Is It Ok To Wear Black To A Wedding?
Once upon a time, a bride asked her maids, can you wear black to a wedding? Some gasped, some bat an eye, and some brought up the old weapon of the convention. Then all of them burst into a sing-song_
“There goes the bride, all dressed in white….”
The unconventional wishes of the wild bride got buried under, ‘what ought to be.’
This was a story I once heard from a wedding event executive, followed by her lamenting protest of how it is wrong, how we are still deciding upon wedding dresses based on age-old omens.
Now, there is one thing if the wedding is highly religious in a church, where both the partners are orthodox Catholics. However, regarding a non-religious wedding in the heart of an exotic beach, the question of can you wear black to a wedding shouldn’t be automatically dismissed.
The Ancient Omen Of Black In A Wedding
Before we get into the rights and wrongs of wearing black at a wedding, let’s take a peek at the history books of omens and superstitions.
The wedding itself has a few omens to follow.
“The bride cannot see the groom before the wedding.”
“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.”
“Never give knives as wedding gifts.”
So, what is the superstition behind wearing black at a wedding, and the meaning behind the color?
A black wedding dress is not essentially a sign of bad luck. However, years of bringing down superstition through word of mouth have taught us that.
Black cats are an omen, and so are black ravens!
However, in the history of superstitions, a black wedding dress is often worn by brides or wives in mourning. This is to honor the deceased. In general, black is the color of mourning in Christianity.
Since weddings are an auspicious event of new beginnings, the bride adorned with black can be seen as a reminder of death. So, the next time you hear a bride ask can you wear black in the wedding, this is behind the gasps of shock in unison.
Now, there is a reason, and you start defending your cause.
Is It Ok To Wear Black At A Wedding?
“Black will always be the new black.”
Whether it is our dearest princess Diana’s revenge dress or Ms. Jolie’s sexy slit in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, there is one thing in common, the color black. Whether you agree or not, it is “gorgeous.”
So, wearing a black wedding dress is not a conventional choice, but it is the sexiest. Some iconic black dresses were worn by strong female characters and individuals. It is no surprise that many are asking whether is it ok to wear black to a wedding?
However, when people are asking this question, they are not often the bride. This brings us to a different direction in the article. is it ok to wear black to a wedding?”
Let’s discuss this further.
Are You The Bride?
Here is why you should or should not wear black to a wedding before you ask, “can you wear black to a wedding.”
Why You Should?
⦿ You absolutely adore the color.
⦿ Got the perfect dress for your special occasion.
⦿ The people around you do not really mind. Because no matter how much you wish to fuel your will, you are getting married to your partner. Their concerns sometimes do matter.
⦿ Your venue would fit perfectly with the black attire.
Why You Should Not?
⦿ Your finance is not very keen on the idea, and they are trying to convince you why you shouldn’t rationally.
⦿ The theme wouldn’t go with the black dress, and it will make you stand out in a bad way.
⦿ You didn’t find “the dress” in color. There is no point in being adamant on your wedding day. After all, the end goal is to look beautiful on your special day.
Can You Wear A Black Dress To A Wedding?
Now, keeping the bride’s perspective aside, we will concentrate on the guest list and if anyone is willing to wear a black dress. So if you find yourself asking this question upon finding an excellent black dress for your best friend’s wedding-
Can you wear black to a wedding?
Then here is your guide to wearing one.
⦿ Go all black and simple but elegant.
⦿ Do not go all rogue with an outlandish couture outfit. No, we are not saying that you can’t wear it, but this is not your place to shine.
⦿ Match it with colored accessories. Do not go all black, as if you are in mourning.
Is It Rude As A Guest?
All the overthinkers out there might be hovering over these questions. “can you wear black to a wedding” or “Or, will it be rude or disrespectful as a guest to wear black to a wedding?”
The answer is Yes, & No.
No, when there is no specified theme mentioned. You can literally wear any color you want; after all, you are not the bride.
Yes, it will be rude if there is a given theme or color code mentioned in the invitation, and you decide to defy it with the most controversial color out there.
However, the color white is more offensive than the color black. Since it resembles purity and is the color of the bride, you will not only look disrespectful or someone trying too hard to outshine the bride.
What About Black Tie Weddings?
Black tie weddings are a common wedding theme, where women are expected to be wearing black cocktail dresses, and men are supposed to come in a suit and black tie.
At these weddings, you do not even have to clarify by asking whether can you wear black to a wedding.
You absolutely should!
The Season & Time Matters
For the bride and the guest wearing black requires a lot of planning. You can wear it depending on the season, theme, and time. For example, many would suggest you do not wear black to a daylight wedding. However, when it comes to a cocktail wedding party, we hardly doubt a guest would bat an eye if the bride is wearing black, and vice versa.
During the fall season, the season of witches cackling and cauldrons brewing, you wouldn’t need much permission to choose the color black. Just choose a very fall and Halloween-centric theme for your wedding, and rock your black veil.
So, the next time you ask a conservative relative if can you wear black to a wedding, don’t!
Rather make better plans if you really want to.
The Location Plays A Part
When we talk about metropolitan areas like New York or Boston, it is nothing new to see women rocking a little black dress or a gown at weddings. There are multiple movies that have also proved that it is totally okay to do so. However, when you move further down to the South, it is not as common for the guests to wear black. So, if you are attending a wedding in this region at all, it is better that you stick to something colorful and something that is not black.
Think About The Length And The Fabric
Not every black dress is made the same. Be it the bride or the guests, black can always be an option. But it mainly depends on how they get to execute it. Black, without any doubt, is the most elegant color that a woman can wear. But, because black absorbs too much heat, it is better to avoid it if it is a beach or outdoor wedding.
If you are sure about wearing black, check the cut and length of your dress. Black is very chic, but you do not want to look overdressed. Depending on the time and location, you would want to alter the cuts and length of your dress, too.
Keep Things Festive
While black is indeed an amazing choice, it does not mean that the formal pencil skirt that you wear for office dinners is also preferable for weddings. You can do it this way. If you pick up a dress that appears like you can wear to an interview or at work, you had better pick another one.
Just because you can wear black does not mean you can wear anything in black. It is important to keep in mind that it is, after all, a wedding, and it is all about keeping things a bit festive.
Account For the Traditions
In some cultures, it is not very preferable to wear black to weddings. The Indian or Chinese culture, for instance, particularly looks down on wearing black to a wedding. So, it is better that you take an extra minute to figure out if it is at all okay to wear black to such weddings.
Think About the Formality of the Wedding
As I mentioned before, just because you can wear black does not mean you should wear black. Not every wedding requires you to wear black for no reason. If it is a beach wedding, there is no point in wearing black. A nice pastel would look amazing at a beach-themed wedding. If at all it is a black-tie wedding or an elegant ball, black indeed is one of the best choices to pick up.
Add Colorful Accessories
The best part about a black dress is that it is a blank slate. So, you can essentially paint on it however you want. Colorful accessories go best when it comes to black dresses. Rubies, emeralds, or even diamonds can make a simple black dress look ecstatic.
The Bottom Line
To conclude, weddings are all about fun. So, if you can explore and enjoy the dress you are wearing, it is all good. Just make sure it is nowhere near the bride’s outfit. That is not a very respectable thing to do.
Otherwise, black is the trendiest color of all time. If you want to rock a good black dress, you have a thumbs up from the experts.
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