If you haven't gotten one yet, you will. It's just a matter of time until you get that wedding invitation, it looks beautiful, fills you with excitement and then you get to the bottom, and you see it, the dress code. It reads tropical island chic, dressy casual (isn't that an oxymoron?), or some other combination of cutesy words that leave you clueless. Dress codes mean different things to different people so to help aid you in your quest to crack the code factor we've compiled a full proof dossier of answers.

Here are the basics (if you need a refresher) as well as some non traditional dress code requests we've come across, and what they actually mean.

No matter how clueless you are just remember the cardinal wedding rule of wedding attire...whatever you do, don't wear white unless you are the bride!

We'd love to add more to the list. If you receive an invite with an undecipherable dress code and aren't sure what to do with it, email us!

The Basics:

Informal Daytime:
Ladies, short dress or separates.
Guys, dress shirt and pants,and ideally a sports jacket.

Informal Evening:
Ladies, party dress or cocktail separates.
Guys it's a suit for you, any color as long as it is seasonally appropriate.

Cocktail or Semi Formal Daytime:
Ladies, short (not micro-mini) dresses in dressier fabrics like chiffon or silk.
Guys,  dark suits and tie, or a light color suit if you happen to have a cocktail wedding at the beach.

Cocktail or Semi Formal Evening:
Ladies short cocktail dress or cocktail separates.
Guys a dark suit with tie.

Formal Daytime:
Ladies, for all intents and purposes, think cocktail here, short dress or cocktail suit or separates.
Guys, dark suit with tie (a must!)

Black Tie Optional or Formal Evening:
Ladies here you can opt for Black Tie, or ditch the long dress and reach for your favorite cocktail dress or suit.
Guys can wear dark suits with a tie or a tux.

Black Tie:
Ladies, long dresses or dressy evening separates. If the wedding is a little earlier ladies you can ditch that long dress and reach for your favorite cocktail dress or suit.
Guys, dust off, break out or rent a tux.

White Tie: This means fancy shmancy.
Ladies this is when you go "gown" shopping and tastefully layer on the diamonds and fur (or faux fur!).
Guys, time for a long black tail coat, dressy black pants, white vest, tie and shirt, black top hat optional. We've never heard of a white tie wedding, as most brides want to be the only one wearing white, but stranger things have happened. Usually white tie events are reserved for State Dinners or charity galas, but now you know.

The Not So Basics:

Dressy Casual: Think a casual but dressed up. In this instance leave the jeans, shorts, T-shirts and flip flops at home. Ladies, a dressy pants look, skirt with a sweater or blouse and boots or sandals, or dress. Guys, trousers and a sport coat with a polo or button down shirt underneath, and casual driving loafers.

Tropical Island Chic: We have seen this one for beach-side rehearsal dinners. Cute, yes, clearly tells you what to wear, no. Ladies, nice beachy dresses are the easiest fall back here with sandals, guys, khaki pants or shorts with a linen or lightweight button down or polo with casual driving loafers or beach sandals (if that is your thing).

Festive: For the ladies, dresses with a little sparkle and shine in festive colors like red, black and silver are key, especially if this festive affair falls anywhere near Christmas or New Years. Guys, another dark color suit (snooze). To add some festive fun pop a colorful satin tie in silver, red, fuschia or purple.

Garden Party: Think florals, happy colors and preppy. Ladies, definitely a sun dress, maybe even a straw hat if you have one. Go for a lightweight dress in happy colors printed, striped or solid. Guys, think khakis, seersucker, a colorful bow tie, casual driving loafers or preppy plaids.