Black Tie ???

Yes, "Black Tie" means traditional formal wear for both of you -- a tux with black bow tie for him and a floor-length dress for you.

If the invitation states "Black Tie Optional" or "Black Tie Invited," you do not have to wear tux & gown. Your hubby can wear a formal suit with a tie (matched coat and slacks with a white or off-white long-sleeved button-down dress shirt and conservative tie). But if he wishes to wear a tux, he will not be out-of-place. In your case, you must wear a dressy dress, but not necessarily floor length. Most womens' pantsuits (or business suits with a skirt) will not be appropriate.

Black tie means tux and floor length gown. Does it say black tie optional? If it does then he can wear a suit. Either way it definetly means get dressed up fancy! I doubt the couple expects people to rent a tux for there wedding. That sounds fun! Have fun getting all dressed up.

If it says black tie, the gentlemen need to be in tuxedos and the women should be in formal wear.

Enjoy - most people don't get to do this very often and it is a LOT of fun!

I would ask about the tux. I haven't been to a wedding where all of the men were wearing tuxedos (and I've been to a couple of weddings at very upscale locations) so two in one month seems odd to me - of course, maybe your friends are more upscale than mine :-)

Definitely, floor-length gown for any formal wedding in midwinter will be appropriate (and you get to wear it twice - 3x if you are invited to any formal holiday parties!)

Black tie means tux, black tie optional means a suit is acceptable. Have fun...I love black tie events. It's fun to get all dressed up!