What Colors Wedding Guests Should Not Wear to a Wedding

Choosing what to wear to a wedding as a guest can be quite the dilemma. And while there are numerous wedding etiquette rules, one of the most important ones is avoiding certain colors that may inadvertently upstage the bride or groom on their special day.

In this article, we will explore the main hues and shades that wedding guests should steer clear of in order to show respect for the happy couple and ensure they take center stage on one of the most significant days of their lives. Continue reading to learn which colors should unequivocally be left out of your wardrobe when attending a wedding celebration, no matter the season.

Bright Whites and Ivory

For as long as many of us can recall, wearing white was reserved for the bride and the bride alone. In fact, the white wedding dress tradition dates back to when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840. For Queen Victoria’s wedding, she chose a white satin gown lavishly embellished with lace that was custom designed in England. Following the publication of the wedding photographs, brides all over the world began to copy Victoria’s style by wearing white gowns to their own weddings.

From there, reserving white as the color of choice for the bride’s wedding gown became an unwritten rule. More than that, by avoiding wearing bright whites and ivory as a wedding guest, you are showing respect for the couple getting married. It’s always better to play it safe and choose an outfit that won’t cause any unintended distractions on their big day. So leave the white dresses at home for another occasion and opt for pastel shades, bold prints, or rich jewel tones for the celebration instead.

There are of course some exceptions to this wedding guest attire etiquette. It is possible couples may ask all their guests to wear white for a themed party, but that would be a very explicit request found on the wedding invitation or wedding website. If there is no specific request like this from the bride and groom, wedding guests can even get away with wearing floral dresses with a white background, as long as there are more colorful flowers or patterns than there is white. Of course, if you are unsure, you may just want to avoid a dress with any white altogether. There are plenty of other hues to choose from.

Bold Reds and Burgundies

Perhaps not as widely known as the white wedding guest dress taboo, the color red is on the list of wedding guest dress colors to avoid. And it’s not because of the old wives’ tale of there being a fling between the groom and the lady in red. The reason red has been said to be a color choice to stay away from is because in certain Asian cultures, red signifies luck and is a color choice incorporated into the bride and/or bridal party’s attire.

Wearing bold reds and burgundies as a wedding guest can therefore overshadow the bride. Instead, you should opt for variations of the red color such as pinks, blushes, mauves, deep currant, and wine shades. Another idea is that you can use red as an accent in your makeup, nails, clutch, or jewelry.

As long as you make sure your outfit doesn’t clash with the wedding theme or venue, you can’t go wrong with choosing a more muted or pastel color like blush pink, light blue, or even a subtle grey for a sophisticated look. When in doubt, check with the couple or refer to the wedding invitation for any specific dress code guidelines. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to dressing appropriately for someone else’s big day.

Visit The Grove at Bailey Farms for More Wedding Tips

Situated in Crawford, GA, The Grove at Bailey Farms has two event spaces on campus, the brand new Cottage, which is our upscale elegant location, and our vintage boho barn venue for more rustic and outdoor weddings and events. Our professional staff has thought of everything to make your special day effortless and unforgettable so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Our full-equipped venues,The Boho Barn and The Cottage, make the perfect backdrop to your love story, where every moment is a masterpiece. Nestled in the heart of a picturesque farm, the rustic Boho Barn offers more than 45,000 sq ft of lush green space, a cozy 650 sq ft covered reception area, and a charming 1,750 sq ft vintage barn. The Cottage, a larger and more upscale venue option, boasts over 6,000 sq ft of interior space and an additional 4,000 sq ft of covered exterior space. Visit our blog for more wedding tips and if you are interested in learning more about our venues, contact us today to schedule a tour!