Yeah, penny loafers or tassel loafers would work as something more relaxed. Depends what they mean by "formal" on the invitation. Black or dark brown. Maybe you could find Sebago Joe penny loafers on sale somewhere as a lower end option. G.H. Bass Weejuns are supposedly not good these days though. Massimo Dutti should have something if you're shooting lower and are in EU.
For a step up from Sebago in EU there's Meermin, Carmina, TLB Mallorca etc.