Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wear a black dress to a wedding?

51 replies

lockdownbabyx · 03/09/2023 22:44

7 months postpartum so I don't really feel comfortable in much at the moment. For some reason I feel more confident in black.

The wedding is end of September and we're going all day. What do you think? Is an all black dress ok?

OP posts:
Squiblet · 03/09/2023 23:01

Seems fine to me but there are always people on here who cluck and tut about it. Could you ask the bride what she thinks?

Curseofthenation · 03/09/2023 23:03

Could you wear navy to play it safe?

It wouldn't bother me if you wore black to my wedding. I always play it safe as a guest though.

Tilllly · 03/09/2023 23:25

So long as you don't wear black accessories and black tights and a black veil, I think you'll be fine

pinkyredrose · 03/09/2023 23:26

Of course it's fine!

XenoBitch · 03/09/2023 23:28

I wear black because that is pretty much the only colour I am comfortable in.
Honestly, any bride or groom that would be annoyed about it is focusing too much on the wrong thing during their day.

frisseaze · 03/09/2023 23:29

Of course. You can wear whatever colour you want.

Whataretheodds · 03/09/2023 23:30

There will always be people that say it's fine and people that say it's not.

I don't think all black is appropriate. I also don't think you should ask the bride unless you know her well enough to know she would feel comfortable being honest with you

LylaLee · 03/09/2023 23:32

People say 'do what you want', but we are all part of a culture. In the UK the cultural message of 'black at a funeral= disapproval' is fading but it's not completely gone.

As pp said, I would go with navy. If you insist on black at least have a colourful wrap, or colourful
accessories.

Crispyperifries · 03/09/2023 23:33

Have always worn a black dress to every wedding I have ever been invited to. Usually wear a bright colour accessories.

LylaLee · 03/09/2023 23:34

*black at a WEDDING= disapproval

Choux · 03/09/2023 23:34

I think a black base dress is fine as long as you lift it a bit with some of:

Bright lipstick, nails
Jewellery
Non black shoes, bag, belt, pashmina

These will lift it from funereal to party outfit.

To wear a black dress to a wedding?
To wear a black dress to a wedding?
To wear a black dress to a wedding?
Uncooperativefingers · 03/09/2023 23:36

For me, it depends on the type of wedding. If it's a minimalist, cool, modern wedding in a museum then great. If it's a very rustic hay bales and bunting wedding, then black doesn't seem to suit

TheSandgroper · 03/09/2023 23:41

I did once but I was 9 months pregnant so not a lot of choices out there.

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 03/09/2023 23:42

My mother in law wore black to our wedding including black hat with black veil. I think you'll be OK!

LaLaLouella · 03/09/2023 23:45

Oh it's fine - wear a black dress if it's what you are most comfortable in. Wear some coloured accessories, you'll look great...

Crabsticksandham · 03/09/2023 23:46

I'm getting married at the end of the month and I promise you I couldn't care less if someone wears black.

Actually I don't care what anyone wears!

vancouvertrip · 03/09/2023 23:48

Against the grain, I don't think it's appropriate. Navy or dark green fine though.

Blanketpolicy · 04/09/2023 00:21

black is too harsh for a wedding unless it is very patterned with lighter colours, a bit of skin showing to break up the black and not worn with black accessories or black shoes.

Try a navy with lighter accessories instead?

Indoorcatmum · 04/09/2023 02:25

I personally think its rude. And you often stand out in the photos when there's only one person in black.

Navy is fine, as is a dark purple or green...

Crispyperifries · 04/09/2023 07:17

Indoorcatmum · 04/09/2023 02:25

I personally think its rude. And you often stand out in the photos when there's only one person in black.

Navy is fine, as is a dark purple or green...

I have been to many weddings and there has never been just one person in a black dress.
Like me it’s usually a black dress with brighter accessories.

Porageeater · 04/09/2023 07:23

I had people in black at my wedding and thought nothing of it. Bright accessories are the way forward. But clearly there are pp on this thread who think it’s ‘rude’, I really wouldn’t think that’s the majority view these days so it’s up to you if you care about this.

D1nopawus · 04/09/2023 14:30

It's not great. Fair enough lots of people don't mind but it is outside the understood etiquette for wedding guests.

So you either look like you don't know any better, or you do know but don't care enough for the couple getting married to follow the protocol.

Find something fabulous and don't be a twat would be my advice.

BeachHutCornwall · 04/09/2023 14:32

It is fine - I wouldn't consider it rude at all

When it comes to weddings, people can get a bit butthurt over something that is nothing to do with them

Oh the outrage.

Crunchymum · 04/09/2023 14:34

Depends on the dress, do you have anything in mind?

AuntieStella · 04/09/2023 14:36

No, I definitely wouldn't.

Some people really don't like it; others see it as a sign of disapprobation.

There are so many other colours to choose, why go for the awkward one?

Swipe left for the next trending thread