Is it rude/inconsiderate to wear red to a wedding?

[winogcrehan]

Hey Ladies, I need your advice. I found this eally beautiful dress that looks amazing on me.
I was thinking about wearing it to a wedding. The wedding starts at 4pm for the ceremony and reception will shortly follow at about 6 - 7pm. I was telling a friend about it, and she thinks that I shouldn't wear red, because it will be 'asking for too much attention' and it's rude. I never really thought about this before, so I need advice. What do you guys think? Is it rude/inconsiderate to wear red to a wedding?

 

[AdrianLvsRocky]

I really don't think so. I've been to plenty of weddings where guests have worn red. A few people wore red to my wedding - it didn't even cross my mind that there was anything wrong with it.

I think the only real no-no for weddings is white/ivory colours for obvious reasons.

I recently wore red to a friend's wedding. Albeit because she asked me and a few friends to do so, so that we'd match the wedding colours. I think red was a nice foil to her white dress.

I've honestly never heard of red being an issue so don't think you have anything to worry about.

 

[Flicka]

I agree with Adrian - I've been to plenty of weddings where people wore red. The only no-nos I know is white, like Adrian said, and black because it's a joyous occasion and hence black (for women obviously) isn't appropriate.

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

I think it's probably o.k. for the ladies to wear a red dress for a wedding, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want a guy wearing a bright red suit to my wedding, truly disgusting colored tuxes are reserved for the groomsmen...

 

[Drappa]

It may be a cultural thing perhaps. Don't Chinese brides wear red on their wedding day? Maybe your friend got confused, because unless the bride is wearing it I also don't see anything wrong with it. At least it's not jeans...

 

[Mrs Chaddsley_Corbett]

I Think it highly inappropriate if your the On friendly terms, Ex-Wife

 

[sheeplady]

I have always heard that one shouldn't wear red or white to a wedding unless you are asked to do so by the bride. White tries to look like the bride, and red is such an eye catching color it draws attention away from the bride.

Or at least those are the rules i've heard/ read in ettiquette books.

In the end, it's up to you. If you really like the dress, and don't think the bride or her family would mind or care, go for it!

 

[scottyrocks]

Can you ask the bride? Are you close enough?

 

[Amy Jeanne]

Spam? I remember posts like this before that linked to that website.

 

[Flicka]

I have always heard that one shouldn't wear red or white to a wedding unless you are asked to do so by the bride. White tries to look like the bride, and red is such an eye catching color it draws attention away from the bride.

Or at least those are the rules i've heard/ read in ettiquette books.

In the end, it's up to you. If you really like the dress, and don't think the bride or her family would mind or care, go for it!

This must be one of those cultural things, because I've never seen it in etiquette books here (not that I've read any printed after 1960, but anyway). As for Britain, I consulted Debrett's and they say:

Head-to-toe outfits in white or cream should never be worn and all black, unless cleverly accessorised, may look too sombre.

They say nothing about red, so I assume that Debrett's thinks it OK, anyway (and they know British etiquette).

Maybe America has rules of its own?

 

[betty amazing]

I'd ask the bride if you can - some people have really odd rules when it comes to their wedding. When I get hitched I'm sure I wouldn't be too fussed - I'd only think it was a little bit odd if you were wearing a pale, 'bridal' colour.

xx

 

[fortworthgal]

The only "rule" I've heard is to avoid wearing white or ivory.

When we got married, I could barely tell you what my own parents wore! It just isn't something you notice or worry about on your wedding day.

I think the dress will be just fine!

 

[Miss sofia]

I think any colour, apart from what shade the bride is wearing is fair game really. I have worn black to a few weddings. I think upstaging the bride by wearing her colour is the major faux pas. These days i think the majority of people are fairly relaxed about wedding attire, perhaps even a little too relaxed!

 

[sheeplady]

Apparently, wearing red to a wedding is now considered an "outdated" etiquette rule:
http://www.divinecaroline.com/22072/100574-old-five-outdated-wedding-rules

So I'll admit I'm wrong. And I apparently run with told-fashioned people!

 

[dhermann1]

Yes! This thread is SPAM! Check the nonsensical other posts from this user. Bartender! The gong, please!

 

[LizzieMaine]

Indeed it is -- but the discussion itself is worth continuing. The Spam link is deleted, and the Spammer has come to the attention of the bartenders. Carry on.

 

[crazydaisy]

Well, I wore red with black accessories a few years ago at a friend's wedding back home in Romania. She couldn't have cared less, in fact complimented me about my choice, while she herself in her pale green knee length dress was less than the conventional bride, yet appropriate for the modest service in a quaint little church and the garden party that followed.
Still, other attendants gave me dirty looks, and I felt not only overdressed, but also inappropriately coloured. It was only after returning from the wedding that I read about red - as a colour block at least - not being a suitable choice for weddings as it is too loud. It might be worth to mention that the wedding took place in Eastern Europe, so perhaps in the context of a society that tends to be more traditional/old fashioned in some ways, the "no red" rule stood firm?! Yet when checking with my mother/grandmother, it did not seem to be a rule they were aware of., and I had seen people at weddings before wearing red...