Can you wear a white dress to a wedding?

Often, for a wedding, white is the colour worn by the bride. Many guests then wonder if they too are allowed to wear white attire.

A dress code rule from the 19th century

The tradition of brides wearing white is a dress code that was established only in the 19th century. Indeed, before that, brides often wore red, which symbolised love and passion. Since white became the colour assigned to the bride, it has been completely forbidden for guests, especially women, to wear a white dress. Why this prohibition? Simply because the bride was meant to be the queen of the day and no other woman should steal her spotlight with her beauty or splendour. In fact, white is a pure and radiant colour that stands out easily in a crowd. Thus, guests were expected to wear other colours, often quite subdued like black or grey, to avoid upstaging the happy couple celebrating their significant event.

An outdated dress code

In 2020, some dress codes seem a bit outdated, and the rule against wearing white to a wedding is one of them. It’s now not uncommon to see several guests donning white dresses or outfits without stealing the thunder from the couple of the day. Just look at celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, whose wedding required all guests to wear white or black. Not to mention the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton, where the bridesmaid, who is also the sister of the bride, wore a stunning white dress. It seems in recent years that white has become the go-to colour for major weddings. It is true that this colour reflects purity and elegance naturally, and there's nothing more beautiful and symbolic to wear for a significant event like a wedding.

Still ask the bride's opinion

Even though wearing white to a wedding is now possible, it’s advisable to ask the bride's opinion. Indeed, some quite traditional folks enjoy sticking to the old rules. To avoid offending her, it’s better to get her permission before showing up in your lovely all-white dress, which might cause some issues. This is especially true if the bride is someone very close to you, like your sister, cousin, or best friend. Of course, if you are invited to a large and more traditional wedding, it is more than recommended to omit the white and leave that privilege to the bride. Also, be cautious not to wear beige or ecru in such circumstances as these colours are closely related to white. It’s not uncommon to see some wedding dresses combine white with one of these colours to make them even more unique.

When can you wear white instead?

To avoid a major faux pas, certain circumstances may allow you to wear white without any concern. This could be for a civil wedding in a small gathering. Or if the bride isn’t wearing white and has chosen to break all the traditional dress code rules for this important day. You could also wear an outfit that is partially white (like the skirt or the bodice), which will draw less attention. If your dress doesn’t resemble a wedding dress and is paired with colourful accessories, that could work too.

Bohemian White Dresses

In conclusion, wearing white to a wedding is no longer off-limits in 2020. However, you should always make sure to respect the bride, as well as her wishes and customs. The aim is not to steal her thunder on this important day. Always ensure you gather the necessary information before considering wearing white to such an important occasion. This will help you avoid any misunderstandings and allow you to fully enjoy the moment! If you’re looking for the perfect white dress to wear to your friend’s wedding, we recommend our bohemian white dresses.