31 Comments

1. 

   Christine Says

   My cousin has a summer wedding coming up, and there is no way that I would wear white! I think it is tacky to steal the brides “color” for the day. Think about if you take a picture with her too – you need a distinction between the bride and the guests. I love white, but just leave it for any other time.

2. 

   Alyssa Says

   I don’t think I would ever wear white to a wedding, simply out of respect for the bride. I know a few people that that’s happened to, and it was always done maliciously with the intention of dampering the bride’s day. Not nice!

3. 

   Rachel Says

   I think it’s SO inappropriate- even if you have a short or off-white dress. I went to my boyfriend’s cousin’s wedding last summer and a friend of her husbands wore a long, white lace gown. I was mad and I wasn’t even the bride!

4. 

   Ashley Says

   I definitely don’t think it’s ok. While white dresses are gorgeous, they really do seem bridal. Even if it’s not your intention, it is always seen as attempting to upstage the bride. I’ve seen it a wedding once, and all the women were whispering under their breath about the guest who wore white. It’s just one day – wear any other color!

5. 

   Mandy - Other Shoes in the Sea Says

   I still don’t think it’s a good idea although I don’t see how anyone could be looking at that person instead of the bride since a bride is always so stunning. I have a friend who’s mother even showed up in white on her wedding day to spite her. That’s definitely not a nice thing to do.

6. 

   amanda Says

   I don’t understand or accept as ‘unwritten/unspoken rules’ of traditional weddings. Most weddings are tacky, cookie cutter and the formality is so faked, and it drives me mad.

   However, for some reason, even when I see guests at a wedding shower wearing white, I wonder why.

   Yes, that girl just probably like the dress she chose to wear and it happened to be white…but I would personally never wear white to a wedding event. I feel like even if I may not care if someone wore white to my wedding, I would worry that the bride at a wedding I’m attending would be offended or scoff at a guest in white, and I just want to avoid that when I go to weddings.

   Lots of brides wear ivory anyways, so it may be less and less of an ‘issue’, but I personally like seeing guests at weddings wearing color. Let the bride and groom stand out in their own way (for pictures from the reception/dance floor, etc) and add a pop of color to the whole even with your own outfit as a guest.

7. 

   Shannon Says

   I’m pretty sure a couple people wore white to my reception and I didn’t really care, I don’t think I noticed all that much, but then again I wasn’t a huge bridezilla either…
   Shannon,
   GBOfashion.com

8. 

   Sara Strauss Says

   Unless the bride specifically says that she wants people to wear white (because maybe she’s wearing a dress of a different color), then no I wouldn’t, even if the dress was short. The spotlight is supposed to be on the bride, so I think it takes away from her and the groom if another person is wearing white.
   ~Sara
   sarastrauss.blogspot.com

9. 

   Charity (Isle of View) Says

   Two years ago my comment would have been different! Now, I think it’s okay. However, some rules still apply. If it’s a black-tie affair, I think classic etiquette applies: don’t wear white. If it’s a less formal, possibly even a church wedding, it’s okay. Many mothers of the brides are now wearing white, which is really pretty to me (especially in photos), though normally in a different shade of white from the bride.

   I think the debate has reached proportions tantamount to the Memorial Day/Labor Day argument of wearing white. It’s a matter of opinion, and sometimes it’s appropriate. Other times, it just isn’t.

   1. 

      amber Says

      No – it has nothing to do with trends or fashion. It’s safe to assume that the bride is wearing a white dress, and so this should be the day that other women invited as guests just don’t. Why risk it?

10. 

    Alex W. Says

    Absolutely not. While I think that it’s a sign of respect for the bride to not wear white, I also agree with the others who mentioned how much better the pictures will turn out when guests are wearing a different color (or multitude of colors)!
    I recently purchased a dress for a bachelorette party that could look off-white or nude/blush depending on the light. After talking that purchase over with another bridesmaid, I decided that wearing a color so closely related to the white that the bride might be wearing is inappropriate. Too bad, though, it is a beautiful dress! :(

    1. 

       Diane Says

       It’s just a color! For god’s sake, lighten up.

11. 

    Chiara Says

    I agree with most of the above comments. I would never wear white to a wedding, out of respect for the bride.
    It’s her color for the day, and wearing wite would be like stealing something from her, on her big day.
    Of course, if the bride wears a totally different color (not just another shade of white), a white would be appropriate.

12. 

    Alex Says

    I had my bridesmaids in shades of white/nude and it looked great in pictures…and I wouldn’t have cared if someone else wore white. BUT, I would never do it, because you just don’t know who WILL care. Do you really want to risk offending the bride (or even just her friends and family) on her wedding day? It’s not a big deal to wear a different color, just… don’t take the gamble.

    1. 

       amber Says

       Exactly!!! :)

13. 

    Steph Says

    Why does any bride even wear white nowadays?? I’ve never known a bride who has the right to lay claim to the “purity” of the color, yet they do because people mindlessly follow traditions that no longer have ANY relevancy anymore whatsoever. If the bride is that narcissistic that she actually feels offended or “threatened” by someone else wearing the same color, then I feel sorry for the groom because he’s spending the rest of his life with a self-centered, most likely high maintenance, woman. The ONLY thing a bride should care about on her wedding day is reveling in the love between her husband and herself and sharing it with those closest to them. Then again, maybe I’m wrong to thing a wedding should be about love and commitment rather than materialistic items.

    1. 

       amber Says

       Yes – of course a wedding is about love and commitment, but the bride, groom, and their families spent time and money planning a day to share this special occasion with their friends and family, so of course there will be other details they care about. You seem extremely bitter and like you just hate weddings (and you’re entitled to feel this way, but then why are you are choosing to comment on an article about weddings?). Most people know what the white bridal dress signifies – my fiance was teasing me that I can’t wear white at our wedding because of this, but now it’s come to just be a signifier of who the bride is.

       1. 

          Sarah Says

          Wow, she sounds just like my sister in law who indeed worn white to my wedding. My bridesmaids all hounded her, it was truly epic. No one other than the bride should wear white to a wedding!!

14. 

    CassieAlex Says

    ” I’ve never known a bride who has the right to lay claim to the “purity” of the color”
    -White isn’t for purity……it started as a way to show off how rich the marrying families were, so nothing to do with purity, blue is the colour of purity.

    I might wear white to a wedding, depending, if the bride wasn’t wearing a long, or stereotypical wedding dress, it would be a definite no.

    But if the bride was wearing a big white dress, I’d have no problem wearing a short white dress with a print (like polka dots) and colourful shawl, bag and shoes.

    But plain white dresses, are generally a no.

15. 

    Diane Says

    I wore white to a wedding years ago, when I was young. I guess I was just oblivious as I had no idea you weren’t supposed to wear white at a wedding. No one said anything, even the bride, and I had a lovely time. I hate to say it but rules were made to be broken, and this one is stupid. Anyone other than the bride is going to be ignored, unless they are naked or terribly inappropriate in what they’re wearing.

16. 

    Kat Says

    I got married last week and my new sister in law wore white. I actually saw her before we left, as she lives across the road from where I was getting ready and thought about saying something. But then I decided to let her get on with it as I thought this action just showed her true colours. It was commented on a lot by my guests, but only because everyone thought it was very disrespectful and they couldn’t believe she’d turned up in it. And all this from the girl who threw a hissy fit as she thought I was getting a white dress when I was an usher at her wedding ( which I would never dream of doing!) and who went mad at a guest who wore white at hers. So I would definitely not wear white to a wedding.

    1. 

       Jess Says

       Wow – what a biatch! But you handled it really well- when someone is rude and a hypocrite it just shows who they really are. Glad you didn’t let it get to you on your big day. :)

    2. 

       Katy Says

       Ugh! I’m sorry this happened to you, and I can totally relate (unfortunately). But glad to hear you had a great day!
       My sister in-law wore white to my wedding as well, really ruined the pictures as she was actually in the bridal party who all wore shades of pink (which I specified). I wore ivory/champagney white and her dress was actually bright white though short in length. She also wore the biggest bright white headpiece on side of her head which was super visible, I wore smaller white piece on back of my head. Wow did she ever look crazy!

       We set up the ceremony so that all the groomsmen walked down the lawn together first down to where the ceremony was, then all the bridesmaids walked down together with the flower girls. She literally looks like the bride amongst all the other girls in pink!!! I didn’t care for other attendees wearing ivory colors, but to be in a bridal party and when color is actually specified and decided to wear white? My friends were so shocked. I was too happy and busy to notice it on the day of, but it daunts me every time I see the pictures! I can’t stand her intentions.
       She’s always been rude and mean to me, thinks I stole her brother. She has a princess syndrome and so self centered she probably couldn’t stand the fact it wasn’t her day. She missed our brunch event the next day as well.
       I just find it really sad. It’s a very mean thing to do such a thing intentionally and to spite someone on such a big occasion (where professional photography is involved). What does she get out of this? Joy of thinking I feel bad about my big day? What kind of person is she!? I’m just scared now to have married into this family because of her:( Also it’s so disrespectful not only to me but to my family and friends.

17. 

    hollister kläder Says

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18. 

    Jess Says

    As a new “bride-to-be,” I know I will be extremely pissed if I see another girl wearing an all-white dress at my wedding, no matter what the style. I’m very short and skinny and so I will probably have to wear a shorter or tea length dress at my wedding because a ball gown would look ridiculous on me. An outfit with some white in it, or white being one of the contrasting colors, or white with bright colored polka dots (as one of the commenters mentioned) is fine. It’s only when it’s all white that it’s an issue (for most women). Wearing white as a guest at someone’s wedding is a totally different issue than “don’t wear white after labor day,” which is simply a silly fashion guideline and has nothing to do with people’s feelings. I don’t care what magazines and fashion bloggers are saying – but why be disrespectful when someone chooses to include you (and pay for you) to be part of their big day?

19. 

    Jacque Todd Says

    Wow I’ve never heard so much blarney in all my life!!!! Seriously does it matter who wears what colour to a wedding, if it fits and u like who cares what colour, it’s 2013, and if u as a bride or a guest r insulted by someone wearing white/cream to a wedding well I feel u r sad!!! Sorry but my opinion. I haven’t wore white to a wedding before only because I don’t really like the colour, but if I did see a dress I liked in white, well yes I would wear it. I married 10 years ago and my cousin and another friend wore white and cream and may I say they looked gorg, never in my mind did I think how dare they, were did this come from!!! Ridiculous!!!!!

20. 

    Chantielle Kropf Says

    I dont think someone should wear total white to a wedding, but I do have a question…I am getting married in April and have a friend who is getting married in March. I found the perfect rehearsal dinner dress…it was pretty expensive and I want to get multiple uses out of it…It has a black plinging neckline top(im small chested so it isnt trashy) and a cream to the floor bottom. Is that too much and too close to white to wear to my friends wedding in April??? I just cant decide…it isnt white at all and the whole top of the dress is black….so i thought it would be totally ok. I wouldnt be offended if someone wore it to my wedding. Any feedback????

21. 

    Andrea Says

    I want to buy this dress or one close to it for my upcoming wedding (Bride)…anyone know where I can find this dress or ONE close to it? PLease email me. Thank you so much.

22. 

    Geneva Says

    Seriously how hard is it to just not wear white or ivory?! You can argue about whether ettiquette rules are changing all day long, OR you can just pick out another beautiful color.

23. 

    Brenda Says

    Really, people? That taboo is outdated and old, especially what with the rising popularity of beach weddings. Many brides no longer wear white themselves, and if anyone really thinks the color of someone’s dress is going to steal the bride’s thunder then you live under a rock. I’m a former event coordinator, and I can tell you that short of someone walking in naked, all eyes will be on the bride. And as the bride if you are so insecure, pitiful and attention starved that you are threatened by another woman wearing white on your big day, then you have bigger problems and should probably put in a call to your therapist.

24. 

    Sara Says

    What about the mother of the groom wearing a white dress with flowers printed on it?