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Wearing a white dress to a wedding has been a contentious issue for over a century. The tradition of the white wedding dress began with Queen Victoria's marriage to Prince Albert in 1840. Since then, the bride has been expected to wear white, and guests have been discouraged from doing the same. However, with evolving wedding dress codes, some couples are opting for unique attire requests, such as an all-white theme. So, is it ever acceptable to wear a white dress to a wedding?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Acceptability of wearing a white dress to a wedding | Not acceptable unless the couple has explicitly requested it |
| Reasons | The bride may wear white; it is her colour for the day; it is considered rude and disrespectful; it is a fashion faux pas |
| Exceptions | If the couple has requested all guests wear white; if the dress is not predominantly white |
| Alternatives | Silver, champagne, blush, pale blue, medium-tone beige |
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What You'll Learn
It's considered rude to wear white to a wedding
It is generally considered rude to wear white to a wedding. This tradition is thought to have started with Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress when she married Prince Albert in 1840. Brides subsequently began copying her style, and the colour has since been reserved for them alone. Wedding planner Brandi Hamerstone advises that "you don't want to be mistaken for the bride in a white or lace gown" and that "you don't want to [...] look as though you were attempting to look bridal on someone else's day".
It is important to respect the bride's wishes on her wedding day. As bridal stylist Gabrielle Hurwitz says, "if you're a stickler for etiquette, then you should also avoid wearing colours similar to white". This includes colours like ivory, cream, silver, champagne, blush, and pale blue, which can appear white in photographs. Even if your dress is not pure white, it is best to avoid anything that could be mistaken for a bridal gown, such as lace and tulle fabrics.
There are, however, some instances where it may be acceptable to wear white. If the couple has specifically requested that guests wear white, then it is usually fine to do so. This will typically be mentioned in the invitation and on the wedding website. If you are still unsure, it is best to err on the side of caution and choose a different colour. As bridal stylist Katie Hubbard advises, "the only time it is okay to wear white to a wedding is when the bride has said so. Otherwise, steer clear".
If you are considering wearing a printed dress with white elements, it is important to consider the ratio of colour to white. A dress with a white base and coloured print should be avoided, whereas a predominantly coloured dress with a white print is probably fine. It is also worth considering the length of your outfit—a knee-length dress or skirt is less likely to be seen as a bridal outfit. Ultimately, if you are questioning whether your outfit has too much white, it is best to choose something else.
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The bride might request guests wear white
It is generally frowned upon for guests to wear white to a wedding, with the colour usually being reserved for the bride alone. This tradition is thought to have started with Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress when she married Prince Albert in 1840. Since then, the colour white has held a special meaning for brides in many cultures.
However, there may be instances where the bride requests that guests wear white. This might be the case if the couple is requesting a themed party, such as an all-white attire theme. If the couple does request that guests wear white, this will typically be mentioned in the invitation and on the wedding website. If there is no such request from the couple, it is best to avoid wearing white to a wedding.
If you are still unsure about whether or not to wear a white dress, you can try polling a few friends, especially those who are engaged or married, to get their opinion. You can also add a bright pop of colour to your outfit, such as a belt, earrings, or chunky statement jewellery, to make it clear that you are not trying to dress like a bride. Ultimately, the most important thing to keep in mind as a guest at a wedding is to not upstage or upset the bride.
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White with a print or colour can be okay
Wearing white to a wedding that is not your own has been frowned upon for over a century. The tradition of the white wedding dress began with Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840, and since then, the colour has been reserved for the bride alone. However, there are some instances where wearing white with a print or colour can be okay.
One rule of thumb to follow is that if the base of the dress is white and the print is another colour, it should be avoided. On the other hand, a colourful dress with white on the print is probably fine to wear. It is important to consider the ratio of colour to white in the dress. A large-scale print on a white background, with a 75-25 colour-to-white ratio, is more acceptable. Adding a pop of colour with accessories like a belt, earrings, or statement jewellery can also help.
The length of the outfit also matters. A knee-length pale blush or ice blue dress for cocktail attire is more acceptable than a long gown, which could be seen as too bridal. The fabric is also important, with lace and tulle being more traditional bridal fabrics.
Taking photos of the garment in different lighting setups can help determine if the dress will photograph as white. Dresses that look darker in photos than in real life can help skirt the no-white rule.
Ultimately, the best rule of thumb is to avoid any clothing that could be mistaken for bridal wear. If you have to question whether a print or colour is too close to white, it is best to err on the side of caution and choose something else.
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White details or patterns are usually a no-go
It is generally advised that guests avoid wearing white to a wedding, with some sources stating that this rule also applies to all wedding-related events, such as bridal showers, welcome parties, and rehearsal dinners. This is because the colour white is often reserved for the bride alone, and wearing it as a guest could be seen as attempting to upstage or upset her.
Some sources suggest that certain colours, such as silver, champagne, blush, and pale blue, can also be problematic as they can appear white in photographs. It is recommended that if you are unsure about a colour, you should take several photos of the garment in different lighting setups to see how it will appear on camera.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to respect the wishes of the couple getting married. If they have not specified any particular dress code or colour palette, it is usually safest to avoid wearing white or any colours that could be perceived as too similar to white.
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White is reserved for the bride
It is generally considered improper for guests to wear white to a wedding. The tradition of the white wedding dress began with Queen Victoria, who wore a white satin gown when she married Prince Albert in 1840. Since then, white has been reserved for the bride alone. Wedding and event planner Kimberly Lehman says, "The tradition of the white wedding dress began when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840. Victoria selected a white satin gown lavishly embellished with lace that was handcrafted in England. After the photographs of the wedding were widely published, brides began copying Victoria's style by wearing white gowns to their own nuptials."
While it is not uncommon for guests to want to wear white, it is important to respect the bride's wishes and avoid wearing white or any colours that could be mistaken for white. This includes ivory, cream, silver, champagne, blush, and pale blue, which can often be photographed as white. If you are unsure about a particular colour, it is best to avoid it and choose another option. As bridal stylist Gabrielle Hurwitz advises, "If you're unsure of a color, take several photos of the garment in different lighting setups (natural daylight, dim light, candlelight, etc) to see how it reads on camera."
It is also important to consider the style of the dress, as certain fabrics and designs can appear more bridal. Lace, for example, is often associated with wedding gowns and should be avoided by guests. Wedding planner Brandi Hamerstone cautions against wearing a white or lace gown, as "you don't want to be mistaken for the bride...You don't want to stand with the bride and look as though you were attempting to look bridal on someone else's day."
Ultimately, the most important thing for guests to keep in mind is to respect the bride's wishes and avoid upstaging her on her special day. Wedding dress designer Madeline Gardner advises, "When you're a guest at a wedding, the most important thing to keep in mind is not to upstage or upset the bride." If you are still unsure about what to wear, it is always best to err on the side of caution and choose a different colour or style.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not okay to wear a white dress to a wedding unless the couple has explicitly stated that guests can wear white.
It's best to avoid wearing off-white, ivory, cream, silver, champagne, blush, or pale blue to a wedding, as these colours can be mistaken for white and may cause confusion.
If your dress has a small amount of white, it's probably fine to wear, especially if the main colour is dark or vibrant.
