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Would You Wear Black To A Wedding?

An investigation

Choosing what to wear to someone elseโ€™s big day can be a daunting task, especially when thereโ€™s a confusing dress code written in tiny font at the end of the invite. Wearing white is almost always a no-no, but the big question is: is it ok to wear black to a wedding

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Short answer: Yes. The times have changed when it comes to wedding etiquette and most couples wouldnโ€™t bat an eyelid โ€“ or think it was rude โ€“ if their guests chose to wear black to their nuptials, whether they fall in summer or winter.

โ€œ100% you can wear black to a wedding. I would not be offended at all if someone wore black to my wedding,โ€ says bride-to-be Danielle Taylor, who also notes she thinks white is fine but more dependent on the style of the dress โ€“ โ€œno ball gowns!โ€

However, there are still a few things worth considering โ€“ such as what shoes to wear, what type of dress, and what type of reception it is โ€“ before you dust off your favourite LBDโ€ฆ 

wearing black to a wedding
Maisie Williams wore a black jumpsuit to the wedding of Kit Harington and Rose Leslie
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1. The dress code

Dress codes can vary significantly depending on the kind of wedding reception youโ€™re attending โ€“ a white tie or black tie affair is likely for church or destination weddings, however, lounge suit, cocktail and even smart casual could appear if the bride and groom โ€“ and their event โ€“ is more laid-back, think a beach wedding or backyard BBQ. In regards to dressing in all black, weโ€™d consider averting if itโ€™s more of a traditional, white tie affair, but say go for it if the dress code is more relaxed. For a guide to dress codes and their meanings, head here.

2. The type of outfit youโ€™re considering

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If youโ€™re going with an all-black look, try to brighten up your look in other ways: coloured heels, a cute beaded bag, red lipstick, or a headpiece. No one wants to mistake a wedding guest for someone attending a funeralโ€ฆ 

3. Donโ€™t wear something super short

Modern as the bride and groom may be, a wedding is still a wedding. If youโ€™re opting for a darker hue, stay on the safe side with hemlines โ€“ or opt for a jumpsuit or pants and a cute top, if your only black dress is verging on being too short. 

reformation
Reformation, Winslow Dress, $248
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4. What about for men?

This is an easy one: most suits are darker hues anyway, so men in black will be expected. Again, you could jazz up your look with a patterned pocket square or brown brogues, but this isnโ€™t essential. 

5. If in doubt, ask someone

You can never be too safe! If the above hasnโ€™t helped you come to a definitive answer โ€“ or if youโ€™re in a special circumstance, such as the mother of the bride or groom โ€“ donโ€™t be afraid to reach out to other guests to get a feel for the mood. Take a tally! Or just send a quick message to the man/maid of honour or bride/groom.

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