When you receive an invitation to a wedding, you might be thrilled to attend with your special someone, dance the night away, and celebrate a lasting union. However, if the dress code is written in the card, that excitement could turn to confusion. If you’re hoping to crack the code and plan your outfit to fit the wedding venue, use this simple guide to common dress codes.

4 Wedding Dress Codes to Know

1. Casual

If your invitation states that the wedding calls for casual wear, you can take a deep breath. You likely won’t even need to go shopping. Women can feel comfortable in a sundress, while men can wear aloha shirts or polo shirts over their dress pants.

2. Cocktail

For this semi-formal or dressy casual event, wear what you might for an anniversary dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant. Women can show up to the wedding venue in cocktail dresses paired with accessories and leave the floor-length gowns at home. Men will feel most comfortable in a suit and tie.

3. Beach Formal

While this wedding won’t compare to a black tie event, it’s still an event worth dressing up for. In most cases, this denotes a ceremony held on the beach, so guests will want to keep sand in mind when choosing footwear. Women should wear formal summer dresses in breathable fabrics, and men can attend in warm-weather suits with linen, button-down shirts.

4. Black & White Tie

These are the most formal dress codes you’ll encounter on a wedding invitation and the perfect opportunities to splurge on that ballgown or tuxedo you’ve always fantasized about. While black tie and black tie optional weddings don’t require floor-length gowns, white tie weddings do. A black or white tie outfit should be something you’d feel comfortable wearing to an award show or celebrity gala. Men should wear tuxedos, and they may or may not have long tails.

If you’re planning on tying the knot and want the perfect wedding venue to house your best-dressed guests, get in touch with Manoa Grand Ballroom of Honolulu, HI. For five generations, they’ve hosted magnificent events in their ballroom and lounge, from weddings to corporate parties. They’ll also help devise a menu based on Oriental, Polynesian, Continental, and American delicacies. For more information on their wedding venue, visit the website. You can also call (808) 946-6758 to start planning your big day.