Too white for a wedding guest dress?

[EndlessCupsofSugaryTea]

I have my eye on this for a spring wedding. I love prints, it’s silk and is in the sale - perfect combination.

However, I showed it to my mother and she said “But it’s white!” in a horrified way. I was bewildered. I don’t believe most people’s first thought on looking at this would be “white”. To me, it’s all about the print - and in any case, the background looks more cream to me.

I love it, but not for the first time, my mother has created a nagging doubt. Would anyone really think I was trying to look remotely bridal in this?

Asking whether someone is ND is nasty? But that would indicate it’s something “bad”

my son has adhd. I don’t regard it as anything to be ashamed of. However it does explain certain things and responses adapt accordingly

This one is dullsville compared to the one in the OP. Awful.

It's a beautiful dress but it looks like something an older/2nd time bride or someon trying to avoid the meringue look would wear. I agree with your mum, it's not appropriate.

No, listen to your Mum’s advice.

A little note we received in a wedding invite.
Please don’t be mean
Only the Bride should be seen
in white or cream!

My Aunt still turned up in a white flouncy maxi dress, huge white hat, white shoes/bag. She’s now known as Miss Haversham. Miss H for short. She looked an absolute fool, the Photographer was amazing and moved her to the back of the professional photos.

I think its fine for a wedding

I think it’s a stunning dress but I wouldn’t wear it to a wedding. It’s a pain when you’d love to wear it!

It’s not that nice a dress to justify potentially upsetting a bride.

I love it, and don't see a problem with wearing it. It's a regular day dress and not in the least bit bridal.

When we got married, I wouldn't have even noticed if anyone wore something like this, let alone cared. You know your bride, though, OP!

Hmm, if someone posted that dress and said second wedding I intend to wear this, if you’d respond and say nah it’s a day dress and not remotely bridal. Some how I doubt it,

I don’t think the two dresses are remotely similar, tbh.

The one you linked here is predominantly floral and has a bold pattern, with a small amount of cream offsetting it. Plus it’s not bridal style.

The one from the OP is made of silk, in a bridal shape and predominantly cream with small floral embellishments at the side.

Also, as a PP mentioned, in photos the floral sides of the OP’s dress could end up covered, making it look like a plain cream dress.

Personally I wouldn’t be that bothered - but etiquette around wedding wear isn’t a new thing. Your linked dress is fine, the OP’s not, imo.

I’ve added photos for a side-by-side comparison. They look very different, vibe-wise.

Beautiful dress, my rule of thumb is: if you have to ask if it's too bridal, then that's the sign to keep shopping around.

Also a mother of ND children so no I don't think being ND is "bad" but the way in which you asked came across as nasty.

Don’t do it….people will talk

Ugh.

That would make me want to wear white! And probably be sick on the bride as well. Utterly cringe- inducing.

Feel your pain as I love a white/cream dress with a print on top for spring/summer, but definitely wouldn't wear it for a wedding. And if I saw someone wearing this at a wedding I'd think they'd been insensitive to the bride!

I can imagine a bride choosing this, depending on the wedding. So based on that, I say no.

Are you ND? What can incredibly odd comment?

@EndlessCupsofSugaryTea its fine for a wedding.

I went to several weddings last year, all fairly dressed up affairs. Plenty of guests wearing pale coloured dresses, and white dresses with various prints and decoration. Nobody batted an eyelid, and of course it was obvious that the wearers weren't trying to look bridal or 'outshine' the brides.

Personally, I wasn't fussed what colour clothes my friends were wearing; I was just happy that they were there.
Just send the image to the bride and ask her :)

There will be two schools of thought. Either it’s a white dress with flowers… or it’s a floral dress. You don’t know which the bride will fall into so not worth the risk

No, I don't think that's acceptable for a wedding guest.

It's very pretty but too white for a wedding imho.

You have every shade other than white to choose from for this occasion. Let the bride wear white. You wear something else.

That's a lovely stylish wedding dress for an older or less conventional bride you'll look gorgeous. Have you seen the episode of Derry Girls where Sarah wears a wedding dress to her cousins wedding? You really should it'll give you some great tips of blasting through the fall out.

I agree with this. Someone could easily wear this as their wedding dress for a low key wedding. You would be looking more bridal than the bridesmaids - it's too much.

In my experience when people post "is this OK to wear for a wedding" the answer is no. If they need to ask it's no. If it was an ordinary wedding guest dress then there would be no need to ask. The people that say it's fine often follow with "I don't believe in not wearing white to a wedding" but that is basic manners for most people.

I don't think it is only about now wearing white to a wedding - it is also about not looking like you are trying to steal the show. For a guest at a wedding the day is not about them and they should be aiming to be a background character in photos not the star of the show.