With more and more people moving away from wedding traditions such as taking your partner's surname or getting married at a church, it's not too surprising that the question of wearing white to a wedding is coming up. Traditionally, the bride has always worn white, but with many couples choosing to have less traditional and more unique celebrations, do we still need to stick to the rule that only the bride can wear white?
Can You Wear White To A Wedding?
While the safest option is to avoid white altogether, even with traditions changing, you might be able to wear it if you make sure your look isn’t bridal (and check with the bride). Options such as jumpsuits with a colourful print so it’s not just white can be a fab choice. But the big question of ‘can I wear white to a wedding?’ isn’t just limited to white, but colours that come just a little too close, such as cream and ivory. If you’re on the fence about it, it's probably best to steer clear.
You also have to consider, is it rude to wear white to a wedding? In some traditional weddings, couples will want to stick to the formality and traditions of the day, so the idea of someone wearing white as a wedding guest is a big no-no.
How Much White Can You Wear?
If you really want to wear white, you’ll be wondering: how much white can you wear to a wedding? Well, the more colour and prints, the better in our opinion. You’ll need a good balance of white and colour, so pick a white base with colourful prints on top. If you want a bolder option, choose a brightly coloured background with a print that uses bits of white to create a balance between the colours. Large statement prints are a fab choice as they let some of the white base through, without the worry of it being too white.
Here are some of our stunning wedding guest dresses that we think pass the test:
MELANA HOUSE COAT IN NAVY BLOOM £25
OLIVERA MIDI DRESS IN CREAM BASE TULIP MIX £31
SOOKIE DRESS IN GREEN ECHINACEA £55
Are There Any Exceptions?
There are some exceptions to never wearing white to a wedding, including:
- If you’re 100% sure the bride is NOT wearing white.
- If it's a same sex marriage and neither partner is wearing white.
- If you’ve asked the bride for her approval (and she’s given it).
- If you’ve been asked by the couple to wear white.
But with this all in mind, it is important to remember that unless you fall into the exceptions above, it’s probably best to put away that gorgeous white dress for another occasion.