To wear black to a wedding

[brotherhoodofspam]

Friend getting married in a week, it's an evening wedding and party after, rather than formal reception (most people just think they're coming to a party and don't know the wedding's happening ). My only party type dress is black (with lace etc). Do people mind you wearing black these days, especially to an evening do? I could ask the bride but she's got enough to think about and would probably just say it's fine even if she didn't really think so. So I was hoping you could give me your opinions about whether this is OK or not.

[chipshop]

Sounds exactly like me, I'm going to a wedding evening do in a week and have a new black lace dress I want to wear. I was a bit worried but I've asked around and people think it's fine. I'm wearing it with red heels and lippy.

I'm off to another wedding, the full day this time, in Italy the week after - I'm informed wearing black to weddings is very Italian so my dress will be fine.

Then I'm going to wear it to my work's Christmas do and a New Year's Eve bash... yeah I quite like my new dress.

[stopgap]

So funny. Having lived in NYC, and having been to many a New York wedding, I would say that black is absolutely the foremost colour worn to a wedding. Black bridesmaid dresses are very popular, too.

[PrimalLass]

Yes it's fine. And it most people don't know it's a wedding there will be lots of black.

[Purplepixiedust]

I think its fine, especially for an evening do. Depends on the type of wedding for the day but it wouldn't bother me.

Lots of my guests wore black at night. Some did in the day, my bf who asked first was also one of my witnesses. The groom wore black. I wore purple. Everyone looked great :)

You can always brighten it up with a scarf or jewellery.

[brotherhoodofspam]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I think the idea the the bride doesn't give a toss what other people are wearing is probably right - I certainly didn't at my wedding, was just pleased they'd come. I don't want to offend her nearest and dearest though so have had a quick trawl round the shops this morning and found a nice top I can wear with a turquoise skirt I've got. Probably find the nearest and dearest all wearing black now!

[Alisvolatpropiis]

My aunt wore a black and white dress to my wedding. Thought it a bit of an odd choice for August but wasn't bothered.

Far more amusing was my sister in law who wore all red

On the day I didn't give a toss what anybody was wearing though to be honest.

[starving]

My SIL wore black to my wedding because I couldn't tell her what colour the bridesmaid dress was (not yet purchased!). She also threw a tantrum and threatened not coming for another reason. But that is the kind of person she is. Seriously does it matter what colour. If an evening do it will be dark anyway and no-one will really see. You are there that is what is important.

[Minisoksmakehardwork]

I get why people say it's a drab colour, of mourning etc. but the LBD is surely a wardrobe staple?

I can't wear just black, find it makes me look ill, and picked up a lovely black and red dress for a church service I was supposed to go to. Not too casual or formal, just right. As it happens we didn't go to that service in the end. Then an elderly old neighbour died so I wore it to her funeral with black shoes and bag. A couple of weeks later I wore it with red shoes and bag to attend a wedding.

No one batted an eyelid. Some wedding etiquette does need to be updated and this is one of them. Otherwise I can easily see some people could struggle to find something suitable and that they like.

[mewkins]

I have worn a black dress to a few weddings. Absolutely fine I say.

[DecaffCoffeeAndRollupsPlease]

Evening party, yes wear black; church wedding, only if you can't find anything else suitable. So, yanbu to wear black to this do imo.

[Xenadog]

Oh and wore black as a bridesmaid once too.

[Xenadog]

Went to a wedding last week and wore black as did a number of others. All fine.

[ThursdayLast]

I think without a little hat and black veil you'll be fine

I'm getting married next year and couldn't care less what people are wearing.

[Biggles398]

It would depend what it was like / how it was worn. My sister's ex MIL wore black to their wedding, and it looked like she was in mourning. However my Bridesmaid wore a black dress with a cream sash, and it looked great!

[chansondumatin]

Another one who thinks black is fine so long as there's some colour mixed in somewhere.

When I was wedding dress hunting I was seduced by the most gorgeous full-skirted black wedding dress, but I chickened out and went with traditional ivory in the end .

[FrancesNiadova]

To my brother's wedding, I wore a blue suit & hat during the day ....& a black, silk, sequined dress with quite a daring split up the side/front & a pair of killer heels! It definitely wasn't mourning attire!
(Can't wear the heels now though )
So, I'd go for it

[Angelwings11]

My bridesmaids wore black..16 years ago! YANBU. You could have a splash of colour, via shoes and accessories.

[StackladysMorphicResonator]

Black's fine as long as you've got some colour somewhere - shoes and bag? Jewellery? Nail polish and bright lipstick?

[LittleBearPad]

Add some colour and you'll be fine.

[squoosh]

I think it's a-okay. These days it's a pretty common sight.

[Hairtodaygonetomorrow]

If most people won't know it's a wedding, then it will be full of women in little black dresses. Surely the bride must be expecting a sea of black unless she's expressed otherwise. You will blend in (but I would take different colour accessories/coat if poss).

[LovleyRitaMeterMaid]

I'd normally say no no no but it's a bit different to your traditional wedding so you would get away with it.

[cluecu]

people wore black to my wedding. They looked fab, had a great time....I'm not sure of the point in the day that I was supposed to be angered by it. I wasn't anyway

[YellowTulips]

At a day do i would say no, unless highly accessorised with colour.

For an evening do I think it's fine.

[movingtoourwillow]

I would normally say of course you can't wear black to a wedding, but if it's an evening do that most people are attending unaware of the wedding (how exciting, I'd love to go to a surprise wedding!) then surely there will be lots of others wearing black!