When planning what to wear to a wedding, it's important to consider the dress code and ensure that you're dressed appropriately for the occasion. If the invitation says "black tie optional," then feel free to go all-out with your tuxedo or dressy cocktail attire; if it says "black tie required," then you should absolutely stick with a black suit or dress. But what about weddings where there aren't any specific instructions on what color guests should wear? Can you wear black to a wedding? Is it okay to wear black to a wedding? Well, continue reading to find out!
The answer is yes, but with a caveat.
Can I wear black to a wedding? The answer is yes, but with a caveat. You can wear black to a wedding if the color of your dress is conservative and not too shiny or distracting at all. If you have dark hair and skin, then black will look great on you. If you have light hair and skin, avoid wearing black, as it may make you look washed out or pale in comparison to the bride, who is probably going to be wearing white.
This might seem like an obvious statement, but I’m sure we all know at least one person who has ruined an otherwise great outfit by wearing something with too much shine or showing too much skin. If you don’t want to draw attention away from yourself and/or the bride on her big day, avoid dresses with sequins or sparkles—even if they look amazing in the mirror! Black also has a slimming effect, so keep things simple when it comes to accessories and footwear.
If you want to wear black to a wedding, then have confidence in your choice and don’t let anyone else sway you otherwise. You can also consider wearing a neutral color like white or cream as an alternative.
Black is good if the bride and groom have given permission.
Is it ok to wear black to a wedding? If the bride and groom give you permission to wear black, then go ahead! They are probably not going to follow the dress code of your formal event. If they don't care, then it is completely up to you. If they say yes, then that means no one will be judging you for your outfit choice—not even your own parents!
If the bride and groom tell you that black is not allowed, then you should probably refrain from wearing it. You want to make them happy on their special day, and you don't want to get into an argument with them about it!
The invitation and dress code matter.
Can you wear black to wedding? If there is a dress code or color of clothing that the event is known for, it will be listed on the invitation. If you don't see anything about this and are uncertain about what to wear, ask someone who's been invited to the wedding in advance. They may have insight into what other guests have decided on.
If there isn't a stated preference and your invitation says "Black Tie Preferred," you can wear either a tuxedo or suit with accessories like a bow tie—just make sure they're all black!
If you're dressing up for the occasion, make sure your clothes are clean and pressed. If your suit is from a previous season, consider getting it cleaned or altered before wearing it to a wedding.
Your black outfit should be modest.
When it comes to wearing black to a wedding, it's important that you dress modestly for the occasion. You don't want to wear anything that is too flashy or too revealing. When in doubt, keep it simple—a LBD (little black dress) or plus size black dress will never go out of style and can easily be dressed up or down depending on the event. Also, make sure your outfit isn't too short or tight-fitting; while this may not be an issue at some weddings you attend, others will have a stricter dress code policy in place as a result of religious beliefs.
The weather also plays a factor when deciding what color to wear when attending a wedding—for example, if there’s going to rain on the day of the wedding and everyone plans on wearing their formal attire anyway, then you might as well go ahead with black! If there is no chance of precipitation, then try sticking with lighter shades like white instead.
Avoid black dresses with lots of sparkle or shine.
You may have a gorgeous, shimmery black dress that you simply can't wait to wear. But before doing so, consider the context of the wedding itself. If it's an evening affair, it's best to stick with something more subdued. (And if it's an afternoon tea party, then by all means—go for the sequins.) When in doubt about what type of event calls for which kind of look, ask yourself: Can I see myself attending this wedding? Wear your sparkles; if not, leave the sequins at home!
If you have a black dress that's short, consider pairing it with a statement necklace or shoes for an added touch of glamor. A long-sleeved little black dress can be dressed up by adding a pair of bold earrings and some sparkly jewelry around your neckline.
You can also wear black in other ways if you're a guest at a wedding.
- If you're going to wear black, it's best to keep your look more classy and fun. This way, you won't stand out from the other guests too much. For example, if you wear a black dress with gold embellishments or a pair of heels that match the color scheme of the wedding, people would likely say "That person has excellent taste" rather than "Oh my gosh! What is wrong with that person?"
- Is it bad to wear black to a wedding? No it's not, but even though black is acceptable for guests at weddings, there are still some ways in which you can make sure it doesn't get too loud or overbearing.
- The first thing is to avoid wearing all black. While this may seem obvious since we just told you why not to do it above (that would be extremely noticeable), people tend not to think about how they look when they're attending an event where everyone else will be dressed casually or formally, so they might accidentally end up looking like they've got no sense of style or personal identity when really all they need is a bit more variety than just one color choice!
Make sure your outfit isn't detracting from the event, and you'll be fine.
If you've been invited to a wedding as a guest, then there's no real way around this problem—you're going to stand out. But if there is anything we can do, it's to minimize that. You should look more formal than the bride or groom would want at their own wedding (or any other formal event). Wear black pants or slacks with a nice blouse or dress shirt; don't wear a black dress with lots of beadwork (a sleeveless one will work); choose jewelry carefully (be conservative). As long as your black dress or black outfit isn't detracting from the event itself—and remember that in some cases, these rules are different depending on where you live—then you'll definitely look good at the wedding.
Conclusion
So, what's the answer? Yes, you can wear black to a wedding. You can wear it with confidence and style. Whether it's the bride or groom that's wearing black, the best way to do so is by following these tips:
- Are you trying too hard? Avoid looking like you're trying too hard with your outfit—make sure your shoes are comfortable enough for dancing, don't over-accessorize (including jewelry), and stay away from anything too flashy (like rhinestones). If possible, plan ahead with your partner so that both of your outfits complement each other rather than compete against each other!
- Be mindful of how much skin shows if you are wearing a dress that has some color in it; consider wearing a jacket or cardigan over top if there is too much skin showing through the dress. This will help keep things less risqué without compromising on style. If pants are more comfortable for you than skirts but you still want something feminine in material and color choices, then go ahead and wear them without worrying about standing out too much because everyone else will be doing this as well!
Stick to one statement piece per look instead of adding multiple items at once, so everything blends together nicely rather than looking like an "outfit" instead of just clothes! Remember, less is more here, folks. So what are you waiting for? Browse The Dress Outlet now and check out our wide collection of black wedding dresses!
