the style of your venue. You should take all of your design cues from it.
When Black-Tie Isn’t Appropriate
Black-tie is suitable for almost every wedding.
As we’ve mentioned, you don’t need a huge budget for it, and it’s more about
the dress code than spending lots of money. Yet there are times when a
black-tie wedding just isn’t going to work out. One of these times is if you are
having a destination wedding. Too much sun and humidity, plus sand, just won’t
be comfortable for anyone involved. While it might look great in photographs,
your guests are going to be overheated and miserable.
Your wedding day is always going to be
amazing, simply because it’s your day. Having a black-tie event is a great way
to bring in a certain level of sophistication to proceedings and let’s face it,
black-tie looks amazing in photographs. The best tips for this type of wedding
is to not go overboard, add a bit of luxury, but still keep to the chic
minimalism that black and white naturally brings alongside it.
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