<p>I would not wear black to a wedding, but that’s just me. I like colors. I don’t see much black at weddings here in the south, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it with the right shoes and jewelry.</p>
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<p>Agreed. Or that the guest (in this case, me) will upstage the bride, who is tall young and beautiful. I just bought this for my nephew’s wedding. I don’t view it as a “white dress”:
[Studded</a> Mini Shift Dress | Rebecca Taylor](<a href=“http://www.rebeccataylor.com/studded-mini-shift-dress/invt/rt213534d444&bklist=icat,4,shop,rtshop,rtdresses]Studded”>http://www.rebeccataylor.com/studded-mini-shift-dress/invt/rt213534d444&bklist=icat,4,shop,rtshop,rtdresses)</p>
<p>I wouldn’t hesitate to wear black to a black tie evening wedding. I’d probably go for something else during the day. I’d also avoid white, unless it had colored trim. But if it is obviously non-bridal, I don’t think anyone would get wrought up about it.</p>
<p>Many years ago I attended a friend’s wedding and inadvertently wore the <em>exact</em> same strong color as the bridesmaid’s dresses. Despite the fact that another good friend was in the wedding party, we had never talked about the color of their dresses. My dress was teal with black details, and theirs were teal only. I was a little horrified when I saw them, but the bride seemed to think the coincidence was amusing.</p>
<p>To me, a black dress doesn’t seem happy enough or festive enough for the occasion, but I don’t think that opinion is widely held nowadays. Still, if I were going to wear a black dress to a summer wedding in Florida, I’d probably throw on a flowery shawl or something to lighten it up.</p>
<p>I guess I would suggest the same for a white dress – throw on a colorful shawl so that it doesn’t look as though you wish you were the bride. I admit that I’m probably old-fashioned on this topic and that most people don’t care, but I think it’s more fun to see wedding guests in floral and/or colorful outfits.</p>
<p>Classof2015 - looks like a white dress to me. 
And like something that might have been worn to hippie weddings back in my day, but you’ll probably be fine.</p>
<p>^thanks – peace (2 fingers held aloft) :)</p>
<p>Classof2015 - I like that dress. It is a white dress, but maybe not a “white dress.” I have no problem with any color at weddings. I never notice what other people are wearing at weddings. If everyone is there to celebrate the couple, then it should be a “judge-free” venue. If the wedding party is concerned about how their guests are dressed, they have a long row to hoe.</p>
<p>Thanks cartera45 – if you saw it IRL you’d see the bronze-tone nail heads and dusky strips down the side – yes – not a white dress in the traditional mode.</p>
<p>This wedding is the first for the bride; the second for my nephew. I couldn’t make it to his first wedding, but I heard it was beautiful. The older I get, the more I think it’s all about showing up. With love and hope for the married couple.</p>
<p>I have been debating whether to post here or not. I’m 57, raised in suburban Philadelphia, now living in Portland… I was appalled years ago when a guest came to my wedding in a black/white striped dress, and I would have been appalled if anyone came to my D’s wedding wearing black or white (and the bride wore purple). Please, don’t give people a reason to notice your dress; you’re not part of the bridal party.</p>
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<p>I can’t imagine being appalled by anything anyone wore to a wedding - unless someone showed up in an actual wedding dress - or maybe a suit of armor. If it is not irrelevant what other people wear, it should at least not be a major concern. If someone feels that strongly, then “color don’ts” should be printed on the invitation or schedule a mandatory uniform inspection prior to the ceremony.</p>
<p>In the Northeast, the majority of people wear black for an evening wedding - especially if it is black tie, or black tie optional.</p>
<p>However, I must agree with MOWC’s comment: “I don’t see much black at weddings here in the south…” I was one of only a handful of people in black at the past couple of summer southern weddings I attended - although…neither was in Florida, and neither called for “black tie”. (I knew most people wouldn’t be in black, but, living in the Northeast, I don’t have any dressy clothes in a color other than black!!!)</p>
<p>All right, I was a bit appalled by a friend of ours who wore a polo shirt to our black tie optional wedding. I look at the pictures now and laugh - he was so clueless! - but I wish someone had sent him the memo, he probably felt uncomfortable. </p>
<p>I do think it’s good to avoid white and black because you are likely to slightly irritate someone even if times have changed. I do know there were a lot of superstitions regarding the bad luck of black dresses. To me a white and black dress isn’t the same, but what do I know?</p>
<p>Again, I must run in different circles in the NE, because though I see black dresses at weddings, it’s never been anything near the majority.</p>
<p>Since I’ve lived in the Northeast my whole life, I guess that can be my excuse for deciding to wear black to a black tie optional wedding in Florida. I will be appropriately dressed for a wedding (no flip-flops or shorts), so should anyone care?</p>
<p>There seems to be a split here between those who think a black dress is fine and those who don’t. At the last black tie optional wedding I went to, we were seated at the brides’ parents tables along with other good friends of theirs. Except for the bride’s mother, all the other women were in black. This wedding was in New Jersey, but all the other people at our table were Californians.</p>
<p>I think a lot of it depends on the time of the day of the ceremony and reception. If it’s inside, in the evening, a black dress makes sense. It might look out of place at a 11 am service followed by a reception outdoors in the sunlight.</p>
<p>I am going to a wedding this Saturday evening in Bloomington, Indiana. Daughter nixed all but one of the choices in my closet as too casual. I went to Limited last night and bought (30% off and had an additional $15 off card) a flowered short dress with a semi-full skirt that is form-fitting and sleeveless on the top half. I got a black and gold belt and it’s really cute. It would be really great with strappy heels, which I’m not going to wear since I think we are walking about a mile to the event. I don’t own any anyway…</p>
<p>All of this raises an entirely different question in my mind: if it’s okay to wear black to a wedding, is it now okay to wear bright colors to a funeral?</p>
<p>My mother will probably pass away very soon, and I plan to wear bright pink to the memorial service. It’s her favorite color. I don’t generally wear black to funerals, but I don’t wear super bright colors either- maybe a bright skirt with a dark blazer.</p>
<p>I think it is very old-fashioned to judge someone’s emotional state by the color they wear. It is simply form over substance. That being said, it is likely riskier to wear bright red to a funeral than to wear black to a wedding. I believe black has long moved beyond being somber. All of the more modern sources I have consulted say that is is fine to wear black to a wedding and that the rule against is entirely outdated. Wearing white is riskier and more likely to garner judgment.</p>
<p>The idea, IMO, is: when in doubt, err on the side of caution. The LBD is just that. It fits “3 bears” - not too fancy, not too casual, just right. (Its not like you’re in a black suit- or full length black gown.) A pretty shawl or scarf to dress it up, if needed. Then if everyone is in darks and the shawl feels out of place, leave it on your chair.</p>
<p>Among some in the NE, funerals can be pretty traditional. If you think that’s the family, opt for “respectful.”</p>