Often, for a wedding, the bride wears white. This brings up the question for guests: is it acceptable for us to wear white too?
A dress code dating back to the 19th century
The tradition of brides wearing white only became established in the 19th century. Before that, it was common for brides to wear red, representing love and passion. Since the colour white has been designated for the bride on her wedding day, it has been totally forbidden for guests, particularly women, to wear a white dress. Why this prohibition? Simply because the bride should be the queen of the day and no other woman should overshadow her with their beauty or brilliance. The colour white is a pure and radiant colour that stands out in a crowd. Therefore, guests were expected to wear other colours, often quite muted ones like black or grey, so as not to upstage the happy couple whose big day was being celebrated.
A somewhat outdated dress code
In 2020, some fashion rules seem a bit outdated, and the one about not wearing white to a wedding is among them. It is now increasingly common to see guests wear white dresses or outfits without upstaging the couple on their memorable day. Just look at the celebrities, such as during the wedding of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, where all the guests were required to dress in white or black. Not to mention the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, where the bridesmaid, the sister of the bride, wore a beautiful white dress as well. It seem that in recent years, white has become the must-have colour for significant weddings. After all, this colour reflects purity and elegance naturally, making it a beautiful and symbolic choice for such an important event.
Always ask the bride's opinion
Even if it is now possible to wear white to a wedding, it’s still preferable to ask the bride for her opinion. Some quite traditional people prefer to adhere to the old rules. So, to avoid any chance of upsetting her, it’s best to get her approval before arriving in your lovely all-white dress, which could cause some problems. This is especially easy if the bride is someone very close to you, like your sister, cousin, or best friend. It goes without saying that if you’re invited to a large, more traditional wedding, it’s more than advisable to skip the white and leave this privilege to the bride. Be careful not to wear beige or cream on such occasions either, as these colours are close to white. Additionally, it's not unusual for some wedding dresses to combine white with one of these shades to make them even more unique.
When is it acceptable to wear white, then?
To avoid making a serious faux pas, there are certain situations where you can wear white without any worries. For instance, this could be at a small civil wedding. Or if the bride is not wearing white and has chosen to break the established dress codes for her special day. Likewise, if your outfit is partially white (like just the skirt or bodice), it will attract much less attention. If your dress doesn’t resemble a wedding dress and is accessorised with bolder colours, it can work as well.
In conclusion, wearing white to a wedding is no longer forbidden as of 2020. However, you should always ensure to respect the bride along with her wishes and customs. The aim is to ensure you don’t overshadow her on this monumental day. So, always make sure to check in advance before considering wearing white for such an important occasion. This will help you avoid any awkward situations, allowing you to fully enjoy the moment! If you're searching for the perfect white dress to attend your friend's wedding, we recommend our bohemian white dresses.