Is it ok to wear black to a wedding?

[lovelychops]

I'm off to one of my oldest friends weddings next month and I don't have any spare cash to buy something new. Looking through my wardrobe to source possible options I've come across a smart black dress with white spots on. (Looks a lot nicer than it sounds...!)

Was thinking due to the chilly weather could wear it with my smart fitted black blazer, but then I've been thinking is black OK for a wedding? Or a bit doom and gloom? Especially as it's summer?

Thought about brightening outfit with bright accessories, shoes bag etc. Or, is it back to the drawing board?

What's the S&B verdict?

Thanks!

I personally don't think it would be an issue especially with a few feature accessories. If in doubt ask your friend who's wedding it is tho.

I think black to a wedding is fine (most men's suits are black!) as long as you are not the mother of the groom.. In this instance I would think it inappropriate!!

As long as you don't spend the ceremony weeping and whispering "it should have been me", then black is fine.

not related to the bride, and certainly not crying in the corner wishing it was me !! Thanks ladies

I think it would look wrong, especially plain black jacket.

No one would mention this to you on the day, of course.

Do you know the bridal party's views? Unless you know they'd be OK, and don't personally find it unlucky or distasteful, then swerve it. There's no point in trying to find out if you don't already know, as if asked directly the only possible answer is 'it's fine' regardless of true feelings.

I think black at a wedding is a no-no, sorry.

If it has white spots it will be fine. I think for plain black outfits, so long as you accessorise in a way that makes it not look too nightclubby or too funereal you can just about get away with it.

Black is fine at weddings now, in fact it is quite a common sight.

I disagree, there is always a lot of chuntering about black (or white/ivory etc) at weddings. It won't reach the ears of the wearer, though.

There are so many other colours. OP, the dress might be OK, but I'd say the black jacket really is a no no (save it for a funeral). Can you substitute a coloured jacket?

I'd agree that the black dress is fine but not black jacket. I wore a black dress (with cream / red flowers) to my sister's wedding but wore it with a cream jacket and cream / red shoes to lighten it up. Lots of people were in black and white actually.

I think black is fine, but I would check with the bride just is case. I wouldn't wear a black blazer with it though.

Personally I think that black is a no no at weddingd. However, the white spots do break it up a bit. You can add a red cardigan or padhmina and red shoes?

Thanks for the advice ladies. I'm guessing the general feeling is without the blazer, unfortunately I don't have anything similar that is smart so it may be back to the drawing board. Although maybe the weather will pick up and I won't need a jacket?
(hopeful)
(doubtful)

The spots are quite big on the dress by the way...

clutches at straws

Well, considering money is tight and I wouldn't trust this climate of ours, what about a great big white silk flower on the jacket lapel and/or a really lovely scarf draped round? Just something to break the black up a bit up top.

Think black to a wedding is fine, even with the blazer also being black. As long as you aren't also weeping and wearing a dramatic black veil I can't see the issue.

Oops, one too many 'also's' in that post .

Next have a really nice off white jacket that would lift the dress, reasonably priced and you'd get plenty of wear out of it over the summer here www.next.co.uk/x49282s5

How about red accessories? Maybe a belt, shoes and a wrap? Without seeing the dress I imagine red might go.

My summer wedding outfit this year is getting black shoes and almost certainly a black shrug or jacket, over a metallic bronze red and purple dress.

I often see black being worn by people walking from the church to the big hotel in town, who are clearly wedding guests.

I wore a black maxi dress at my brother's wedding, with a green shrug and green shoes

I wore a black dress with red thru it (about 60/40) to two weddings and it looked fine. I've never actually been at a wedding - ever, even in summer - where there weren't at least 2 black outfits.

But agree that your dress sounds like it might be nice with a red or white jacket. Could you borrow one?

I'm getting married this summer and I won't give two hoots if someone turns up in a black bin liner, let alone a lovely sounding black spotty dress. I'd much rather someone wore something they already own & like than spent money on something they wouldn't wear agian.

That said, if you do want to get a different jacket, try eBay. I've had several 99p bargains recently.

Thanks so much for all the suggestions! I'm off for a look on ebay for a different jacket, if not will go down the bright accessories route and / or nice flowerfor the jacket. Thank you

Totally depends. I went a wedding recently where the best dressed woman by a mile was wearing a black dress with violet accessories. She looked amazing.

I have worn black with green wrap and a big green flower- no way it looked funereal!