When you're reading a bridal magazine, it's easy to get swept up in the images of elegant black tie weddings at cathedrals and posh hotels. But don't let yourself fall into the trap of thinking "the bigger, the better." Fancy is fine, but your wedding should be a reflection of your personality. So although you may be eager to view banquet halls and try on wedding gowns, determining your wedding style now will be time well spent. Also, by knowing what very formal, formal, semi-formal and informal mean to the pros in the wedding business, you'll be able to communicate better with your service providers.

Very Formal
Typically held in a house of worship or luxury hotel
Two hundred or more guests
Engraved invitations with traditional typeface and wording
Bride and groom each have between four and twelve attendants
Bride wears a gown with a cathedral-length train and veil
Bridesmaids wear floor-length dresses or gowns
Groom and male attendants and guests wear formal attire (white tie and coattails for evening)
Elaborate sit-down dinner, usually held in a ballroom
Orchestra or live band
Cascade bouquets and elaborate floral displays
Limousines or antique cars

Formal
Typically held in a house of worship or luxury hotel
One hundred or more guests
Engraved or printed invitations with traditional wording
Bride and groom each have between three and six attendants
Bride wears a gown with a chapel-length or sweeping train and veil
Bridesmaids wear floor-length dresses or gowns
Groom and male attendants and guests wear formal attire (black tie for evening)
Sit-down dinner or buffet, usually held in a ballroom, banquet facility, or private club
Live band or disc jockey
Medium-size bouquets and floral displays
Limousines, antique cars, or horse-drawn carriages

Semi-Formal
Typically held in a house of worship, private home, outdoors, or other locations
Fewer than one hundred guests
Printed invitations with traditional or personalized wording
Bride and groom each have between one and three attendants
Bride wears a floor- or cocktail-length gown with a fingertip veil or hat
Bridesmaids wear floor- or cocktail-length dresses or gowns
Groom and male attendants wear suits and ties
Reception including a simple meal or light refreshments usually held at ceremony location
Live band or disc jockey
Small bouquet for the bride, simple flower arrangements for decorations

Informal
Daytime ceremony often held at home or in a judge's chambers
Fewer than fifty guests
Printed or hand-written invitations with personalized wording
Bride and groom each have one attendant
Bride wears a suit or cocktail-length dress with no veil or train
Maid of honor wears a street-length dress
Groom and best man wear suits and ties
Reception including a simple meal or light refreshments usually held at home or in a restaurant
Corsage or small bouquet for the bride, simple flower arrangements for decorations

 

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