Rules & Etiquette for the Wedding Party and Guests

There was a time not so long ago (your parents’ generation) when wearing black to a wedding was considered to be in bad taste—black symbolized mourning, death and unhappiness. Like the white wedding dress tradition, times and meanings have changed. Nowadays, it’s okay for guests and members of the wedding to wear black, provided they follow a few bright guidelines.

Before you wear black, know your crowd. Black can get you in trouble for a couple of reasons. In places like Thailand, for example, it’s still taboo to wear black, while in the Philippines it’s common for the bride to wear a black wedding dress. If you’re not sure about wearing black, talk to the bride or a reliable friend about the dress code.

If the bridesmaids are wearing black, consider another color. In the same way that wearing white might draw attention away from the bride, black can clash with the bridesmaids’ outfits. Check ahead of time to find out the color scheme. Should you still decide to wear black, make sure your style of dress is completely different from the wedding party’s. For instance, if they are wearing dresses, go for a skirt.

Black is never appropriate for a casual, breakfast or brunch wedding, or a beach or backyard casual affair. It’s a more formal look, appropriate for cocktail party ceremonies (hence the term “little black dress”), and nighttime affairs.

If you want to wear black, and have cleared it with a reliable source, make sure it doesn’t look like a funeral ensemble. Brighten up the outfit with colorful accessories; a bright scarf, belt, or shoes. Some people wear black outfits that have another color in the material, like colored polka dots.

Ultimately, black is an always-classy choice that is now acceptable for weddings, provided you make sure it’s appropriate for the style and formality of the wedding.

Check Out the Tradition of White
Check Out Colorful Wedding Dress Ideas & Trends
Check Out Choosing Bridesmaid Dresses They’ll Actually Like!