Is Wearing White to a Wedding as a Guest Still Taboo? | Mill Pond Estate (2024)

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Is Wearing White to a Wedding as a Guest Still Taboo? | Mill Pond Estate? ›

The last thing you want is for someone to mistake you for the bride or be in photographs where guests think you're trying to steal the spotlight. All in all, it's respectful and customary not to wear white as a guest to the wedding unless the bride specifically asks you to wear white or she says it's okay to wear it.

Except in select cases (which we'll cover below), the experts agree that wedding guests should still stay away from white dresses—and especially any that are long, that are lacy, or that read even slightly bridal.

Another way to wear white to a wedding is to opt for white separates instead of a white dress. A white blouse or skirt paired with a colourful blazer or shoes can be a great way to incorporate white into your outfit without looking like you're trying to steal the bride's thunder.

Anything Too Casual

We get it, no one wants to quit their coziest clothing like yoga pants, slippers, and jeans, but it's important to remember that these have no place at a wedding. Even if the celebration is casual and relaxed, guests should always err on the side of formal.

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."

"White floral applique is a red flag when dress shopping as a wedding guest. The bloom detailing in conjunction with the white dress screams bridal. It's way too much textured white," the stylist explains.

The main being the bride explicitly asking guests not to wear white. And if they don't explicitly state that guests can't wear white, it's always best to err on the side of caution and choose another color. Lastly, you don't want to detract from the bride on their big day!

Leave all white, ivory, and champagne-hued shades alone, unless the invitation specifically designates an all-white dress code. "White and ivory are such a stark, prominent color that when you are the only one, as the bride, wearing it, all eyes are on you," says Avrumson.

Even if the wedding has a more low-key dress code, I promise you: It is not that casual. Meaning no sweats, shorts, jeans, T-shirts—you get my point. "If you have to choose between being underdressed or overdressed, it's always better to be overdressed," Swann explains.

High low dresses, paneling, cutouts, stiffer textures, and sharp angles can make the perfect non-bridal white dress. Adding a splash of colour to your white dress can also do the trick. It could be subtly on the hemline, piping or paneling, or more obvious with the bodice or skirt in the different colour.

How to tell a guest not to wear white? ›

It's simply not done unless a guest wants to draw attention to themselves." However, if you absolutely want to acknowledge the matter, ask a member of your bridal party to politely pull this guest aside and kindly offer them a jacket or shawl to add some color to their look.

Answer: It's OK if an outfit has some white in it. What we want to avoid is attire that's more white than any other color. So, for example, a blue dress with white flowers is fine. But it would be best to avoid a white dress with blue flowers.

Typically, you can't wear white to a wedding because this color is reserved for the couple tying the knot. In Western culture, it's tradition for the bride to wear head-to-toe white on the wedding day, so wearing anything that matches this shade might unintentionally steal the spotlight away from her.

How much white is acceptable in a wedding guest outfit? “As long as the main color doesn't read as white, you're in the clear,” Erlanger says.

"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.”

Yes, you can wear white shoes to a wedding as long as they're not combined with any other white attire, like a dress or a suit. Traditionally, all-white attire was reserved for the bride, but with the evolution of fashion and changing societal norms, the rules surrounding guest attire are no longer cut and dry.

Women wedding guests should wear a full-length dress, be it a ballgown, a sheath or an A-line style. High heels are strongly recommended. Feel free to accessorize with opulent jewelry and even elbow-length white silk gloves.

Since nuptials are celebratory occasions, the dark hue was labeled off-limits for attendees in the past. However, in today's modern-day age, wearing black to a wedding is completely acceptable, and in many cases, it's even encouraged.