How to Wear White to a Wedding (And Not Offend the Bride) (2024)

FAQs

How to Wear White to a Wedding (And Not Offend the Bride)? ›

Wear White Separates

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.

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.

"My rule of thumb usually is, if you have to question if the pattern or print has too much white, I would err on the side of caution and avoid it." Nathalie Cadet-James, founder of Luxe Fête Event Planning and Design Studio, further adds, "Hundreds of years of loving tradition tell us that only the bride is in white.

There's an easy way to gauge if your floral ensemble is appropriate or not for a wedding. "If it's a pattern with a white base or a print with white in it, I would suggest sticking to a rough visual ratio of 75 percent color to 25 percent white," says Gabrielle Hurwitz of Gabrielle Hurwitz Bridal Styling.

Second-marriage wedding dresses can be white.

If they'd love you in white (and you would too) go right ahead. Even if you chose something super classic and "bridal" for your first wedding, that doesn't mean you have to forgo white this time around.

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.

However, in today's modern-day age, wearing black to a wedding is completely acceptable, and in many cases, it's even encouraged.

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.

Can you wear a blue dress with white flowers to a wedding? ›

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.

As we said earlier, we advise steering clear from wearing white, off-white or ivory unless the couple says otherwise. That said, if it's a mostly black dress, top or skirt with just a bit of white, then that should be okay.

She also adds, "Generally, it's understood that avoiding white is respectful unless the bride expressly requests it.” Other generally accepted wedding guest attire rules include avoiding anything super sheer, distressed, or overly casual—unless the dress code requests that, of course.

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.

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.

Unless the dress would violate the dress code set by the bridal couple/wedding venue, go ahead and wear it. It's a solid white dress that's the no-no.

Blue and white is such a popular color scheme for weddings! Many couples choose to have their wedding decor in these colors because they are classic and beautiful. If you are wondering if you can wear a blue and white dress to a wedding, the answer is most likely yes!

Do wear shorter hemlines: A white full-length gown almost always looks bridal. Unless it's a formal wedding, choose a midi– or even a mini–length hemline to avoid the bridal appearance. A little white dress is definitely better than a long white dress for white wedding guest attire.

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.

That said, the majority of women these days wear a white wedding dress at their weddings regardless of the nature of their relationships. If you want to wear a white wedding dress, do it.

What color do brides wear for a second wedding? ›

For your second wedding, wear whatever you want. This is still your wedding day, and you should wear whatever makes you feel beautiful. You may choose to stick with traditional white, or switch it up for an ivory or blush color – or something even brighter! Whatever you pick, make sure it makes you happy.

Older brides can and do wear white on their wedding day if they choose to. White is a classic and timeless choice for wedding attire that symbolises purity, new beginnings and the celebration of love.

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 aren't a virgin, or even if they have children already. These days, white is merely chosen because it's traditional.

White dresses are a blank canvas and a great excuse to add just about any color you want to your outfit. Red heels are a classic pairing, and you can finish the look with a wide, red belt, red lipstick, or a red clutch. If red isn't your thing, try emerald green instead.

Neutral Shades

If you're still looking for a traditional bridal look but don't want to wear white, softer pale shades are the best way to go. Ivory, champagne, and blush have taken modern brides by storm since many of us realized that we don't look good in stark white! It's science.

In most cases, you do want to avoid wearing white to a bridal shower as a guest (unless specifically stated in the invite). Why? It's traditional for the bride, or the couple, to wear white at the bridal shower. This also includes pastel shades, like blush or soft blue, that can be photographed as looking white.

Slips are the best thing for sheer skirts and dresses. Plus, you don't even have to wear an umcomfortable thong since the slip will cover it all! Just make you sure you still wear lighter-colored, non-patterned underwear.