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Original poster

Can you wear black to a wedding?

47 replies

lookatthestars · 08/12/2017 21:21

Anyone know if it's meant to be deemed unlucky or just inappropriate? Thanks!

OP posts:
PasstheStarmix · 08/12/2017 21:23

I'm sure in some cultures it's fine but to me it would be like going to a funeral but then again there's cultures that wear white to a funeral so they prob think that about our weddings!?!

PollyPerky · 08/12/2017 22:17

Why should it be either? White is worse as it competes with the bride.

PasstheStarmix · 08/12/2017 22:26

I was talking from the perspective of the bride sorry!

PasstheStarmix · 08/12/2017 22:27

Wearing black as a guest I wouldn't do as a wedding is a celebration and is made for colours....

onlyonaTuesday · 08/12/2017 22:28

I have worn black to two weddings.
The first time I was heavily pregnant and the only thing I was comfortable was a black dress.
Second time the bride requested all guests were black evening dresses.

LockedOutOfMN · 08/12/2017 23:40

In the U.S. it's fine as people wear evening dress. I would say all black might not go down well in U.K. although I've heard of monochrome themes, but a black dress with a coloured or white pattern/print would be fine, as would a black dress with a coloured jacket or wrap or shoes and handbag?

SymbollocksInteractionism · 08/12/2017 23:43

Yes of course it is.

Stinkbomb · 08/12/2017 23:55

I wore black to a wedding - it was November, I was heavily pregnant, asked the bride first, accented with a ‘colour’ - my STBXH was usher. All good, so far - very close friends.
Until STBXH left me for her a few years later, she left her H for him.
In that experience, black wasn’t great news but tbh there was a lot more that caused it than me just earring black dress on that day!

Panting · 08/12/2017 23:55

No. Rude.

mrsmildred · 09/12/2017 07:40

FFS, of course it's fine, there is a world of difference between a black outfit for a funeral and one for a wedding. Or wearing all black to work. Especially for an autumn or winter wedding, I've been to many (last one a few weeks ago) and there were plenty of guests in varying levels of black. Not just the odd person, plenty.

For a wedding, you'd wear black as lace, or satin or velvet, with higher or more blingy heels and dressier jewellery. Maybe a faux fur coat or stole if it's a winter wedding. Then of course it doesn't have to be all black, it could be one colour on a dress, of the accessories and shoes could be a different colour.

Also, not everyone can afford to buy completely new outfits for weddings, especially if they are a periferal guest - outside of the family party. Lots of people of something black in their wardrobes that can be smartened and dress up for a wedding to save buying a whole new outfit.

The celebration of a wedding is turning up and wishing the couple well with a bang on party and lots of laughs. Nobody cares what some random guest is wearing.

AuntieStella · 09/12/2017 07:44

It isn't to me, and it isn't to a lit of people. However there are also plenty of people who don't mind.

If you absolutely know the service is going to be predominantly 'don't minders' then you'll get away with it. Otherwise, choose a colour.

Ditto avoid fur (real or real-looking) unless you absolutely know the majority do not mind (which is quite unlikely)

mrsmildred · 09/12/2017 07:47

I meant black faux fur, not real looking. Coloured faux fur is one of the biggest trends of the season.

user789653241 · 09/12/2017 07:47

Not rude in my culture. Parents of bride and groom traditionally wear black.
I wore black dress to my sisters wedding.

VegasJuice · 09/12/2017 07:48

Yes. You can wear whatever you like and whatever makes you feel excellent.

Paintbox · 09/12/2017 07:49

Why would avoiding faux fur be necessary?? I don’t get that at all. I know you said real looking but most faux fur tries to look real, what’s the problem with that?

MaisyPops · 09/12/2017 08:01

Head to toe in black seems odd to me for a wedding.

But a nice dress with black and a print is fine and a black dress but with coloured accessories is also fine to me.

mrsmildred · 09/12/2017 08:26

By the way, the only people who should "mind" is the bridal couple, and only then if they have explicitly stated a dress colour code, because they don't think black is appropriates or simply because they have a colour theme, whatever.

We call have opinions and preferences, obviously, but no wedding guest has any business to "mind" one way or the other what another wedding guest is or isn't wearing. This isn't top trumps, this is a celebration of mutual friends happiness and affirmation of their commitment to each other.

BertrandRussell · 09/12/2017 08:30

No.

Crumbs1 · 09/12/2017 08:31

Not ideal for a summer wedding but otherwise a nice black linen dress and jacket with a brighter hat and shoes to brighten it up are fine.

smurfy2015 · 09/12/2017 08:36

I wore mostly black to a wedding at beginning of Sept but accessorised with
coloured shoes (flat for my personal comfort,
handbag,
lace gloves (madonna mid 80s style)
hair fascinator,
temporary hair colour in that same colour that morning (used uv hair chalk which was brilliant when disco started lol),
lipstick to bring it up,
a charm bracelet of things that mean something to me that my wrist is too wide for on a different type "rope" chain around my neck under the sheer top so each part visable and meaningful to me the cotton "rope" also dyed to match my colour scheme,
dangly earrings in same colour to pull all together &
a chiffon scarf tied at my neck but left to hang down my back

The black top in itself was black velour with a silver shimmer thru it and sheer sweetheart top with sleeves, the trousers were a pair of black satin skinny jeans
So if i said i wore a black top and skinny jeans i would prob sound awful but it was very dressy when all put together and most of all was very comfortable as due to various illnesses and conditions that is a major factor for me.

So I would say go for the black if thats what you are comfortable in whatever it is, but add something to bring a pop of colour to your outfit, hope some of this gives you ideas or helps in some way

SheepyFun · 09/12/2017 08:45

A black dress or similar is fine; I'd ask myself if the entire outfit is one I'd wear to a funeral. If so, it probably isn't right for a wedding. But a black dress with bright accessories is fine (in my opinion).

yellowplumpreserves · 09/12/2017 09:47

If you accessorise it with something brighter, I think it would be fine. I've seen this done at weddings. Haven't done it myself as black isn't a great colour for me.

Deathraystare · 09/12/2017 09:58

I think black and white is ok but solid black looks a bit "should have been me" kind of a protest!

junebirthdaygirl · 09/12/2017 10:15

My dd told me l couldnt wear black to a wedding so l left my beautiful black dress and wore an ok one. Arrived at the wedding to find at least 10 guests in black, young and old . So do whatever suits you.

Lottapianos · 09/12/2017 15:50

I went to a winter wedding a couple of years ago and there was loads of black and loads of fake fur. So long as you look smart, dressy and like you've made an effort, you're fine. Thinking that a wedding guest in black is staging some kind of protest or objection sounds bonkers to me!

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