Wearing black to a wedding?

roadiegirl

One of my second cousins is getting married at the end of March, and I was wondering, whats the deal on wearing black at weddings? I remember being my 13 year old emo self going to a wedding, and my parents wouldn't let me wear black as it was disrespectful? Although, I have a sneaking suspicion that they just wanted me to wear a different colour! I have a really nice black dress which I would like to wear, and I don't have too much to spend on another dress! If anyone could help, then please do!
If I do have to buy another dress, I have about £40 to spend. I'm 19 and a size 12, but quite a heavy bust. I love Topshop/H&M style of clothes, so if anyone has seen anything please let me know!

lucylucky

I have seen people wear black to a wedding, can be very sophisticated looking.

Certainly wouldn't bother me.

lostinrates

This crops up occasionally. I wouldn't do it. Its generally seen now as a bit old fashioned, but I wouldn't be offended it if people turned up at my wedding in black but I wouldn't like it either ...I wouldn't consider it disrespectful, but I'd hope it wasn't people who were going to be in important photos.

I don't think its a HUGE deal, but bearing in mind some people do why risk causing even minor offence?

puddy

i cant understand that mentality but horses for courses. personally yes, i would and have worn black to weddings, i look best in black, i usually team black with red and it looks very smart.

KimmyCustard

Apparently its not good form to wear black to a wedding, but if you were wearing cream or red with it, then you could still wear it and save some money? Red shoes and bag or cream fascinator and handbag can look great.

You'll be all set for the evening bit wearing a black dress as well

runnerbean17

What about asking your second cousin if she minds you wearing black? Personally each to their own, I have worn black and white to a wedding before and the bride told me I looked lovely!! My SIL is getting married this year and her bridesmaid are wearing black dresses, I'm personally not too keen on little girls wearing black dresses - it looks like they're going out trick or treating!!!

SandC

Last wedding I went to there was one lady wearing black and she looked fabulous. Black and white was very 'in' for weddings last year anyway wasn't it?

It's no longer such a pastel occasion as it used to be.

roshydoshy

It is noted as being rude to wear black to a wedding, and I have known some wedding planners to comment on guests wearing it!!

I personally wouldn't wear black but if you could manage to accessorise it in such a way that the black is just an accent to the outfit rather than the main point then I'm sure this will be fine - but I would check with the bride beforehand as some people could be funny about it.

Jem8472

The suit I wore when I got married was black. My bestman, dad, father and brother in law all had black suits on as I find grey suits horrid. I also feel that a black suit gives better lines and looks nice. So I would not worry too much about wearing a black dress. But could be a good idea just to ask in case it would be a big deal to the bride.

I really did not notice what other people wore apart from those that were at the wedding (we had a small ceremony) In the evening as long as people turned up that was the main thing!

Fuzzy_Duck

I think it very much depends on whether you look like you're going to a funeral or not. If it were me I would wear some colourful accessories- i.e. shrug, shoes, maybe even a large flower clip in my hair. These touches would instantly make the outfit a lot more 'wedding-y!'

The way I see it the bride is probably not even going to notice what you're wearing, let alone be offended. You might offend some older relatives who are old-fashioned in their thinking, but the fact is black is becoming a lot more acceptable. It's not like you're wearing a white frilly affair and rivaling the bride!

To put your mind at rest you could speak to the bride beforehand to ask if it's okay and explain you don't have much cash to allow for a new dress. I know I wouldn't be cheeky enough to expect my guests to fork out for something 'acceptable' to wear and I'm sure she won't either.

I have a friend of the gothic persuasion who always wears black at weddings, because black is all she wears. She does however always wear a fancy hat so she doesn't look funeral-like in the slightest- and the bride is well aware that she is wearing black not to be offensive, but because all her clothes are black. I know some people would think she should suck it up and buy some bright/pastel clothes to show willing, but why should you buy something new you'll never wear again?

By the way I like your comment about being forced into another colour as an emo! When I was going through a phase of wearing a lot of baggy black clothing my parents made me wear a blouse and a long lilac skirt with flowers on to a wedding. I was a very surly teen at the time and I wasn't happy about it. I could kick myself now for having a sulk but surely it would have been better for everyone if I was allowed to wear something more me at the time, i.e. a smart pair of black trousers with a pretty but dark-coloured top!

belfastgirl23

I think it works well either for an evening do (or late afternoon wedding) or for a winter wedding when people are less likely to be wearing pastal-y colours anyway.

But I'd say like the others, accent it with a different colour wrap, shoes or jewellery.

Oh and run it past the bride first if you can