Wedding Dress Code - Only Black Allowed

[YorkshirePuddingsGreatestFan]

I'm going to a wedding but the bride has specified that all guests must wear black only and no colours. Not even coloured shoes or accessories. Herself and the groom will both be wearing white.

She's seen a video online which I've looked at with a black dress code. However that wedding is outdoors in sunny weather. The women are all wearing clothes that show plenty of skin - bare arms, bare legs, low necklines in lightweight fabrics. The various shades of skin breaks the black clothing up and it looks ok.

This wedding is in the winter in a very cold location, so I'll need to be wearing heavier fabric with long sleeves, high neckline and thick tights on. I would imagine the other women will be covering up to keep warm. I don't think it'll work as there will be no skin to break the black colour up. I think we'll all just look like one big black lump with several heads on the group photos!

I also don't suit black at all. I'm very pale skinned and it makes me look washed out and unwell. My mother has pale skin and is also concerned about this.

Just wondering if anyone has been to a wedding with such a strict dress code and how did it turn out?

I don't have a chic black dress, I really don't think the bride has said it to make it easy for her guests..... do you really believe that?

It's an insta thing!

@doilooklikeicare

''I don't have a chic black dress, I really don't think the bride has said it to make it easy for her guests..... do you really believe that?''

You misunderstood.

Many women will have a 'little black dress' in their wardrobe. It is a fashion staple.

So it is likely it will make it easier for many to just use something they already have.

I never said the bride chose black for that reason though...

It is her wedding and she can choose whatever she wants.

Absolutely no need for anyone to make a drama out of having to wear something black so the bride can have the wedding she wants.

I don't! As OP and others have said it's not our colour!

Yeah, would work 😃

Who doesn't buy a new dress for a wedding! I'm northern so no tights in sight up here take a coat for if you need it. For me it would be a spray tan and something like

www.allsaints.com/women/dresses/alula-silk-blend-lace-trim-maxi-dress/WD317Z-5.html?cid=22

Or

www.karenmillen.com/petite-soft-tailored-pleated-panel-midaxi-dress/BKK17874-1.html?color=105

Oh-oh.
Bad vibes about this one. I give them two years, tops.

"I really don't see the problem with wearing black for a few hours if that makes your friend happy on that special day..."

Where does this sort of control freakery end, though? This Bridezila obsession with dictating every little detail of "her" Big Day, or she"ll scweam and scweam till she's thick and probably file for divorce before the year's out anyway is a recent, ridiculous fad, and a pain in the arse to boot. How dare she try to tell her guests - who will no doubt be going to considerable expense to attend - what to wear, as if they're a bunch of children. Some people really need to give themselves a shake.

OP doesn't like black on her, why the fuck would she want to spend £150 on a one wear dress!

Jesus ...... are people mad!

I don't own a "little black dress" and neither does my mother. Like I said, we both look washed out and ill wearing black clothing.

I was planning on wearing either royal blue or emerald green as those colours suit my skin and hair colour best. I want to feel comfortable on the day and would have liked a photo of my family looking nice on the day, rather than a photo of us looking awful in black.

@YorkshirePuddingsGreatestFan are you a red head I'm jealous, emerald green and red head is amazing!

Good for you, will she have bouncers who'll refuse entry?

Who doesn't buy a new dress for a wedding!
Loads of people. I have about 3 dresses suitable for a wedding and I wear them to such events. We had 14 weddings in 3 years. As if I was buying 14 dresses.

And I don't own a black one.

Imagine saying to your 85 year old nan, you must have a little black number you can wear nan!

FFS, you couldn't make it up! I'll tell my nan, mum etc what to wear!

I wear a lot of black so I would like it I think! It is a bit weird to dictate what guests wear to a wedding, unless it is a theme (I always thought I would like to do a midnight circus themed wedding with guests wearing black, white or silver and red favors - which I guess you have to know the book for).

I’ve been to parties with an all black dress code and like you OP I don’t suit black that much and I love wearing rich greens and bright blues.
Go for a black strapless dress - even if it’s cold I wouldn’t wear long sleeves etc to a formal do. Choose silk/satin/lace/lots of beading/textured dress to lift the black. A bit of sparkle will really break it up

She's wearing royal blue or green!

I hear you ! 😂

Not my cup of tea, at all, but at least it would take the stress out of what to buy. Black suits all shapes, even if it doesn't suit all skin tones!

Sorry my last post was badly worded!

When the wedding was announced, I was planning on either royal blue or emerald green and was waiting to find out what the bridesmaids were wearing as I didn't want to look like an extra bridesmaid if they were in blue or green.

As it is, the bridesmaids are in black as well.

It's extremely rude to dictate to GUESTS what they should wear. When did weddings become all about what the bride wants (groom probably doesn't care) and not about sharing the day with family and friends and being grateful for their presence?

Black is my favourite colour. I would probably wear black to my own wedding, frankly! However, I think it’s so rude and pushy to impose a strictly prescriptive dress code like that on wedding guests. People should be able to wear whatever colour suits them and that they feel their best in. Lots of people hate wearing black.

I think it’s too controlling but at least it’s black and not say orange.
I would search Vinted for a black dress or black suit.
Wear opaque tights if you prefer and make sure you are warm. I would not be wearing anything skimpy if it’s cold.
I am firmly of the belief that if you choose to get married in a cooler month then you tolerate guests in coats/long sleeves/high necks/heavy shoes basically clothing which is suitable for the weather.
It’s the couple’s choice so I would wear all black.

something along these lines Silk Fred

That looks like underwear and entirely inappropriate for any wedding.

@DappledThings are but it's black..... which is what the bride wants!

I'd love everyone to turn up in the most inappropriate black outfits ever!

Really? I’ve been to plenty of weddings where women have worn similar - nice strapless dress with a bit of bling suits an evening reception in a hotel