When it comes towedding guest etiquette, there are lots of traditions and rules that have changed in recent years, but one etiquette question still remains among the most-asked: Can you wear white to a wedding? While it turns out that colors that were once considered taboo (black, for example) are now totally okay to wear to (most) weddings, there are still certain colors not to wear to a wedding—including some that might surprise you.
Can you wear white to a wedding? Here’s a list of colors you can’t wear to a wedding, and some you should think twice before donning.
Never wear…
White
So, once and for all, can you wear white to a wedding? It turns out that white is still the main color you can’t wear to a wedding. Eighty percent of brides wear white to their wedding, and it’s important that a bride stands out at her wedding. Even if it isn’t the intent, a guest wearing white can be seen as an attempt to upstage the bride—and that’s definitely a no-no.
We’ve heard it a million times: “But the outfit I want to wear isn’t actually white, it’sivory.” Ivory, off-white, cream, eggshell, vanilla, bone—call ‘em what you will, but if it’s close to white, don’t wear it. 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.
Think twice before wearing…
Champagne or gold
Wondering what other colors not to wear to a wedding? In recent years,champagne-hued and goldwedding dresses have become quite a trend. If you’re attending the wedding of a bride who’s the fashion-forward type, know that she might opt for a dress that’s more gold than white. To stay on the safe side, we recommend avoiding ensembles that are predominantly gold or champagne-colored. Even pale silver can feel bridal, so avoid this hue as well, if possible.
Super-light pastels
Usuallypastel huesare considered not only appropriate but encouraged in guest attire, particularly for spring events. However, we’ve seen one too many wedding guest dresses in barely-there pastel hues that end up looking white or ivory in photos—not cool. If you’re considering a blush or pale mint look for a wedding, try photographing the ensemble in sunlight. If it retains its pink or green hue, it’s fine to wear. If it looks white, skip.
If you’re attending a daytime or informal wedding, avoid wearing ensembles featuring too much beading orsparkle. Similar to wearing white, it will be seen as trying to steal the spotlight—not cool. However, if the wedding you’re attending is formal or black-tie, sparkly gowns are usually okay—just don’t go too overboard and wear something that could be construed as a wedding dress.
Neon
Overly bright hues are among the colors not to wear to a wedding, because again, you don’t want to steal the spotlight from the newlyweds. Wearing neon colors will seem like you’re trying to grab attention—definitely not cool.
Denim
For most weddings, wearing denim is seen as too casual. Of course, if the couple has announced a denim dress code for a super relaxed event, that’s fine, but for most weddings, denim or chambray are definitely among the colors not to wear. The only exception would be to bring a denim jacket as a coverup for a colder-weather event—but only do so if the wedding you’re attending is on the more casual side.
Bridesmaid dress color(s)
If you’re not a bridesmaid, wearing the same color as the ‘maids can make you look like a wannabe. If you know the bride or one of the bridesmaids well, don’t be shy about asking what color they’re wearing so you can include that hue on the list of colors you can’t wear to the wedding. But what if you don’t know the bride or any of the bridesmaids? Use the wedding invitation as a clue—usually an invite is designed to match a wedding’s color palette, so if you see a color prominently featured on the invite, don’t wear it.
If you're attending certain cultural or religious weddings…
Black
Attending a Hindu wedding?Black is viewed as an unlucky color in Hindu ceremonies, so it’s best to avoid wearing black at these weddings. White is also considered inappropriate to wear during Hindu ceremonies, as it’s the color worn at funerals—but as we mentioned earlier, white is on the list of colors not to wear toanywedding!
Red
Brides usually wear red atChinese weddings, and often at Indian weddings, as well. If attending a wedding of one of these cultures, it’s best to steer clear of wearing red to avoid upstaging the bride.
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.
Also, try to avoid colors that look like white, cream for example, because not only does the bride reserve the right to wear that color for her special day, it also can photograph like white. And nobody wants that. Now, red is inappropriate for a similar reason, but instead of competing, you are trying to outshine her.
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.
Spring/Summer: Lighter colours like pastels, pinks, yellows, and lavender are popular choices for a warm weather wedding. Autumn/Winter: Jewel tones, darker shades like burgundy, wine red, or eggplant, and warmer colours like amber or mustard yellow are all flattering options for cold weather weddings.
The simplest way to tell your guests what they're expected to wear is to put a dress code in the invitation. There is a time-honored glossary of dress-code wording short enough to include on invitations, or on a card inserted with the invitation.
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress dates back to Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840, and it has since become a symbol of purity and innocence. As a guest, wearing white to a wedding is considered a major faux pas because it can be seen as an attempt to upstage or overshadow the bride.
In recent years, some couples have started requesting guests to wear specific colors so that their pictures look good. Unless the invitation specifies that, there is no etiquette for color, other than no one but the bride should wear white.
Blue is also the colour of trust, which is why many businesses use blue in their corporate logos. The 'something blue' part of the wedding tradition stems from the belief that blue represented love, fidelity, and trust.
A friend mentioned to me the other day she had heard you're not supposed to wear green to a wedding. That was news to me. A quick Google revealed that, according to Irish tradition, the colour green attracts the fairies and they could bring mischief and mayhem to the event.
When it comes to early afternoon weddings, the best colors to wear are light and spring-like shades. Think soft pastels and airy tones such as blues, pinks and yellows. For a more refined look, try pairing classic navy or grey with a brighter accent color like white, peach or light purple.
Gold, champagne, and similar hues have been a wedding favorite for a while now, and they don't show signs of letting up. It's common to see bridesmaids in gold skirts, or even a bride in a champagne gown. Do your best to avoid this color family—just in case. Remember, this is about celebrating the happy couple.
For instance, that could be a bridesmaids color dress. I personally would opt not to just to be safe. Blush or nude is pink or beige. Both are traditionally completely appropriate colors for women to wear to a wedding.
Yes, a pale blue or a muted pink is fine, but if the colour is working its way to white, you should swap it for something else. Unsure if your look is too light? Try snapping a pic of it in the sun.
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.
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.
Meaning: Green is most commonly associated with wealth and money. However, it's also the colour of nature, representing life and growth. Although there are some negative connotations associated with the colour green, like envy and jealousy, it's often used by brides to signify their love of nature and the outdoors.
Overly bright hues are among the colors not to wear to a wedding, because again, you don't want to steal the spotlight from the newlyweds. Wearing neon colors will seem like you're trying to grab attention—definitely not cool.
Introduction: My name is Domingo Moore, I am a attractive, gorgeous, funny, jolly, spotless, nice, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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