My brother is getting remarried. I thought I was home free with my outfit because they were originally getting married in the spring in an outdoor venue and I have the perfect “garden” dress.
They recently change plans and now it’s an evening wedding in January. Average temps at night will probably be mid to high 40s.
I have a couple of options but need some advice. First off, is it OK to wear black?
If the answer is ‘no’, I need to go shopping ; )
My favorite option is a black sheath dress with an embellished neck line and a sheer matching long sleeved jacket. Not the warmest but we’ll be indoors (I hope!). The dress has a little swing to it, is super comfortable, and packs well.
Option two is an a-line, black cocktail length dressed. It’s very simple in the front but has some beaded crisscrossing in the upper back. The kind of dress that can easily be dressed up even more but I feel a bit old in it.
Option three is a grey ruched long sleeve dress with beaded embellishments in the shoulder. It was my mom’s dress so has some sentimentality since our parents are gone. Problem is that it’s one size too small and while it fits, I’m super conscious of my figure as it’s clingy. To me it would be more appropriate for date night with H than to my brother’s wedding (I think).
Here in the nyc metro area most wear black to weddings. I wore something like your first description to an indoor outdoor wedding in April on the water in Massachusetts. The ceremony was a little chilly but the jacket worked. We live 5 hours away and it traveled perfectly, very comfortable!
Last winter wedding we went to, I wore a burgundy silk shantung pants suit that had a long jacket. I had a black beaded sweater I wore under the jacket.
In my Midwest large city 80-90 percent of the women wear black to weddings. I’m always shocked when this is even a question. Surely your friends post pictures from their own kids weddings from time to time. Is black unusual? If not, go for it.
I almost wore a gorgeous black gown I own (from when I did solo singing) to the last wedding I went to. But instead, I was thrilled to wear the lavender dress I wore to DDs wedding 6 years ago. I never thought I would get to wear that dress which I really like) again!
I would likely only wear black if it had other colors in it and wasn’t solid black, but I don’t go to a lot of weddings/don’t know what’s appropriate now.
I’ve been to 12 weddings in the past 18 months and lots of women, all different ages, wear black. I also see lots of color- there are so many pretty dresses out there.
You mention the bride will be in a sari -so sounds like it is an Indian wedding ? If yes, do ask the bride if black is okay and sometimes red can be a no go too.
Black is fine - I’ve worn black to a few weddings (although I haven’t been to many weddings in recent years). #1 sounds like the right choice based on your description.
Black and red are typically not worn by guests at a traditional Indian wedding. However, often traditional weddings become a bit more relaxed and less rules-oriented in the U.S. The purpose of avoiding black is because a wedding is a joyous occasion, and black is considered too somber. Color is encouraged, especially jewel tones. This is all per my D’s friend, who was married in an Indian wedding last year. She said that she would not have cared if a guest wore black, but she suggests that you ask the bride.
Also, wear something you feel good in. I’ve realized that at weddings…NO ONE is looking at me or what I wear. They really are looking at the wedding couple…as it should be.
