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 live in a place where winter temps go below freezing regularly, for long stretches. People wear coats outdoors and it's warm indoors thanks to heating. You don't have to wear long johns.

Indoors but I've been told both the church and reception venue are not that warm so I need to wrap up to look after myself.

If all the men wore black shirts it would look like a mafia wedding.

Everyone is being dramatic if you’ve been to a funeral you have a black outfit, wear that.

if you’re going for something new rent something stunning and if it’s indoors you don’t have to be wrapped up.

goths have been making pale skin and black work for decades, a nice face with a striking lip will be fine.

sometime give in to the camp and have fun rather than resisting and having a miserable one

Can you contact the venue yourself and ask what temp their heating is normally set at during the wedding month or for the average wedding? You could explain your predicament in general terms.

Churches are normally heated too.

Everyone is being dramatic if you’ve been to a funeral you have a black outfit, wear that.

I don’t wear black to funerals unless it’s been specifically requested. I wear plain dark or neutral colours. In fact the last funeral I went to we were asked to wear something purple as the deceased was a big Prince fan.

I went to a wedding where the guests were asked to wear all white. I got a cream trouser suit and that was close enough. The bride wore orange and pink, she was 7 months pregnant at the time, so that was quite original!

Compared to that wearing all black is pretty tame! If you hate the idea that much, then decline the invitation.

I can think of nothing worse.

Will anyone not wearing full black and not adhere to the rule, be denied entry?

Also there would be an instant highlight of any owners of light haired cats or Labradors. Let's hope those don't show up and spoil the IG pics. Oh And those who suffer with a bit of dandruff.

The IG pics will surely only be of the younger generation, as many of us of the more Middle age category know that after a certain age, black just washes many out. The pp re the Addams family is spot on.

I would decline the invite. When it is clear that the bride is more interested in the photos for the internet than in her real life guests I would have no interest in wasting a day on her behalf.

Life was far better before Instagram.

Don't go !

Rather than moan about it, just say no

Naff in the extreme. Also unoriginal and inconsiderate.
Only go if you find something flattering and comfortable to wear.

Everyone is being dramatic if you’ve been to a funeral you have a black outfit, wear that.
I've been to about 40 funerals. Never worn black. Don't own anything black except a pair of cheap work trousers.

Was this a joke? A bridezilla-type demand like this - indicating extreme self-centredness - would IMO be much more likely to ensure that the marriage doesn’t last long at all.

It's their day??

They want to even own what people wear?

It's still my day, even if they are happening to get married.

Would I go? No, I'd be totally embarrassed for them and really these type of self centred, insta, it's all about looks, just seem to me to not be taking the whole thing seriously and not a wedding I would attend!

I hate dress codes at weddings, it's very much saying to your guests "I don't care about your comfort and enjoyment as much as I care about my photos".

I mean, I look ropey in anything vaguely formal anyway, so in real terms it makes no odds to me 😁but I still think it's a dick move!

Can't she just have the photos taken in black and white? Seems easier all round.

I’ve been to a black tie wedding here in December. No need for thick tights & polo necks as there was heating & people had coats/jackets.

I really wish people would think these ideas through - all black will look awful in general, never mind some of the guests hating it/not suiting it. Does she think it will make her stand out more? It might, but not for the reason she thinks! Good luck finding an outfit you're happy with though.

It's a big milestone and I was looking forward to dressing up and buying a new dress for this.

OP, you are talking about this as if it's your own wedding. It's not your 'big milestone', it's your family member/ friend's.

You don't get a say in how it's meant to be. It's their wedding and their choice. You have two choices, which are to respect their wishes and wear black, or not go.

Also been to Jewish weddings & one in America where lots of guests wore plain black.

Sorry but I absolutely get to say what I wear to anything.........

I would no more be dictated to, than fly to the moon.

A request of, can you wear xxxx if you have something, I'd try. But only cone wearing black, no thanks!

Of course you get to choose. But it's rude to go dressed in something else when the dress code is black - so the other choice then is to not go.

They are putting on an event which they are paying for, so they get to do what they want.

Guests can choose not to go if they don't like it.

A wedding is a big milestone for the couple, it is not your wedding

If you don't want to go don't but I would wear what is asked

I live in a place where winter temps go below freezing regularly, for long stretches. People wear coats outdoors and it's warm indoors thanks to heating. You don't have to wear long johns.

Quite!

I don't own a black dress because I don't really wear much black.
I don't want to buy one and there's no clothes rental places where we live (sadly). I wouldn't welcome having to source a black dress (or any other all black and smart outfit).
Telling guests they have to wear any specific colour isn't ideal imho.