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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wear a white dress to a wedding?

155 replies

ToothpasteKisses · 06/05/2013 22:04

Have a friends wedding in June.

Have been looking at dresses online and my favourite ones are white. None are "bridey" looking dresses.

If you were the bride would that annoy you? Or is it a silly old tradition that only the bride wears white?

OP posts:
PeneloPeePitstop · 07/05/2013 08:34

Really?
I've got a white tea dress to wear to my cousin's wedding... But it does have lilac roses all over it.
Lilac shoes and bag too - would I get away with that?

TheRealFellatio · 07/05/2013 08:39

Of course!

frikonastick · 07/05/2013 08:57

A guest came to my wedding wearing all white. With flowers in her hair. I did notice, but wasn't bothered. Everyone else really was bothered on my behalf though! I must admit, it does look a bit weird in the photos. Hehehehehe, might just scan a couple onto Facebook Grin

FeckOffCup · 07/05/2013 09:21

Is it really a no-no to wear white accessories. I didn't know that, I wore a turquoise dress with white shawl and feathery hairband thing to a wedding last summer. Oops.

Lambzig · 07/05/2013 09:46

My MIL made my SIL's white wedding dress. She then wore a designer floor length white evening dress which was much nicer than the dress she made her DD. she also had flowers in her hair.

It was the first time I met DH's family and I was a bit Shock

ModernToss · 07/05/2013 09:52

I wore a cream suit to a wedding once, but checked with the bride and the bride's DM and MIL first.

eccentrica · 07/05/2013 09:57

I've just bought this for a (casual) wedding next weekend - it's not breaking the 'no white' rule is it?

dresslikerachelberry.tumblr.com/post/14874694100/h-m-dress-29-95-a-bird-print-dress-thats-from

Floggingmolly · 07/05/2013 10:02

That dress is gorgeous, eccentrica. I'd say it would be fine.

ephemeralfairy · 07/05/2013 10:10

I would err on the side of caution and not...at my friend's wedding a few years ago her MIL (who had form for such things) sashayed in wearing a white trouser suit and long flowing white coat. No-one knew where to look. My friend took it on the chin but was secretly a bit upset.

ephemeralfairy · 07/05/2013 10:12

Having said that, what are people's thoughts on wearing black to weddings...? I'm going to a wedding and am thinking of wearing a black prom-style dress with either bright pink or bright red accessories....

Mumsyblouse · 07/05/2013 10:13

Prints on a white background fine, long white bridal type dresses or head-dresses- just no, how hard is it to find something else. I once wore a white shift dress (in the days before MN) to a wedding, it wasn't at all bridal and the bride was (IYSWIM) so hopefully it didn't cause any offence, but I wouldn't now.

Viviennemary · 07/05/2013 10:15

Everyone knows you don't wear white to a wedding unless you are the bride. People will think why is she wearing white when she knows it's bad form.

Viviennemary · 07/05/2013 10:17

Print on white fine. Just to clarify!

FoxyRoxy · 07/05/2013 10:18

Two friends wore white to my wedding, I didn't give a shit I was clearly the bride. I don't understand the fuss, tbh. They were both short dresses not long bridal looking ones! Yanbu

CelticPixie · 07/05/2013 10:19

My Uncles partner turned up to a family wedding in a white suit and everyone noticed and passed comment of it. Its disrespectful and bad manners.

I'm not sure why anyone wold want to wear white anyway? I think the only time you can get away with it is when you get married!

CooEeeEldridge · 07/05/2013 10:22

I've worn 3 white dresses, to several wedding. All coast, strapless, knee length with some black detailing on, non were remotely similar to a wedding dress in my opinion. Had loads of compliments including from brides, also purchased one of them with friend who was bride to wear at her wedding. I really don't think it's an issue unless it looks like an actual wedding dream.

Bertrude · 07/05/2013 10:25

As the bride I didn't give a shit and I'm sure many brides don't any more. As a guest I wouldn't even if the bride said ok, because the endless mutterings from other guests would piss me off.

Although I did read coralanne 's post about someone being an excellent sewer and read it not thinking about haberdashery and a little more, erm gutter thinking Grin

DonDrapersAltrEgoBigglesDraper · 07/05/2013 10:28

Hmm, disagree that you csn get away with wearing white is when you get married...!

White frocks can look completely fabulous, especially on certain skin tones. It would be a crime not to wear white sometimes, IMO. :)

DonDrapersAltrEgoBigglesDraper · 07/05/2013 10:29

Terrible typos in that post, soz.

LadyHarrietdeSpook · 07/05/2013 13:02

The one time I would say it's fine is if it's a maternity outfit and the wearer has like one formal item - who would expect anyone to buy something new just for a wedding?!

But if you're buying something specially, it's a bit bizarre to insist that there absolutely isn't any other option available for you apart from wearing white.

notso · 07/05/2013 13:27

Can't believe anyone cares as long as you are not wearing an actual wedding dress.
I have a friend who wore a wedding dress to her DB's wedding in protest to the fact they booked their wedding the day before hers but that's a whole other thread!

LadyHarrietdeSpook · 07/05/2013 13:29

I guess your story just reinforces people's view that a person who did it might be a bit attention seeking...

ceebie · 07/05/2013 13:31

The bride probably wouldn't care but other guests will always comment. At my friend's wedding, her best friend wore a white trouser suit, and I overheard other guests bitching. I really don't know why they felt the need to bitch, but there you go.

pickledginger · 07/05/2013 13:32

Think of every colour you could wear. Why pick white?

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