The answer to the age-old question, “Can you wear white to a wedding?” is not always, well, black and white. But it is a fashion faux pas that should be actively avoided. If you show up as a wedding guest wearing a cream hue, you might be met with glares and comments from other guests, a maid of honor asking you to leave, or even someone spilling a glass of red wine on you (just head to TikTok for proof that this is actually a thing). For guests, there are often questions around what colors to avoid and what technically qualifies as too much white. But rest assured, you can have fun with wedding guest fashion and still avoid a faux pas.
“I see people rolling up in like Jacquemus and Gucci,” says stylist Micaela Erlanger, who works with the likes of Lupita Nyong’o and Diane Kruger. “Guests are selecting and injecting their personal style into their wardrobes, but there’s some decorum and respect that comes with it.”
So, for an expert guide to dress-code etiquette, we turned to Erlanger and bridal stylist Anny Choi for guidance.
Can You Wear White to a Wedding?
“The simple answer is ‘no,’ unless the invite calls for it,” Choi says. At spring and summer weddings, it’s popular for couples to throw a themed event with an all-white dress code on the big day or in the lead-up to it. In that case, Choi advises guests to choose solid white styles versus white floral prints, for example, because that’s probably what the bride will be wearing. This rule does vary for those wearing a suit, though. While you should abstain from wearing a white jacket or pants, a white button down is allowed (and often encouraged, depending on the dress code).
Why Can’t You Wear White to a Wedding?
Traditionally, white is a color that is reserved for the bride. By wearing the same shade, it’s implied that you re trying to steal the attention from them on their special day. Even at weddings where both to-be-weds are grooms, it’s still considered a color option that should exclusively be held by them.
What About Ivory and Cream?
“It’s all white!” Erlanger says. Indeed, the no-white rule also applies to cream, ivory, beige, and all of the above, Choi concurs. Again, consider the ever-expanding palette that the bride may be playing with—and when in doubt, err on the side of caution. “It’s old-school to think, ‘Oh, the bride will be wearing a big white princess dress,’” Choi says. “What a bride looks like today varies and can be so different.”
How Much White Is Acceptable in a Wedding Guest Outfit?
“As long as the main color doesn t read as white, you’re in the clear,” Erlanger says. While you shouldn’t wear an all-white dress—especially with fabric elements like lace that are seen as quite bridal—there is a gray area that should be avoided as well. Wearing a dress with a print that includes white can often leave people guessing. A helpful formula to follow is if the base of the dress is white and the print is another color, you should avoid wearing it. Colorful dress with white on the print? It s probably fine to wear.
As Choi points out, certain colors can be photographed to look like white, too. In the chance that your pale pink or butter yellow is a tad too close to a cream hue, it s best to leave that back home in your closet. The best rule of thumb? If you re questioning it, it s probably not something you should wear. Go back to your closet and make another fashion statement that won’t risk people getting angry at you.
What Can Brides and Grooms Do to Communicate the Dress Code?
While not wearing white is an implied rule for anyone attending a wedding, there are also ways to lay out your wedding dress code for guests. Of course, your invitation and wedding website can list any traditional dress codes, like black tie or cocktail attire. One of the best perks of hiring a bridal stylist are the mood boards that will spark inspiration for you as well as your guests. “Now more than ever, this idea of giving your guests recommendations or suggestions, along with the dress code, has become more common practice,” Erlanger says. “I’m frequently asked to provide mood boards that are linked to clients’ wedding websites with suggestions for what guests should wear. Part of the invitation design, and part of the idea of curating your event, also includes really fun attire recommendations. By no means is it an instruction manual, but it points guests in the right direction.”
Other Colors to Avoid Wearing at a Wedding
While white might be the worst color to don as a wedding guest, there are other shades that might be seen as a little gauche. “Unless it is a wild disco party, avoid colors that really stand out,” Erlanger says. “Avoid neons, avoid red, avoid anything that’s super loud. Unless, of course, your friend’s getting married at a rave. And don’t get me wrong—I’m sure that’s happened before!”
It’s also important to consider any cultural traditions that may be practiced at the celebration. Red is a traditional color for brides in China and India, so you may wish to avoid the shades if attending a wedding of a couple with that background.
