Red for a wedding?

PollyIndia · 2023-06-27T16:23:24+00:00

I've got a wedding in a few weeks. Boyfriend's friends, so I don't know many people. I've got this crimson ruched Norma Kamali dress I want to wear with a cream blazer and sparkly shoes and earrings. Too much? I know bright red can be iffy for a wedding...

BeCruelToBeKind · 27/06/2023 17:44

I don’t really think that’s wedding guest attire tbh.
You aren’t supposed to dress in a way that takes attention from the bride and groom on their big day, it’s a bit ‘look at me’.
https://metro.co.uk/2022/01/12/dont-upstage-the-bride-correct-etiquette-for-wedding-guest-outfits-15899044/

Don't upstage the bride: The correct etiquette for wedding guest outfits

To wear or not to wear?

https://metro.co.uk/2022/01/12/dont-upstage-the-bride-correct-etiquette-for-wedding-guest-outfits-15899044/

Apprenticenomore · 27/06/2023 17:45

It’s absolutely fine…it wouldn’t make me look at you more than I would the bride!

Original poster

PollyIndia · 27/06/2023 17:58

Tbf, my boyfriend is the celebrant in a tiger print cape, so it's not a totally traditional wedding...
Currently 50/50... I'll see if there are any more opinions! I don't think the dress is comparable to that black extreme cutout one, ha

OP posts:

mondaytosunday · 27/06/2023 18:01

With a blazer on for the ceremony then off for the reception seems fine to me.

BorneoBound · 27/06/2023 18:02

The red isn't a problem at all. However I don't like the dress for a wedding, it looks more like something I'd expect to see in a club.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 27/06/2023 18:04

PollyIndia · 27/06/2023 17:58

Tbf, my boyfriend is the celebrant in a tiger print cape, so it's not a totally traditional wedding...
Currently 50/50... I'll see if there are any more opinions! I don't think the dress is comparable to that black extreme cutout one, ha

In that case, it's him who might take attention away from the bride! Looks great, hope you have a lovely time.

ThatFraggle · 27/06/2023 18:05

I know a lot of people don't ascribe meaning to outfit colours in wedding guests, but a lot still do, and red means 'I slept with the groom.'

Bright red is also a bit 'look at me' when it is one day for the bride to be the center of attention.

Dotcheck · 27/06/2023 18:10

That would look amazing next to a leopard print cape!!

Topictwenty · 27/06/2023 18:10

I just don’t get the colour thing at weddings. If anyone actually thinks red means you’ve slept with the groom, they should give themselves a long hard talking too, it’s complete and utter nonsense

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 27/06/2023 18:12

Read the OP's update. This is not a traditional wedding.

I often think if people paid attention to all the various rules mentioned on S&B about wedding attire, the only acceptable garment would be a beige sacklike garment.
Black - funereal
White, cream, anything very pale - bridal
Red - I slept with the groom
Green - unlucky
Anything bright, lowcut or figure-hugging - will take attention away from the bride

Have I missed any?

BodyKeepingScore · 27/06/2023 18:13

ThatFraggle · 27/06/2023 18:05

I know a lot of people don't ascribe meaning to outfit colours in wedding guests, but a lot still do, and red means 'I slept with the groom.'

Bright red is also a bit 'look at me' when it is one day for the bride to be the center of attention.

Shit. I've been to two weddings with bridal party all in red. I thought it was because they were winter weddings, turns out they were all shagging the groom. Who knew?

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 27/06/2023 18:14

Polyamorous weddings?

midsomermurderess · 27/06/2023 18:15

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 27/06/2023 18:12

Read the OP's update. This is not a traditional wedding.

I often think if people paid attention to all the various rules mentioned on S&B about wedding attire, the only acceptable garment would be a beige sacklike garment.
Black - funereal
White, cream, anything very pale - bridal
Red - I slept with the groom
Green - unlucky
Anything bright, lowcut or figure-hugging - will take attention away from the bride

Have I missed any?

You haven’t used the word ‘attire’.

SpuffyForever · 27/06/2023 18:17

I think go for it! It's a lovely dress and with a cream blazer over it, very wedding-appropriate.
I wore something similar to my DSis's wedding.

StopFeckingFaffing · 27/06/2023 18:21

I really like the dress!

Its not a traditional wedding guest dress but I think it will be fine at a non convential wedding. I wouldn't wear it to a very old fashioned church followed by a country house style wedding but if its a fun, funky crowd then it will be fine.

Ghastisflabbered · 27/06/2023 18:27

StopFeckingFaffing · 27/06/2023 18:21

I really like the dress!

Its not a traditional wedding guest dress but I think it will be fine at a non convential wedding. I wouldn't wear it to a very old fashioned church followed by a country house style wedding but if its a fun, funky crowd then it will be fine.

Basically this.

Its a nice dress and will look great with a cream blazer but it’s not something I’d wear to a wedding unless I was good friends with the rest of the people going and knew it would be appropriate given what everyone else is wearing.

And generally I think if you’re uncomfortable enough to ask if it’s appropriate then you probably shouldn’t wear it.

bunnybunnybunnybunny · 27/06/2023 18:37

It's more than fine for a wedding - have seen this and other similar Norma Kamali dresses at quite a few weddings I've attended. Indeed, I wore the one-shoulder pale blue version to a wedding last year, and intend to wear it again to a wedding in NYC next month.

shadowchancesassy · 27/06/2023 18:41

Perfectly fine to wear that.

Whataretheodds · 27/06/2023 18:47

ThatFraggle · 27/06/2023 18:05

I know a lot of people don't ascribe meaning to outfit colours in wedding guests, but a lot still do, and red means 'I slept with the groom.'

Bright red is also a bit 'look at me' when it is one day for the bride to be the center of attention.

LOL all the bridesmaids at my brother's wedding wore red.

FelixDoublyDelicious · 27/06/2023 18:54

ThatFraggle · 27/06/2023 18:05

I know a lot of people don't ascribe meaning to outfit colours in wedding guests, but a lot still do, and red means 'I slept with the groom.'

Bright red is also a bit 'look at me' when it is one day for the bride to be the center of attention.

Not exactly a guest, but my wedding dress was red...you know the rest

Hoppinggreen · 27/06/2023 18:55

Red generally ok but that dress is more clubby than wedding

moistclam · 27/06/2023 18:57

ThatFraggle · 27/06/2023 18:05

I know a lot of people don't ascribe meaning to outfit colours in wedding guests, but a lot still do, and red means 'I slept with the groom.'

Bright red is also a bit 'look at me' when it is one day for the bride to be the center of attention.

I was literally coming to write the same thing! I've definitely heard that, probably a bit of an old wives tale, but it stuck with me nonetheless and would definitely be reminded of that if I saw someone wearing OPs red dress. I might not necessarily believe it, but it'd definitely make me think 😂

On top of that it looks like one of those bodycon/skin hugging type dresses, which I just don't think are all that appropriate for a wedding, more so for a night out in town. I hope that doesn't sound like I'm insulting the dress OP, it's not bad at all, just not what I'd suggest for a wedding. This is of course just an opinion amongst thousands!

Original poster

PollyIndia · 27/06/2023 19:01

Thanks for all the input - still 50/50! It's not traditional, everyone is in tv or music there, but equally, I definitely want to feel confident in what I'm wearing. So maybe I'll wear something else (and let my boyfriend be the centre of attention in his cape - again!)

OP posts:

Pablova · 27/06/2023 19:35

It’s perfect for a non traditional wedding and would look great with a cream blazer and gold accessories.

It’s a damn sight better than most of the recommendations on ‘ what to wear to a wedding’ threads.

NatashaDancing · 27/06/2023 19:40

ThatFraggle · 27/06/2023 18:05

I know a lot of people don't ascribe meaning to outfit colours in wedding guests, but a lot still do, and red means 'I slept with the groom.'

Bright red is also a bit 'look at me' when it is one day for the bride to be the center of attention.

Nowhere outside of MN does wearing red mean "I slept with the groom"

Red is fine. I'm trying to be objective because it's not a style of dress I like, but yes I think it's fine for a wedding if you wear a jacket on top in church (or wherever the legal part is happening) and possibly also, if you can find a lightweight material, when you're sitting down to eat. Jacket can come off for dancing or if gets hot.