Often, for a wedding, the bride wears white. This leads many guests to wonder if they, too, are allowed to wear white attire.
A Dress Code from the 19th Century
The tradition of the bride wearing white only came into being in the 19th century. Before that, brides often donned red, a colour symbolising love and passion. Once white became the colour associated with brides, it became strictly forbidden for guests, particularly women, to wear a white dress. Why is this prohibition in place? Quite simply because the bride is meant to be the star of the day, and no other woman should overshadow her with her beauty or brilliance. Indeed, white is a pure and striking colour that easily stands out in a crowd. Therefore, guests were expected to wear other colours, often quite subdued like black or grey, so as not to upstage the newlyweds on their special day.
An Outdated Dress Code
In 2020, certain dress codes seem somewhat outdated, and the rule against wearing white to a wedding is one of them. It's now not uncommon to see several guests in white dresses or attire without stealing the limelight from the couple being celebrated. Just look at celebrities, for instance, at the wedding of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, where all guests were required to wear either white or black. Let's not forget the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, where the maid of honour, the bride's sister, also wore a stunning white dress. It seems that in recent years, white has become the go-to colour for major weddings. After all, this colour represents purity and elegance, making it one of the loveliest and most symbolic choices for such an important occasion as a wedding.
Still, Ask the Bride's Opinion
Even though it's now possible to wear white to a wedding, it is still wiser to check with the bride. Some people are quite traditional and prefer to stick to the old rules. So to avoid any potential upset, it's best to seek her approval before turning up in your lovely all-white dress, which could cause you 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’re invited to a large, more traditional wedding, it’s strongly advised to steer clear of white and let that privilege belong to the bride. Do also avoid beige or ecru in these situations, as they are colours closely related to white. Moreover, it's not unusual to see some wedding dresses that combine white with these colours to make them even more unique.
In What Circumstances Can You Wear White?
To help you avoid a major faux pas, there are certain occasions where wearing white is acceptable without any worries. For example, at a civil wedding with a small gathering. Or, if the bride isn't wearing white and has decided to break all the conventional dress codes for her big day. Additionally, if your outfit is partially white (whether it's the skirt or the top), it will naturally draw less attention. If your dress really doesn't look like a wedding dress and is accessorised with bolder colours, that could work too.
In conclusion, wearing white to a wedding is no longer a taboo in 2020. However, you should always make an effort to respect the bride, her wishes, and customs. The goal is to ensure that you do not take the spotlight away from her on this incredibly important day. Therefore, always make sure to do your research before considering wearing white for such a significant event. This will save you from many inconveniences, allowing you to fully enjoy the moment! If you’re searching for the perfect white dress to wear to your friend's wedding, we recommend our bohemian white dresses.