Eight Wedding Planners Weigh In: Can a Guest Wear White to the Wedding? (2024)

FAQs

Can a wedding guest wear white to a wedding? ›

In general, it's not appropriate for guests to wear white to a wedding. "When you're a guest at a wedding, the most important thing to keep in mind is not to upstage or upset the bride," says wedding dress designer Madeline Gardner. "It's safe to stay away from any outfits that are predominantly white, cream or ivory."

It's no longer taboo to wear white!

"According to the Emily Post Institute, it's acceptable to wear white, as long as it doesn't 'distract from the bride or her attendant's dresses. ' For example, a colorful, co*cktail-length dress with a white lace overlay is acceptable," says Lehman.

Samantha Leenheer, creative director and planner at Samantha Joy Events in Ohio, pointed out that the color white enabled "the bride to stand out amongst her guests. If a guest wears white, it can be seen as if you are stealing attention or trying to upstage the bride in some way.

Final Thoughts. In general, it is considered bad form to wear white as a wedding guest. However, a white accessory like a pair of white shoes probably won't raise too many eyebrows. When planning your outfit, consider the bride's apparel as well as the season and weather.

How long after Labor Day can you wear white? The rule states that after Labor Day, white should be retired from your wardrobe. Then once Memorial Day rolls around in May, the gates are re-opened.

“How about a black-and-white dress?” We advise against wearing white to weddings, but a printed dress with a hint of white or ivory is definitely approved. A black-and-white dress is a classic choice, as long as the pattern isn't too distracting.

Champagne, Beige, or Anything Close to White

Steer clear of off-white, eggshell, beige, champagne, cream, or any other super light color that could be mistaken for white.

White colour will serve as the ideal base for any floral or bright prints you may be too afraid to wear as a whole. It will provide a pleasant break amidst a sea of pattern and print and will be discreet enough not to have red flashing in any bride's eyes.

Ivory. Probably the most popular wedding gown color, ivory is also often referred to as eggshell because of its warm undertones. Its popularity can stem from the fact that it is extremely versatile. This particular shade of white can be found in various fabrics from silk to lace and compliments almost every skin tone.

However, nowadays, the idea that you must be 'pure' in order to wear a white dress is rather outdated. Many brides choose to wear white on their wedding day, even if they aren't a virgin, or even if they have children already. These days, white is merely chosen because it's traditional.

Why not to wear white to a wedding? ›

Generally speaking, it's best to play it safe and avoid wearing a white dress when going to any type of wedding. The reason being, that white is traditionally a bridal colour. This may result in guests who are not familiar with the bride mistaking you for the person of honour.

The trendier the look, the less you're going to look like a classic bride. Choose a white dress with a trendy shape, texture, or pattern to keep the look modern. If you're wearing a classic white dress, choose trendy accessories. This will give off a fashion girl vibe rather than a traditional bride-to-be.

White shoes are a great option for many different outfits, but they may not be the best option to wear to another person's wedding. White shoes are not as overwhelming as white outfits, but there are many alternative color options for your shoes that may be better.

Also, stay away from fabrics featuring patterns that are mostly white or ivory—for example, florals, polka dots, or stripes. Anything that could be construed as white or ivory is going to be frowned upon at a wedding.

Can I wear a floral pattern to a wedding? “Absolutely! Floral dresses are an excellent choice for a wedding no matter the season or formality,” says Varney. “There are plenty of different styles that can make the perfect fit.”

Why can't you wear white after Labor Day? The old-fashioned decree bans us from wearing white during the winter and spring, from Labor Day in September till May Day (another day designated to celebrate workers' rights). One popular theory dates back to the early 1900s.

Those who are at present permitted to wear white garments include the Queens of Spain and Belgium, the Grand duch*ess of Luxembourg and the Princess of Monaco, in summary those royal houses whose regents had been given the title of "(Most) Catholic Majesty" (Rex catholicissimus).

Simply put, women should wear a formal, floor-length evening gown—no exceptions—with jewelry, heels, and an elegant clutch. Men are required to wear a tuxedo with tails, a formal white shirt, a vest, a bow tie, white or gray gloves, and formal footwear, such as derby shoes or oxfords.

You may choose to wear any color except black or white. The guest's goal should be to blend in with the surroundings and let the bride shine. As her guest, you should avoid attire that could be considered informal or in bad taste. Pastels, jewel tones and earth tones are excellent choices, as are most primary colors.

Is it OK to wear sparkly shoes to a wedding? ›

For brides and wedding guests that ask “can I wear sparkly shoes to a wedding” wonder no more. Yes! Sparkling shoes often add interest, joy and energy to an ensemble, all of which are great attributes for weddings.

The general consensus of our experts? Say no to the dress. "As far as I am concerned, if the dress is white with a print over it, it still is white," shares etiquette expert Diane Gottsman. "There is very little wiggle room when wearing a white dress.

Here are the most popular wedding colors:

Navy, White, and Gold. Black and White Combination. Petal Pink, Cornflower Blue & Mauve Purple.

Only if the mother in law said that she intended to wear all-white to the wedding, then it is okay to tell her that she should not wear all-white. But if she never said or did anything to intend to wear white, then you should not tell her.

As a general rule, "wearing black is totally acceptable, as the hue is very versatile," Sabatino affirms. However, you should avoid wearing white unless you are told otherwise. That shade, she says, is reserved exclusively for the bride.

Even if the wedding is a ~dress to impress~ event, the last thing you want to do is outdo the people getting married! Prints and fun colors are definitely okay, but make sure you're not taking over the spotlight.

For example, give your guest the freedom to wear any kind of white fabric, such as linen, silk, chiffon and more. Or, give them the green light to rock a different shade of white (like ivory and eggshell). The end result will look equal parts cohesive and chic.

“White dresses on fair skin can be harsh and appear washed out.” If you're fair or have pink undertones in your skin, yellow-ivories will complement your complexion best. “Ivory is typically the most universally flattering version of white,” says Blackburn. “So, when in doubt, go ivory.”

Ivory is what we refer to as "bridal white". About half of our sample gowns are in ivory, the other half are in a speciality color (more on that later).

Can a woman wear white to her second wedding? ›

Second marriage wedding dresses can definitely be white.

If they'd love you in white (and you would too) go right ahead. Even if you chose something super classic and "bridal" for your first wedding, that doesn't mean you have to forgo white this time around.

Do I have to be a woman to wear a white wedding dress at my wedding? No! Brides can be any gender and anyone can wear a white wedding dress if it affirms their gender expression. Weddings are about the celebration of love and brides deserve to celebrate their union in attire that aligns with who they are.

"There's a tradition of wearing white that has been made popular through movies and television shows, but the color of your wedding dress has no bearing on the success of your marriage," says wedding planner Jove Meyer. "Wear what makes you feel fabulous—be it white, patterns, colors, long gown or short dresses."

“Tradition dictates guests avoid wearing red out of fear that it could take attention away from the happy couple,” explains Hurwitz. “Visually, it's quite bold. In a photo, your eye is immediately drawn to the color, especially if it's next to neutrals like white, black, gray, or beige.”

The point is that no bride has to wear white, but anyone can wear white. If you want to follow this much-more-modern-than-you-think Western wedding tradition, go for it! Sadly, you may encounter ignorant people who say wearing white again is "inappropriate" or a breach of etiquette. They are entirely wrong.

Wearing a blue and white dress to a wedding:

Blue and white is such a popular color scheme for weddings! Many couples choose to have their wedding decor in these colors because they are classic and beautiful. If you are wondering if you can wear a blue and white dress to a wedding, the answer is most likely yes!

Go big and bold with the color.

White dresses are a blank canvas and a great excuse to add just about any color you want to your outfit. Red heels are a classic pairing, and you can finish the look with a wide, red belt, red lipstick, or a red clutch. If red isn't your thing, try emerald green instead.

Kids Shouldn't Wear White, Either

While no one will be thinking your kid is the person getting married (it's very common and popular to have the flower girl in a shade of white, cream, or light pink), it's better to err on the side of caution with light shades on the wedding day.

Unless the invitation specifies it's an all-white dress code for guests, avoid the color for a wedding, bridal shower, bachelorette party, or rehearsal dinner.

What style should you look for in a wedding guest purse? The best wedding guest purses are functional and compact. A small crossbody or shoulder bag is a great option for throwing over your shoulder. A clutch is a go-to evening bag style, as well.

Can you bring a handbag to a wedding? ›

Don't: Carry a bag that's too baggy or casual

According to Cove, most purses are fair game as long as whatever you choose pairs well with the outfit. A personal favorite she suggests is the clutch, especially because it takes up very little room and offers immediate access to anything you need to carry.

'Wear anything that makes you feel like celebrating,' though—and trainers are totally fair game. So, if you're attending a more relaxed affair and want to ensure you're ready to dance all night long, a sneaker can be wedding appropriate. The trick here is to opt for a clean and elegant sneaker design.

Etiquette for wearing jewelry at a wedding

The wedding invitation likely came with a dress code, and this should give you a good indication of what to wear. And remember, no matter what you do, don't wear white or ivory.

Animal Print

Just say no to the leopard, zebra, and giraffe print. (Seriously, I've seen it.) I'm not saying you need to dress as Plain Jane, but in-your-face animal prints are likely to draw attention to you, meaning you're taking attention away from the bride.

Is it okay to wear a blush or pink wedding dress? One word: YES! White may be the go-to color for wedding dresses, but rocking a blush or pink gown on your big day is such a fun + fashionable way to showcase your personality, inject your celebration with some color, and make your “I do's” more unique.

Using fake flowers or plants for a wedding is not tacky at all as long as you select high-quality artificial plants that look just as natural as the real ones. In fact, high-quality faux plants or flowers can even make your wedding appear more elegant while stretching the dollar.

You can definitely use faux flowers instead of fresh ones (especially if you're highly allergic to the real deal), but don't go this route if you're looking to save some money. In fact, good artificial flowers (the kind that look real) are usually made of silk and can be more expensive than their natural counterparts.

Floral Maxi Dresses for weddings are always an excellent and appropriate choice this time of year. They are feminine and fitting for a wedding.

White colour will serve as the ideal base for any floral or bright prints you may be too afraid to wear as a whole. It will provide a pleasant break amidst a sea of pattern and print and will be discreet enough not to have red flashing in any bride's eyes.

Generally speaking, it's best to play it safe and avoid wearing a white dress when going to any type of wedding. The reason being, that white is traditionally a bridal colour. This may result in guests who are not familiar with the bride mistaking you for the person of honour.

Can a guest wear white to a rehearsal dinner? ›

Look at the wedding rehearsal dinner invitation carefully to learn about the dress code and venue. Stay away from white and opt for muted colors or black to keep attention on the bride(s). Stick to formal attire that's elegant and dressy unless told otherwise by the soon-to-be-married couple.

In many societies the color white has long been associated with purity and virtue, and that is one reason why some brides choose to wear white, especially in the West.

Champagne, Beige, or Anything Close to White

Steer clear of off-white, eggshell, beige, champagne, cream, or any other super light color that could be mistaken for white.

However, nowadays, the idea that you must be 'pure' in order to wear a white dress is rather outdated. Many brides choose to wear white on their wedding day, even if they aren't a virgin, or even if they have children already. These days, white is merely chosen because it's traditional.

“Tradition dictates guests avoid wearing red out of fear that it could take attention away from the happy couple,” explains Hurwitz. “Visually, it's quite bold. In a photo, your eye is immediately drawn to the color, especially if it's next to neutrals like white, black, gray, or beige.”

Navy is a wonderful choice for wedding guests.

While some brides may choose to wear white to their rehearsal dinner, others may opt for dresses in vibrant colors or prints–what you wear is entirely up to you! For instance, you can go with a subtle floral print, like in the June Dress.

Wearing a blue and white dress to a wedding:

Blue and white is such a popular color scheme for weddings! Many couples choose to have their wedding decor in these colors because they are classic and beautiful. If you are wondering if you can wear a blue and white dress to a wedding, the answer is most likely yes!