Can a Woman Wear Black to a Wedding?

Etiquette has always played an important and intimidating role in weddings, right down to the attire of the guests. Black, that trendy and oh-so-slimming color, never goes out of style, and women often wonder if they can wear it to weddings.

History

Historically, it was frowned upon to wear black to a wedding, because black is traditionally connected with mourning. It has also been thought to convey a feeling of negativity toward the bride and groom. However, this rule is often ignored, and black may be worn, under certain circumstances.

Time of the Wedding

If the wedding is being held in the morning or early afternoon, it is more appropriate to wear lighter colors; black should be avoided. An evening wedding or reception calls for darker, more sophisticated attire, and a black dress would not be out of place.

Season

Being clothed all in black for a winter wedding is fine, but a guest should take care to avoid looking dressed for a funeral. The famed "little black dress" has become common for formal events, and is fine to wear for either a winter or a summer wedding. To prevent the appearance of mourning, try adding a colorful scarf or piece of jewelry.

The Bride

The most important factor to consider is the opinion of the bride. Taking her age and personality into account, is she likely to follow the "no black" rule? Many brides nowadays even choose black as a bridesmaid dress color, so it is not likely to be an issue. However, if doubts persist, there is a simple solution: wear something else!

References

• The Wedding Channel
• ForeverWed.com
• Polished Social Image Consultants