Why Can You Not Wear White To A Wedding?

The color white holds a special meaning for brides in many cultures, and it is traditionally reserved for the couple tying the knot. In Western culture, it is tradition to wear white to a wedding, as it symbolizes her “virginity.” However, with changing traditions and brides making their own rules, it is generally considered the ultimate faux pas.

Rationales include “It’s the only thing that fits,” “It’s the only thing I like,” “I’ll add a pop of color with a sweater,” and “But the bride said it’s okay.” While the official stance on wearing white to weddings is that it is okay in certain situations, the safer option is always to avoid wearing white to a wedding. In 95% of cases, it is easy to find a suitable alternative to the traditional white dress.

Bridal stylist Anny Choi suggests that guests should find their own best color (which for most people isn’t white) and wear it. Black is a great staple option that can be reworn to different weddings.

In terms of style tips for wearing white to a wedding, consider factors such as the wedding color scheme, dress code, the mother of the bride, comfort level, and what you want to wear. Wearing white was traditionally off limits because you were running the risk of upstaging the bride.

In conclusion, it is respectful and customary not to wear white as a guest to a wedding unless the bride specifically asks for it. White remains a symbolic color for brides on their wedding day, but the cultural taboo around guests wearing white has faded somewhat over time.

Is it rude to wear red to a wedding?

Can You Wear Red to a Wedding?. Whether or not you can wear red to a wedding depends on the wedding itself and the fashion specifications dictated by the couple. Nonetheless, it is largely no longer considered afaux pasto wear red to most Western and secular nuptials. According to bridal fashion stylist Gabrielle Hurwitz, “As couples get more creative with their wedding designs, theyre alsogetting more creative with their dress codes.” This expansion of our understanding of what a wedding can look like has likewise expanded our choices in wedding guest attire.

“If the wedding or the couple is less traditional, or the dress code is a little more creative, I dont think theres anything wrong with wearing red as a wedding guest,” adds Hurwitz. And while you might see rumors floating around the web that wearing red means you had a fling with the groom, ignore those. There are no hidden meanings to any colors of wedding guest attire.

When to Avoid Wearing Red to a Wedding. In certain cultures, notably South Asian and East Asian cultures, red is considered lucky and auspicious, and thus, has been traditionally incorporated into wedding day attire the same way white dominates bridalwear in Western cultures. This means that if you are attending an Indian, Chinese, or South Asian Muslim Wedding, or any other wedding where the color may have significant cultural meaning, “avoid wearing red because it could be part of the couples attire,” says ONeal. At the same time, ONeal notes that you may want to avoid shades of white, as some non-Western cultures associate the hue with death and periods of mourning.

What colors shouldn’t you wear to a wedding?

White or Ivory. Itching to wear the gorgeous white dress you just purchased? Dont do it. While it may sound like the number one wedding guest faux pas that everyone should know, some people forget (or, worse, ignore) the rule, so were here to reiterate that white, or a white dress with patterns, is off-limits. Of course, theres always an exception, so if—and only if—the bride has called for guests to wear white, never wear this color to someones special day.

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. There are so many dress options available in a variety of hues, so steering clear of these shades should not be a major issue. For instance, brands like Reformation, Lulus, Revolve, and ASOS are only but a few retailers that provide a plethora of wedding guest dresses in a variety of suitable colors, styles, silhouettes, and sizes.

The Same Color as the Bridal Party. While you may not immediately know the color of the bridesmaid dresses, try and do your due diligence in order to find out what they plan to wear (and avoid wearing the same hue). Either ask the couple, a member of the bridal party, or anyone attending the wedding who might be able to let you know. Trust us, the last thing you want is to accidentally get mistaken as a bridesmaid or member of the immediate family.

Why is it taboo to wear white to a wedding?

The bride may or may not wear white (maybe ivory, maybe champagne), but its her color for that day. You dont want to be mistaken for the bride in a white or lace gown, says Brandi Hamerstone, owner and wedding planner at All Events Planned. You dont want to stand with the bride and look as though you were attempting to look bridal on someone elses day. Even if that wasnt your intention, thats what people (and possibly the bride) will think, and who wants to be that person?

Other Colors That Are Off-Limits. If youre a stickler for etiquette, then you should also avoid wearing colors similar to white, says bridal stylist Gabrielle Hurwitz. That means ivory and cream, of course, but to be extra safe, Id also think twice about silver, champagne, blush, and pale blue, which can read as white in photos, she says. If youre unsure of a color, take several photos of the garment in different lighting setups (natural daylight, dim light, candlelight, etc) to see how it reads on camera.

Dresses that look darker in photos than they do in real life can help you skirt the no-white rule, she says, especially in knee-length cocktail silhouettes. Depending on the dress code, you might be able to get away with a knee-length pale blush or ice blue dress for cocktail attire since its length wont look like a wedding dress, but I would still avoid fabrics like lace and tulle that can read more traditionally bridal, says Hurwitz. She offers one simple guideline: If you have to ask if something looks too white, chances are, it probably is.

How to wear white to a wedding without offending the bride?

Add Some Color. Another way to wear white to a wedding without offending the bride is to pair it with colourful accessories.

Adding a pop of colour with your jewelry, shoes or clutch can help break up the all-white look and make it clear that youre not trying to upstage the bride.

Just make sure the colour you choose doesnt clash with the weddings colour scheme.

Choose a Printed White Dress. If youre set on wearing a white dress, try choosing one that has a print or pattern.

Can you wear white as a bride if your not a virgin?

Can You Wear a White Wedding Dress If You Have a Child?. Its true that white wedding dresses have long been associated with the concepts of purity and virginity – whether or not the colour originally held this meaning. 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 arent a virgin, or even if they have children already. These days, white is merely chosen because its traditional.

Can You Wear a White Wedding Dress for a Second Marriage?. Similarly, you can feel free to wear white to your wedding even if its your second marriage (or third, fourth, and so on). Wearing a white dress in the 21st century holds no deeper meaning than ‘Im a bride – so have fun, and dont worry about others judgement.

Of course, if you dont want to wear white to your second wedding, you dont have to. While its traditional, and seen as the ‘norm, its far from a requirement. There are many other wedding dress colours available, even for first-time brides.

How to tell guests not to wear white?

Be Discreet. Though you may be tempted to approach this guest and voice your concerns, the best thing you can do is exercise discretion and distance yourself from this particular person. Avoid creating a scene which will only make a public spectacle of you, adds Grotts. If a guest doesnt have enough sense to know not to compete with the bride, it will be clear to the other guests.Its 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. The goal is to make them aware of the situation without making them feel uncomfortable throughout the entire night.

Let It Go. Lastly, the last step you should take is to let it go. While it may be extremely hard to move past this fashion crisis, youll be glad to have taken this course of action when looking back at your wedding. Dont let a minor wardrobe mishap overshadow your day, advises Grotts.Instead of focusing on the problem, turn your attention to the people who love you and live in the moment. Your wedding day will likely fly by and youll want to remember every positive memory from start to finish.

Is it rude to wear black to a wedding?

However, thats all it is: an assumption. “Can you wear black to a wedding? You definitely can!” says bridal stylist Anny Choi. “The rule feels antiquated. Black is a great staple option that you can rewear to different weddings. I actually just invested in a classic black suiting option that will be my go-to for fall weddings.” Alexandra Macon, Vogue contributor and co-founder of Over-The-Moon, agrees: It is perfectly acceptable, and chic, to wear black to a wedding—as long as its festive and not funereal, she says.

Why can’t you wear green to a wedding?

A friend mentioned to me the other day she had heard youre 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.

Why can’t you wear black to a wedding?

Account for Tradition. In some cultures, black is less common for weddings. Certain cultures, such as Indian and Chinese cultures, tend to stay away from black because it represents being in mourning. You want to take an extra thought if you are attending a more traditional wedding to be respectful, says Avrumson. If you wear black to an event where its not traditional to do so, you may want to incorporate as much color as possible with accessories.

Think About the Weddings Formality. In a relaxed country setting or a beach location, black may seem too serious; a splashy pastel or punchy pattern might be expected. If the couple is hosting a black-tie wedding at a formal venue, such as an elegant ballroom or grand museum, its suitable for a guest to wear black, Arons says.

If black is your first choice, though, go with it. You can always wear black, no matter where you are, but youll want to check the vibe of the wedding first so the style will fit with the setting, says Avrumson. After all, you want to be comfortable!

Why don’t you wear black to a wedding?

Can You Wear Black to a Wedding?. Can you wear a black dress or ensemble to a wedding? In short, yes, but the key is in the styling. You want to avoid looking like you dressed for a funeral, and your outfit should feel like it was chosen with a special occasion in mind! Women who love to wear black and are confident in their personal style can pull off a really simple, Parisian look, featuring a black dress and simple accessories, but for the rest of us, we can add a celebratory twist to our black ensemble. Here are a few easy ways to do it;

• Wear a jumpsuit or playsuit
• Wear a short, knee-length or midi-length dress
• Incorporate a splash of colour via your accessories, for example vibrant heels, handbag or headpiece
• Wear a print, e.g. polka dot or floral
• Up the occasionwear factor via texture with lace, tulle or feathers
• Wear sequins or embellishment, or a metallic fabric

Its also important to think about the style of wedding youre attending – in particular,the time of year, time of day and the location – when putting your wedding guest look together, which brings us on to our next point…

Why can’t you wear red to a wedding?

Turns out, wearing red to a wedding means to some that “youve slept with the groom.”

However, both wedding planners agreed on a more modern reason for not wearing red: It could be seen as a way to grab the attention away from the bride.

“I feel like red can seen as like quite sexy,” Smith said. “Naughty.”

“A bit ‘look at me,” Mitchell added of the attention-grabbing hue, but also wouldnt rule it out as an option for a wedding guest as it “depends on the dress.”

Is it rude to wear white to a wedding?

The last thing you want is for someone to mistake you for the bride or be in photographs where guests think youre trying to steal the spotlight. All in all, its 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 its okay to wear it.