Would you wear black to a daytime wedding? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

About: Karen's Summer Style: Casual Day Wedding

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Would you wear black to a daytime wedding?

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Karen looks beyond stunning in Angie's blog post, but my first thought was "she wore black to a wedding?" I'm not always a stickler for these sorts of rules but I thought this was one that still stuck around. I know that the prohibition against wearing white or ivory has pretty much passed, but I haven't seen many people wearing all black to a wedding (assuming it's not black tie).

I know the connotations of colors are different in other parts of the world, but here I'm talking about North America. Am I hopelessly out of date with this one?

Dressing

31 replies

Latest reply was from Zibbets

rachylou

Veteran

I've always thought it traditional to wear black to a wedding... you wear your best, and often people's best must cover all situations.

Elly

Veteran

Last 2 weddings I went two 90% of the guests were in black and they were daytime functions, and Karen is wearing black and white, which I think is a very common wedding combo nowdays-- especially in patterns. I think you have to run with a very specific set of people (certain conservative churches or social circles) for black not to be appropriate!

ironkurtin

Veteran

Yup. I think it's fine.

Diana

Veteran

I think it's fine. I think every wedding I've been to, regardless of time of day, had at least a couple of women in black. Besides, it's always acceptable for a man to wear a black suit, so why wouldn't it be the same for women?

gryffin

Veteran

I just did! Diana has a good point too, men would not think twice about wearing a black suit. Plus, anyone who actually invites me to their event would not expect me to show up in another color, they'd be shocked if I did!!

Diana

Veteran

Coming back to add that the only consideration might be that you may look overdressed if it is a more casual wedding. IMO a black dress will look more dressy than the exact same dress in a different color.

crutcher

Veteran

I would definitely wear black or whatever color I felt like with the exception of white or ivory...I think black is really a chic choice...
Maybe this is the same old rule as don't wear white after Labor Day or before Memorial Day...smile...

N-Marie

Veteran

That's an interesting question- I actually was not aware that there was a sentiment against black clothing at weddings, although I could see an all-black outfit being perceived as funereal or somber. The white pattern in Karen's pants was enough lightness to make it not seem somber to me.
That said, my personal choice would probably gravitate to lighter colors for a daytime summer wedding based solely on my preference for lighter colors in the summer and because I'll take any chance I can to wear color .

bj1111

Veteran

absolutely. wouldn't even think about it. i have another wedding to go to on the 1st of nov and i'm wearing black (with ink blue sequinned pants--don't ask).

Joy

Veteran

I would dress like it is a joyful occasion. Karen's outfit looks dressy but fun and happy. I would not wear funeral black to a close relative's wedding for fear of sending a message that I disapproved. This may be antiquated Midwest thinking though, but it still couldn't do it. I would not wear Karen's outfit to a funeral.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I have worn a dressy black suit to a daytime wedding at a fancy, conservative church, in the Deep South, because that black suit was the nicest thing I owned at the time. I felt fine wearing it, and the bride - a co-worker never known for mincing her words - didn't have a problem with it. I have also worn a black cocktail dress with fuschia detailing to a 6pm wedding at a winery. It was kind of a fancypants cocktail event, and a lot of ladies wore black and dark colors.

That being said, I prefer to wear bright happy colors at a wedding - in theory. In practice, I feel my most sophisticated in black or white/ivory/cream. And we all know that white/ivory/cream is a big NO.

Style Fan

Veteran

I wore a black linen dress to several weddings. My attendants and the flower girl for my second wedding wore black. I think lots of people wear black to weddings.

Aida

Veteran

Personally no, but that's more an issue with me not enjoying wearing black. It doesn't strike me as inappropriate in any way although I do find it a bit heavy and dark for a cheerful event. As Joy said, Karen's outfit is still rather playful and cheerful (and has enough lightness to break up the black) so it seems perfectly appropriate to me.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Laura, I do have a certain reluctance about wearing black to a wedding, along the lines of Joy's point: I wouldn't want to look like I'm dressing for a funeral--and hence showing a sense of sadness, loss, or regret over the marriage itself. But like Joy, I think there are different ways of wearing black--celebratory outfits involving another color (such as white, and skin, as Karen shows) or more somber outfits that allow us to recede into our contemplation. (Others might wear brighter colors to a funeral, too, in celebration of the deceased person's life.) Ultimately, I think it's more a matter of mood being conveyed in the outfit than color. As others point out, too, black is often the color of our most dressy clothes, so it stands to reason it would show up at a wedding.

Elle

Veteran

In my neck of the woods, black is perfectly acceptable at a wedding as long as the outfit doesn't read funeral attire. The only prohibition I think people still observe is to not wear all white (too bridal) to a wedding

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I did wear a black dress one time to a wedding, but I was one week post partum and that's the only dressy dress that fit me. I prefer other colors, or like Karen's outfit, white mixed with black. But I don't think anything is wrong with wearing all black if that's what suits you.

DonnaF

Veteran

I wouldn't wear a solid swath of black to a wedding, but to me, the Karen version of black is fine because it doesn't read funereal. I would not wear an all white or all cream outfit outfit, but I am also not likely to ever own such a beast.

rabbit

Veteran

I agree with Firecracker. So much is about the vibe of the outfit (material and cut), the accessories, skin showing, and other colors in the outfit. Black outfits can be happy and chic, just like outfits of any other color, and therefore great for celebrations like weddings to my mind.

Anonymous

I would not wear black to a wedding either afternoon or evening.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

My understanding is that some consider wearing black to a wedding to be a sign that they do not approve. We've all heard the MIL stories. I think the look of a dress one would wear to a funeral is significantly different than one for a celebration. But then there were a lot of people wearing jeans at the last funeral I attended.

Echo

Veteran

Generally speaking, I would absolutely wear black to a wedding, provided the overall outfit did not read too somber or funereal. However, I would not wear black to a relative's wedding for the fear that it could be misconstrued, and I wouldn't suggest a mother of the bride or groom wear black unless she knew it was okay with the couple.

Dee

Veteran

For most evening weddings I've been to in the last decade (and there have been a lot!) the majority of the guests were in black. For the fewer afternoon weddings, there was definitely more variety, but always some wearing black. If it was a beach wedding, maybe I'd reconsider, but otherwise I wouldn't think twice.

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

My husband is from a good sized italian American Bay Area family & we see black @ weddings. What would shock them? White shoes! Nude is preferred...

Debbie

Veteran

I have no problem with it and have done it.

camille

Member

i also think it be fine in today wedding.black no more than means unlucky.however,this color becomes the lover of all designers.
black wedding dresses,black prom dresses,black bridesmaid dresses are all their products.
Fina at: http://www.gbridal.com/

Deborah

Veteran

My special occasion capsule is all black (surprise) and I always wear black to weddings (day or evening). Last wedding I added a white jacket to a black dress. I might accessories with a touch if red, but it's black all the way.

Astrid

Veteran

I've seen black at weddings too. Black and white especially is a typical color combination for weddings in our neck of the woods. It's kind of traditional, often worn by older ladies. From pictures I know that both my Omas wore black and white to the wedding of my parents.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I did :).
Went to a 4:00 wedding in early Sept, in my EF drape front dress, Okalas, and my fushia leather jacket.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Absolutely! East coaster here, and black is common. I would keep the accessories lighter maybe, and show skin...but yes, I have worn black to daytime weddings. I think the venue is important to consider, too.

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