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?

The problem with something like this is it doesn't survive contact with reality. Simple themes like all black or all white requires really good quality fabrics and cuts. Cheap or faded black looks awful.

That's where I draw the line. I do the baby showers, gender reveals, parties, hen parties etc butvi wouldn't attend if the dresd guidelines were strict like that. I've got a few coming up this year , I'd buy a gift but not go.

I'd just wear my funeral dress. It's high neck, long sleeves and knee length, with a black belt. If it's cold I've got a black cardigan and thick black tights.

The good thing about black is that you can get a pretty lbd almost anywhere and not always expensively. It does suck for those people who don't suit black though or those who aren't likely to want a cute lbd (the bride's nanna for example).

I think it could work if everyone is in party dresses. Not so much if they are in normal black daywear. That's when it will look funereal.

I do think it's inappropriate to have very specific dress rules at a wedding though - it's supposed to be a celebration of your relationship, in the company of people you love. What they wear shouldn't really matter!

You're being a tad dramatic with the long sleeves/high neckline/thick tights, I think.

The wedding is indoors, surely?

Just wear a nice dress and take a coat for arrival/leaving, maybe a shawl to pop around your shoulders if nippy?

I take it you're not in Alaska?

@StaunchMomma but all those things have to be black

I'm not a fan of a colour code for weddings.

This thread makes me think of a friend who had a big splash for a significant birthday. I totally missed that it was a black and white dress code. As luck would happen my dress was exactly this but my poor DH did stand out a little. My friend said it was fine but I think she wasn't completely happy. We weren't the only ones who failed to read properly!

It sounds horrendous - not to mention pretentious. I would not be attending a wedding where I was commanded to wear a certain colour. What are they going to do if someone turns up in a colour - order them to leave??

Yet another instance of a bride (usually) thinking the wedding day is the most important part of a marriage.

Yes, well put @DappledThings - this sums up my thinking.

Well at least black is slimming. 😼

FFS. An invite is exactly that, not a summons. Go black or go home.

It’s their day and not yours.

The problem with all black is that the people who don't normally wear it will turn up in their funeral clothes.

If I had been asked to wear all black I probably woudn't buy anything new. I would just wear what black clothes I already had.

think it could work if everyone is in party dresses. Not so much if they are in normal black daywear. That's when it will look funereal.

Mind you, I've never been to a funeral where more than a small minority wore black.

So blue then?

My black dresses are for funerals.
There's nothing quite like turning up at a funeral on a dreary day to make you realise that your reliable old black dress is now looking somewhat faded and greyish.

Kind of takes the edge off a wedding to buy/ wear a dress knowing that it's next use will be for a burial/ cremation. I suppose it adds realism to the vow "'til death us do part"

Weddings are supposed to be about a couple's commitment to each other, not petty control-freakery. Fun celebrations, not Victorian mourning and looking your pastiest.

In Britain , and I believe in France for the civil part of the ceremony at the Mairie , anyone can go to a wedding ( at least in Christian churches and registry offices). The ceremony is a matter of public record, citizens are supposed to be able to witness an important event in the community.

When I was young, people ( mainly ladies of a certain age) would always attend any wedding in their parish. They tended to ‘dress up’ too, they would wear their ‘good outfit’ and a hat. No one thought they shouldn’t be there.

Of course they wouldn’t come to the reception. ( though when receptions were in church halls , it was surprising how many people would invite them anyway).

WTAF is wrong with some people, actually dictating what people can and can't wear. Psycho bride only thinking about herself 🙄I'd give the whole thing a swerve.

I'm obviously a bit over invested in this as I'm wondering whether one of the dark grey patterned dresses I wear to funerals would be acceptable....

When I was at uni I went to a 21st with a monochrome dress code. All the boys were in dinner jackets, girls in LBDs. When everyone had arrived and gathered in the marquee, the birthday girl made her entrance in a bright red dress.
I think she imagined it being dramatic and original, but actually she just looked a bit of a tit.

Goth it up to the nines, could be a lot of fun! Black feathers, silver jewellery, maybe a stole. Deep red lipstick. Steal the show.

I'd have 2nd hand embarrassment for her..

Can't imagine being that up your own arse.

Like I've said, I look like death wearing all black due to my hair and skin colouring.

It's a big milestone and I was looking forward to dressing up and buying a new dress for this. I'm not going to feel confident if I have to wear something I look awful in.

The wedding is in a cold place where the daytime temps are likely to be below freezing point. I also have a health condition that affects my circulation and I really feel the cold.

I've been advised by the groom to wear warm clothing as it will be cold.

But is it indoors?