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Abbie
Devoted June 2022 Nova Scotia

Wearing black to a wedding?

Abbie, on October 18, 2021 at 08:16 Posted in Wedding fashion 0 18
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Hi all! I have never been to a wedding a guest, only in the wedding party myself. I have a wedding to attend at the end of the month and was planning on wearing a long black dress (with beading around the neck) and a dusty pink shawl. Bride’s only direction was she wanted evening dresses.


However, I recently came across the rule of not wearing black to a wedding. Google seems to say it’s fine on all the etiquette sites but a couple people I’ve spoken to in real life were adamant that it wasn’t.
What are your thoughts on a woman wearing black (with colourful accents) to a fall wedding?

18 Comments

Latest activity by Abbie, on October 23, 2021 at 09:38
  • Abbie
    Devoted June 2022 Nova Scotia
    Abbie ·
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    I think just in case any older relatives took offence Smiley smile
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  • C
    Super December 2020 Ontario
    Carmel ·
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    I don't understand why you can't be in black for the formal pics. It's literally the most flattering and most elegant... Our whole wedding party was in black. Timeless and classic.
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  • Meghan
    Devoted September 2022 Ontario
    Meghan ·
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    I totally agree with you!

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  • C
    Super December 2020 Ontario
    Carmel ·
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    Yup! It's the most formal!!! You're not wrong with that at all.
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  • Abbie
    Devoted June 2022 Nova Scotia
    Abbie ·
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    That’s a very fair point! No, this is a friend who I’ve only known a couple years. I’m very honoured to be invited, but can’t imagine I’ll be in many formal pics!
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  • Abbie
    Devoted June 2022 Nova Scotia
    Abbie ·
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    Thank you, Carmel! Honestly when I read black-tie I picture black dresses 🤷🏻‍♀️
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  • Abbie
    Devoted June 2022 Nova Scotia
    Abbie ·
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    Thank you, Meghan! I personally feel the same way - I don’t worry about any potential “symbolism” because let’s face it, then I’d have to subscribe to many other outdated superstitions! I think not wearing white makes sense as a courtesy but I can’t see why a non-mourning dress should be a problem…
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  • Abbie
    Devoted June 2022 Nova Scotia
    Abbie ·
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    Thanks Hank!
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  • Abbie
    Devoted June 2022 Nova Scotia
    Abbie ·
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    Great - thank you! It definitely doesn’t read as a sombre dress to me.
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  • Abbie
    Devoted June 2022 Nova Scotia
    Abbie ·
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    Hi Samantha - that definitely helps! I don’t want to be disrespectful at all but I’m also spending a lot to get to the wedding (out of province) so if I could wear a dress I already own that would certainly help me out x)
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  • Carling
    Frequent user November 2021 Ontario
    Carling ·
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    I think it’s fine to wear black to a wedding as long as long as it’s not your immediate family who is getting married where you may be in multiple professional photos.
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  • C
    Super December 2020 Ontario
    Carmel ·
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    Definitely a cultural thing. Black is so common for weddings, especially black-tie optional. Personally, I don't think black always looks like you're going to a funeral and most would not care. If they're asking for dressy evening wear I think it's safe to assume black is fine. We expected most of our guests in black for our winter black-tie wedding. I would wear black!
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  • Meghan
    Devoted September 2022 Ontario
    Meghan ·
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    Hi Abbie! Yes they do say that you shouldn't wear white or black to a wedding but IMO if someone wears black to a wedding its not a big deal! I would personally wear black to a wedding because i love wearing black lol and I don't really care if someone wears black to my wedding! I think what you have picked will be just fine!

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  • Hank
    Featured September 2021 Ontario
    Hank ·
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    This is more of a cultural thing. Some people won't care while some will be very much against it. I would just check with the couple.

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  • Stacey Tc
    Devoted August 2022 Saskatchewan
    Stacey Tc ·
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    I have two dresses that are mostly black with peak-a-boo accent colours both which I've worn to weddings before.
    With the beading around the neck I would definitely classify it as a formal/celebration dress not a somber dress.

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  • S
    Frequent user October 2024 Ontario
    Samantha ·
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    Hey Abbie.

    I do not see a problem with wearing black to a wedding. My fiancée and I attended a wedding last weekend, over thanksgiving. I wore a black roper suit with a jean jacket. I believe the couple should be happy to see you there to celebrate their day , rather than bothered by you wearing black. Hope this helps! Smiley smile

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  • Abbie
    Devoted June 2022 Nova Scotia
    Abbie ·
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    Ok thank you!
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  • Amanda
    Featured August 2022 British Columbia
    Amanda ·
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    I personally wouldn't wear black to a wedding imo even if you do have a colorful scarf to go with it. Black means bad luck like death or divorce

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