Wearing black dress to wedding?

[mootie]

Got a wedding in a couple of weeks, reasonably formal ("black tie optional" on the invite, whatever that means). The bride is in her late 30s, and wearing grey, apparently. I have a lovely black velvet dress that fits in all the right places, and a gold/bronze sequined shrug. With tights and some flats, would that be ok? All my other dresses are more suitable to spring/summer weather.

a friend wore a black dress to my wedding with a cream shrug and she looked stunning and really stood out on the photos.

If you like it then wear it, I'm sure you'll look fab

I wore a black velvet dress to a winter wedding and I wasn't the only one in black. I think it'll be ok as your accessories will stop you looking like you are attending a funeral.

dress sounds lovely with shrug. you probably don't want to wear heels, but you could get some gold coloured ballet shoes to match? cheap metallic flats in lots of shops at the moment...just a thought...and you could get one of the more spring like dresses out just incase it's a really nice day and then you'd be well prepared.

I once wore a black dress to a wedding with a cream shrug, cream shoes, accessories etc and, if I say so myself, it looked rather good! I think it'll be fine. You'll look lovely. Enjoy

Ta!

Sorry to sat, I think wearing black to a wedding is bad form - isn't the bride supposed to stand out in the wedding photos ?

Racquel Welsh upstaged her daughter by wearing black as well.

My MIL wore black ( mutton dressed as lamb) & a few comments were made. Interestingly she is wearing cream to her other sons wedding - other no-no in wedding etiquette.

Your gold shrug sounds lovely, could you match it with something else ?

I couldn't wear black to a wedding alhtough I have noticed more people doing so.

My sister wore black to two weddings [one of them our brother's] and she looked stunning! She had the most amazing wrap/shawl full of sequins & beads, everyone commented on how nice it was

How does wearing black stop the bride standing out?
All the men will in black suits.
Surely wearing white or cream will detract from the bride more than black?
(I had my bridesmaids in chocolate brown so I stood out even more )

I wouldn't wear black, white, cream, green (it's unlucky) or anything too shiny to a wedding. But I'm very traditional about these things and would hate to offend the wedding party if they shared these values.

Mrs Badger - black & white are the most prominent colours when photographed so it is seen to be 'upstaging the bride'.

And I suppose it may also have some history in the fact that women only used to wear black for mourning.

you're more considerate than me NorksBride - never even consider avoiding green as a wedding guest...

i'd check with the bride if it is def black tie (I guess so if it is mainly in the evening) and then I think lots of people will be wearing black with sparkly shrugs etc. It happens quite a lot in the states i think.

if any doubt, don't as you may feel uncomfortable.

FWIW I got married a couple of years ago and Mum and my sister both wore black and I didn't mind one jot. If you can check with bride, do as some people are a bit funny about such things, and also if she's fine with it then if others dare to raise eyebrows (as my lovely but opinionated aunt did!) at least you'll feel comfortable that you aren't upsetting the couple (whose opinions are reallyt he only ones that matter at that point imho).

(ps have only read OP, apols if repeating)

Since it is an evening do, and the bride is breaking with tradition by wearing grey, I'm sure you'll be fine!

Thanks for the comments. As the weather is so nice, I think I might be going for the spring option, which is a peachy/pinky dress. Thus avoiding the whole problem. Yay! I did go into monsoon the other day and was very tempted by many dresses. Shame I am broke.