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Wedding season is here! If you’re lucky enough to have received an invite (or two), then you’re probably already planning what you’re going to wear for the big day. This guide to wedding guest etiquette will ensure you make the right kind of impression as a wedding guest and help you avoid any embarrassing faux pas.
What Not to Wear as a Wedding Guest
When attending a wedding in the UK, there are a few colours that are off-limits. The biggest taboo of all has to be wearing white as a wedding guest.
While most people are aware that wearing white on someone else’s wedding day is a no-no, there are still those who think that a black and white dress or a white dress with coloured patterns will be ok. It isn’t! Unless you have express permission from the bride to wear white, it’s best avoided altogether. Don’t be tempted by white-adjacent outfits either, such as an off-white, beige, or champagne dress. Many brides will choose these off-white colours as a balance between the traditional white gown and something more modern that suits their skin tone, making these shades strictly off-limits to wedding guests.
As a wedding guest, you’ll want to look and feel your best but remember that the attention is meant to be on the couple, so this isn’t the time for bold, statement colours like metallics, glitter, sequins or denim. You should also avoid the colour that has been chosen for the bridal party so that you won’t look like a forgotten bridesmaid!
If either the bride or groom has a different cultural background, there may be cultural significance around wedding colours. If the couple doesn’t make this clear in the invite, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. They’ll be pleased that you want to make an effort to get it right for their big day and you’ll feel better knowing that your outfit isn’t going to turn heads for all the wrong reasons.
The Best Colours to Wear to a Wedding
So now that we’ve covered what colours you shouldn’t wear to a wedding, what can you wear instead? Here are some colours to consider for your wedding guest outfit.
Soft Pinks, Blues, and Purples
Pastels work wonderfully for spring and summer weddings, especially those with an outdoor element such as a beach ceremony, garden party, or a rustic barn reception.
For lighter colours, opt for a lighter fabric to match, such as lace, satin, and silk. When it comes to length, midi dresses tend to work best and can be paired with handmade gold or silver jewellery to suit the wedding theme, for example, beachy, floral, or rustic.
Wine Red, Navy Blue, and Amber
If pastels aren’t your thing or you’re attending a wedding in autumn or winter, rich jewel tones are perfect. Deep wine reds and burgundies along with elegant royal blue or dazzling amber shades are ideal for woodland ceremonies or formal indoor weddings.
These shades work fantastically well for floor-length wedding guest dresses and can be paired with chunky statement jewellery or delicate gold or silver pieces to suit the wedding theme.
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