When the wedding is black tie

A black tie card is the most formal paper there is: third person, nothing abbreviated, and the dress code printed as its own short line at the end. The wording tells guests how formal the evening is before they read the words “black tie”.

Traditional Warm Modern

Traditional

Mr and Mrs Vikram Rao
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Priya to Etienne Moreau
Black tie
Saturday, the twelfth of June
at six o’clock in the evening

The full formal sequence, then the dress code on its own line, where convention puts it. No “please”, no explanation.

Warm

Priya & Etienne
invite you to an evening of celebration
Black tie
Saturday 12 June 2027
at 6pm

Still third person and still formal, but it says the evening is a party. The dress code stays plain.

Modern

Priya & Etienne
are getting married.
Black tie.
Saturday 12 June 2027
at 6pm

Two short lines; the second carries the whole dress code. Formal by being brief.

What people ask

“Black tie” or “black tie optional”?: Black tie means a tuxedo and a floor-length or formal dress. “Black tie optional” lets guests wear a dark suit. Say the one you mean; the website can explain it.
Where does the dress code go on the card?: On the last line, or the lower right on the most traditional paper. Never in the middle of the wording.
Should the date be spelled out?: On formal paper, yes: “Saturday, the fourteenth of June”. Your card does this for you in the traditional voice.

Last checked 15 October 2026.

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