Is it OK to Wear White if You Are Not the Bride?
What to wear for the big occasion and of all the numerous questions that get asked this is one of the biggest!
The simple answer is that wearing solid white will take the focus off the bride and that is simply not on. Wearing white as a background to a printed dress is fine, but if you looking at wearing a solid white outfit, that is what is known as a “faux pas” or as the French do not say, a really big social mistake! Would you ask to borrow the bride’s wedding ring or engagement ring during her reception? Don’t steal her pure white thunder, either!
Some wedding parties part from tradition and everyone wears white. One good friend of mine insisted on everyone wearing white for the wedding but she went down the aisle wearing a scarlet red dress!
Unless something different is not stated, it is probably best to stick to what tradition and decorum usually demands and not wear white or run the very real risk of being seen to be trying to eclipse the bride on her special day.
Advice for what wedding guests ought to wear on the day is as follows.
Wedding Day Dress Code for Her
What you wear will depend on whether the event is formal or informal or a mixture of both. For formal weddings, you should wear a short dress or suit with optional hat or gloves (if you wear a hat, you ought to wear gloves, but should not wear gloves without a hat). Formal evening attire will be a full-length gown or cocktail dress and you are fine with a short version of the latter (you can glam it up with beading, wrap or “bling” as long as they match and accessorize correctly). If the wedding is very formal women will wear cocktail dresses or formal gowns.
For informal weddings, daytime wear will be a short dress or suit and typically, if you wear it for work you can wear it for a wedding. Evening wear will be a cocktail dress or pretty much what you would wear for a night out on the town but remember to exercise a sense of decorum as this is a family affair and children and older family members will be there too!
Dress Code for Men
This is simple – wear whatever the bride tells you to wear!
In practice, for a formal wedding you will be wearing a suit, whether it is tailored will depend on the wedding party and what function you are performing in the wedding ceremony itself. Formal eveningwear means black tie, so dust off the old tuxedo or rent one – don’t think you can fit into your prom night tux.
Informal wedding attire includes a business suit, slacks and blazer, or slacks and sport jacket. Evening wear is again pretty much what the bride and groom stipulate and you can use the same standard as ladies here and wear pretty much whatever you would wear for socializing generally though remember to exercise some decorum.
by Lawrence Reeves
