Why Shouldn’T You Wear Red To A Wedding?

Red, a color often associated with passion, love, and seduction, is considered a red flag of wedding etiquette. However, it is important to ensure that the color is culturally appropriate for the wedding you are attending and avoid bright and flashy reds that might be too attention-grabbing. Additionally, consider the style and formality of the wedding.

Wedding planners Georgie Mitchell and Bethany Smith revealed on the Unfiltered Bride podcast the shocking reason to avoid a red dress, particularly at weddings in the Western world. There are several reasons why wearing red to a wedding is rude, including personal preference, cultural considerations, and etiquette reasons.

In Chinese weddings, the bride is the only one who can wear red, which represents luck and happiness. In this case, the answer to “can I wear red to a wedding?” is definitely no, as you wouldn’t want to upstage her even if you aren’t intentionally doing so.

There are some official etiquette-approved exceptions to crafting a red ensemble, such as wearing yellow-based tones of red in a print or staying away from fabrics featuring patterns that are mostly white or ivory.

Tradition dictates guests avoid wearing red out of fear that it could take attention away from the happy couple. However, it is okay to wear red to a wedding as long as it is culturally appropriate.

Red and white are also considered colors that represent blood and bandages, while getting married in red could be interpreted as welcoming death into your marriage. It is essential to consider the cultural context and personal preferences when choosing a color for a wedding.

Is it rude to wear wedding colors?

3. The wedding colours are for the wedding party, not guests.

The final point is about the weddings colour scheme. Some guests want to wear items that relate to the colours the bride has chosen, but theres a problem with that. The colour scheme, when it comes to what to wear, is designed for the bridal party i.e. the groom, groomsmen, bridesmaids, pageboys etc. Unless youre in that bridal party, youd be best to steer clear of trying to match them.

Think of it a bit like a stage show. The actors, in this case the bridal party, all wear the same colour to identify themselves as being in the cast. Theyre the ones putting on the show. Youre there to watch the show. Get it? Its a bit like the rule that women shouldnt wear white to a wedding, although this isnt nearly as bad as that!

There are of course exceptions to this – occasionally the invite will mention the colour scheme as part of the dress code, or the bride will specifically ask you to wear a royal blue tie. But theres absolutely nothing wrong with picking a tie to match your plus 1 and weve helped lots of people find the right shade with our colour matching service! Again, if in doubt, ask. But remember tip number 2…

Can I wear blue to a wedding?

Neutral shades are classic and won’t take away from the wedding’s formality. For a more colorful look, wear blue, lavender, or pink. If the wedding is in a tropical place, wear yellow, orange, and green.

Is red too much for a wedding guest?

“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.

When it comes to Western weddings, in particular, if you really want to err on the side of caution—or, as Hurwitz puts it, “avoid stares from the older guests”—it may be best to keep away from wearing red in churches, country clubs, and other more traditional settings.Tradition dictates guests avoid wearing red out of fear that it could take attention away from the happy couple,” explains Hurwitz.”Visually, its quite bold. In a photo, your eye is immediately drawn to the color, especially if its next to neutrals like white, black, gray, or beige.”

Is red a bad color for a wedding?

When it comes to Western weddings, in particular, if you really want to err on the side of caution—or, as Hurwitz puts it, “avoid stares from the older guests”—it may be best to keep away from wearing red in churches, country clubs, and other more traditional settings.Tradition dictates guests avoid wearing red out of fear that it could take attention away from the happy couple,” explains Hurwitz.”Visually, its quite bold. In a photo, your eye is immediately drawn to the color, especially if its next to neutrals like white, black, gray, or beige.”

Additional Wedding Guest Style Tips. Now that you understand the basics, for those planning to wear red to a wedding, there are a few style tips to know in order to appropriately dress for the celebration. Specifically, Hurwitz points out that “for a fall or winter wedding, look for moodier shades of red like cranberry, crimson, ruby, or wine. Rich, heavy textures, such as velvet and jacquard, will also heighten the luxury of your look—especially for a formal or black-tie wedding.

On the other hand, for spring and summer nuptials, consider brighter, happier shades of red like cherry, tomato, or orange-red,” Hurwitz suggests. Whats more, floral and abstract patterns will bring a hint of whimsy to garden and vineyard settings, while flowy, lightweight fabrics such as chiffon and organza will feel romantic no matter the venue.

What color is taboo to wear to a wedding?

At most weddings, the brides attire is one of the major highlights, and it is crucial that guests respect her choice and refrain from wearing anything that might compete with her gown. This includes not only the color white but also other shades of off-white, ivory, and champagne.

Variations of White to Avoid. When attending a wedding, it is important to avoid wearing any color that might be too close to white or off-white. The most common shades that should be avoided are:

• Ivory: A pale-yellowish shade of white
• Champagne: A warm beige color with a hint of gold
• Off-White: A shade of white with a grey or beige undertone
• Cream: A pale and slightly yellowish shade of white

What colors are rude to wear to a wedding?

There are some colors that should be avoided at all costs – were looking at you, white – or any colors that may be associated with the bride or bridesmaids gowns.

What color should you not wear to a wedding?

A White Dress. Unless youre the bride, wearing a white dress to a wedding is (still) a major faux pas. 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. Its also the day in which a bride waits to wear this color for her life event, and its been an emotional journey getting there.

If you think a short, white cocktail dress will pass the etiquette test, think again: As an increasing number of brides change into second looks for their reception, even a more casual frock will steal the spotlight. Of course, nobody can mistake the bride on their day, says Avrumson. But in the long term, this will also affect the photos, as the bride should be the pinnacle in white.

Your Everyday Attire. It doesnt matter if the dress code requests casual attire, jeans, T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, and sneakers are never appropriate to wear as a wedding guest. Show respect for the bride and groom by dressing formally. Sabatino suggests that men show up in a jacket and tie, even when the invitation says casual. That is honoring the occasion in my mind, she says.

What is the most disrespectful colour to wear to a funeral?

Wearing dark grey or deep blue is just as appropriate as black, while brown and lighter greys are suitable for the vast majority of funeral services. However, unless specifically requested by the deceased or their family, you should avoid any bright colors such as yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds.

In terms of accessories, a white shirt is the most common item of clothing to wear under a suit, while jewelry should be kept to a minimum and not too flashy.

3. What to wear to a funeral that isnt black. When it comes to knowing what to wear to a funeral thats not black, it can be tough. We have taken a look at the various clothing and accessories that you can choose.

Can you wear a red dress to a black tie wedding?

As for colors, all colors are fair game except for white, off-white, or anything else thats even close to white. Apart from that, the only hue you might want to avoid is the color the bride has chosen for her bridesmaid dresses. Additionally, people often think black is a no-go for weddings, but thats simply not the case. Your best options? A floor-length black gown or a fancy little black dress is an elegant, classy choice that is perfectly appropriate for this dress code. Jewel tones are also excellent options (especially for fall fêtes), and pastel hues are lovely for summer weddings.

Lastly, when styling your black-tie wedding guest look, opt for sleek heels, gorgeous jewelry, and an elegant clutch, so the overall ensemble remains formal; and you can never go wrong with diamonds or pearls, especially if youre wearing a more muted dress. Whats more, dont forget about your beauty look. This is your chance to go all out, so opt for chignons, updos, or angelic cascading curls that will complement your elegant attire. Choose one feature to really play up, like eyes or lips, and try a smokey eye with a nude lip or dewy, highlighted cheeks with a red lip.

What Not to Wear to a Black-Tie Wedding as a Female Guest. If youre questioning whether or not your outfit is too formal or inappropriate, you need only ask yourself one simple question: Are you going to upstage the bride? If theres even a chance you might draw attention away from the guest of honor, wear something else. This isnt the time for head-to-toe crystals, body-baring cutout gowns, or anything remotely bridal. If for any reason youre on the fence about whether your dress is appropriate, run it by the bride or a bridesmaid.

Is it rude to wear red to a wedding?

Summary. To answer the main question of the article, yes you can wear red to a wedding in most circumstances. However, in some situations you may want to check with the marrying couple that red is acceptable to wear as a guest and it wont go against their culture or distract from their big day. Explore our range of guest and bridesmaid dresses online today to find the right dress to suit the occasion.

Why is it disrespectful to wear red to a funeral?

“Wearing red is often seen as disrespectful because the colour is bold, stands out, can be distracting and takes on a look of festivity rather than sadness. I would strongly recommend you choose your wardrobe with the utmost respect for the family member and select a colour and an outfit that shows deference to the departed.”

What should I do if I cant attend the funeral?. If you are unable to attend a friend or family members funeral, then it is considered polite to let the family know.

Esther Cardenas Pipoly from Loss of Life Advocates, adds, “If you cannot make the service due to illness or prior commitment, send a card or note to the family before the service or, if you are a close friend of the family, consider calling ahead of time to explain your conflict.”

What does red mean at 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.”