Can you wear black to a wedding? In my opinion as an editor who has attended many, many weddings now, it's a yes, but with a few rules, regs and caveats. I've personally worn black to three weddings over the past few years, and it hasn't caused trouble yet. In fact, the formulas I've come up with have become really trusty, fail-safe outfits for those nuptials and events where you really don't have a clue what to wear.
Unlike many other social engagements, weddings can often come with a specific set of guidelines and requests from the happy couple, but a lot of these have changed and evolved over time. Like many etiquette rules surrounding vows, engagements, gifts and more, appropriate wedding guest attire can often fall into a grey area. And despite many traditional regulations relaxing, this idea of whether black is suitable or not still comes up time and again as a question.
(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)
Style Notes: Mismatched accessories and a shoulder-robed jacket make this form-fitting black dress feel less funeral and more fun—perfect for an evening of dancing!
The answers will vary depending on the specific event and the people getting married, and when I've been unsure of my choices, I have asked the bride in advance. (All times it's entirely not an issue, and they were surprised I even asked.) I'd say always do the following: Try to break up the black with fun accessories, don't go OTT on flashing a lot of flesh, and be careful to opt for something that definitely feels "dressed-up" rather than your go-to work shirt dress.
In addition to my own tips on how you can navigate wearing black to a wedding,I asked a few cool fashion girls about their thoughts on the matter: "Anything but white is fair game, and black, in my book, is always chic and practical. I've lightened up a black co*cktail dress for a summer wedding with coloured shoes, statement jewellery or red lipstick," says super stylist Rachael Wang, echoing my thoughts entirely.
(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)
Style Notes: Sometimes all you need to do is pick a silhouette that feels trend-driven and add gold accessories for a bit of sparkle. This was appropriate for thepretty outdoorsy wedding I went to, as it was knitted but backless for a bit of sass.
"I definitely think it's appropriate to wear black to a wedding, especially if the attire is black-tie. I also think it depends on the location/aesthetic of the wedding," says Who What Wear U.S.'s Lauren Eggertsen. "For example, I attended a black-tie wedding where the reception took place in a gorgeous ballroom, so a black dress seemed more than appropriate. If Iwere attending a summertime outdoor wedding, black might seem out of place."
On the other hand, her colleague Erin Fitzpatrick would steer clear of turning to the dark side. "I definitely don't think it's a universal rule anymore, but I personally prefer to skip black dresses for weddings," she says. "Since every wedding I've been to has been in the summer, it just feels right to choose something fun and colourful, which suits my style better anyway. Plus, for some reason, I still associate black with funerals rather than weddings, so I tend to steer clear of it."
(Image credit: Hannah Almassi)
Style Notes: Country weddings often call for floral dresses, but that works for black floral dresses too.
Shop the Best Black Wedding Guest Dresses
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Elly Dress
The most beautiful silhouette. The skirt has a tulle lining whichgives it the lightness of a cloud.
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+ Net Sustain Party Shirt Feather-Trimmed Satin Dress
You basicallyare the party in this one.
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Halterneck Draped-Front Wraparound Silk Dress
Backless dressesalways look stunning with updo hairstyles.
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Bow-Embellished Velvet-Trimmed Wool and Silk-Blend Satin Midi Dress
Worried this will be too sassy? Grab a sleek blazer to throw on over the top, especially if you're going to a religious wedding.
"It is perfectly acceptable and chic to wear black to evening, black tie, and winter weddings." Ryncarz agreed that it is wise to gauge the attire of the wedding attendants. "When wearing black to a wedding, keep the outfit in line with the dressiness of the bridal party and wedding as a whole," she said.
"You can always wear black, no matter where you are, but it depends on how it's executed," she says. "Black is the most versatile and flattering color for any woman to wear. But because black absorbs heat, if you wear it to a beach wedding you'll want to wear a light fabric."
Though, some brides might be worried that they can't wear a black wedding dress for their ceremony; that it goes against tradition and wouldn't be accepted. Well, we are here to tell you that you absolutely can wear black wedding dresses! Wedding traditions are evolving and with that, acceptable wedding dress colors.
What is the black and gold dress code for a wedding? - Quora. What is the black and gold dress code for a wedding? Black and gold attire for a wedding usually means formal or semi-formal attire. Guests are expected to wear elegant and stylish attire with black and gold detailing.
Turns out, wearing red to a wedding means to some that “you've slept with the groom.” “Old Wives' Tale, but yeah,” Mitchell explained. 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.
Previous generations considered black to be taboo for weddings or a sign of bad luck for the marriage. In recent years the norms around wedding attire have changed and now it's very common to see wedding guests in black ensembles.
It's acceptable and even fashionable to wear black year-round, sequins for daytime and a co*cktail-length dress to a black-tie wedding. My one style rule when it comes to weddings is be spirited!
“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.
The black gown symbolized ensured her loyalty to the bride's devotion to her husband until death. Nowadays, black wedding gowns are the first choice for women who want to wear an unusual yet intense look. They are seen as fashionable and symbolize elegance, power, sensuality, mysteriousness, and Intellect.
In the West, black lace wedding dresses were the traditional choice of Roman Catholic brides in Spain. And both Scottish and Finnish cultures had black wedding gowns as part of their bridal traditions.
The staff suggests that if a wedding is taking place at 4 p.m. or 5 p.m., you should wear something that easily transitions from day to night; any ceremony after 6 p.m. should be strictly co*cktail.
If you want to add some fun to your outfit but you still want to wear black, perhaps go for something with a print or a pattern.” “Wearing black to a summer wedding is completely acceptable, but just be mindful that darker shades can retain heat,” says Harris.
A bold scarf or necklace draws the eye to the top half of your body and can break up a monochromatic look. Pick a necklace or scarf that has a lot of color or a fun pattern. For instance, pair a black A-line dress with a red, white, and black printed scarf and red pumps. Add some simple earrings and a single bracelet.
Traditionally speaking, wearing black to a wedding is considered taboo. Whether it's a sign of mourning, a symbol of evil, or a sign of bad luck for the marriage, our parents and grandparents likely wouldn't have even had to consider whether black at a wedding was appropriate.
If you're looking for something classic and timeless, dark colors like navy blue or black are always appropriate. For a more glamorous look, pastels such as lavender, light pink, or pale blue will add a touch of elegance to your outfit.
Basically, wedding guests are off the hook if they absolutely cannot wear a tuxedo. A dark suit and tie would be acceptable black tie optional wedding attire for men, but wear a tux if you can. Prefer to dress it down? Try a black satin necktie or a black and white bow tie in a pattern.
The Best Colors for Mothers of the Groom to Consider
In general, jewel tones and earthy hues, like emerald green and burgundy, work well, in addition to universally flattering colors like black and navy. Valiente also adds, "Wear a flattering color that compliments the color palette of the wedding."
Introduction: My name is Margart Wisoky, I am a gorgeous, shiny, successful, beautiful, adventurous, excited, pleasant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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