Poll: Is it acceptable to wear a black dress to a church wedding?

[notnowbernard]

Or is this a big No No?

It would be very handy if it is acceptable

I wouldn't wear black to a wedding. Having said that, I went to a wedding last year where all the briedesmaids were wearing black dresses

i think i mean bridesmaids - an extra "e" got in there somehow

my MIL wore black to my wedding!

i wouldnt have a problem with it and in fact i had one or two women at my wedding who wore black accessorised with something bright ie, hat bag etc and i thought they looked lovely especially in comparison to my DHs auntie who wore a longish white dress with gold sparkles on it she even tried to stand next to me on one of the pics!! the photographer told her to move though so all was not lost (FWIW everyone thought she was a male smackhead in drag which brightened up a somewhat gloomy moment)
as long as you dont turn up in a wedding dress i would have thought you will be ok
xx ei xx

I have done, but with a pale jacket and hat. In the end, it was so hot, that I took off the jacket and hat and was just wearing the black dress and no one seemed to mind at all, in fact I had a few positive comments on my appearance.

So long as your black dress isn't of the Morticia/Queen Victoria/ widow's weeds variety, I can't see it being a problem but I would have pale or bright accessories to go with it.

Black is fine. But the last two weddings I attended were in California, and the bridesmaids wore red at one, black at the other. Plenty of guests were in black, as it was a formal evening wedding.

I think black is fine, with the proviso that others have given that you use bright accessories.

I think various people wore black or black and something dresses to my wedding, and they all looked glamourous and gorgeous.

I am wearing a black dress to a wedding on Saturday, accessorised with dark red jewellry and nail varnish

But given that I am seven months pregnant and that Mothercare seem to think that black is the only colour for a dress, my options were limited.

I will not look glamorous, I will look like a large marine mammal. But hopefully not one on its way to a funeral.

Hoonette - you've obviously got an excuse.

For the op, I'd say black is generally frowned upon, although if it's a bit of black worn with other colours it's not so bad.

yes I have.

Do you know the bride well? I think it is a very personal thing (given the varied opinions here) and so at the end of the day would she think it was okay? - then go with that.

Well I wore black and white so bad on both counts. I really don't think it matters. What does matter is that you have made an effort and scrubbed up a bit

Both black and white are a bit of imo, there are so many other colours out there, why risk causing offence? No one will say anything to your face though, they,ll just bitch and moan behind your back. My friend's mil wore funeral black to her son's wedding, top to toe, the message was very clear.

I went to a wedding on friday and one of the guests wore a black dress with a white belt and black and white hat.

I wore a black skirt and black and cream top with a black hat and heels, with a cream pashmina. Another guest wore black and white and another black, white and red. The bridesmaids wore pink with black sash for little ones and the older bridesmaids wore black full length dresses too.

I really don't see the problem tbh

I probably wouldn't wear all black, but a black dress with coloured accessories is fine imo

Oh yes.

yes, it's fine

it's not 1860

avoid a completely black outfit though

its acceptable. just expect dirty looks!

My bridesmaids wore black dresses and looked fabulous!
It was all very "old Hollywood" in looks, very glam!
It was an evening wedding in winter though, so I don't know if that makes a difference!

if it is an upper middle class, somewhere between Boden through Aquascutum up to Dior wedding, then you'll be fine and everyone will glance admiringly; if it is more of a lower middle class, Marks and Spencers, through Coast and right down to Bon Marche kind of a wedding, then people will look askance and bitch about you to fat aunties and grannies will have to be fanned. Give em something to talk about between course though.

I generally do, but I don't go to 'English' weddings, so I'm not sure of the rules there (there does seem to be an awful lot of rules imo!) I can't see the problem if it's followed by a posh reception (I bet some of the reception only people will drag out the 'little black dress'!)

Surely people wouldn't really frown on this would they?? Won't they be looking at the bride anyway?

I have worn a black dress (whilst pregnant) to a wedding and had lovely accessories and hair fascinator etc. Seemed very acceptable to all guests!

I'd go for it - do you have a link? what style of dress is it??

Divided opinion then...

I have no idea how to do a link to something

I have worn the dress to a black tie do before, so it is smart enough, just not sure if it is too glam and a bit evening-y for the churchy bit, IYSWIM

What are hair fascinators? Those clip things with wonderful tassles and feathers and things attached?

I've worn black before, it's fine imo.

I wouldn't frown on it at all, wouldn't occur to me.

I have worn black and white combos to two weddings - one last year (with black bridesmaids so clearly the bride has no problem with black and one a few years ago. Black and white dress, white jacket, black hat, black shoes, black bag. I think I looked very chic on both occasions.

I think just white is not on, but black and black and white fine.