Wearing Black to a wedding.
 

I am going to a wedding and will be wearing a light colored silk cocktail dress. My friend is bringing a black tea length dress (wedding is in California-evening). I say black is still in bad taste, she says everyone does it.<BR><BR>We have dinner on this one--who is right?

Went to a wedding this weekend and about a third of the women wore black. It was a very elegant party, and the dresses made it even more so. <BR><BR>Things are different now than they were thirty years ago. It is very acceptable now to wear black to weddings.

Last wedding I went to, more than half the women wore black.

I say black is fine for an evening (after 5PM) wedding, any season. I personally would not wear black to an outdoor or informal wedding, and I think black is in very bad taste for a morning wedding, unless its the dead of winter.

Black is completely acceptable for weddings. My bridesmaids wore black dresses (at an 11:30am wedding - GASP!). Black is no longer just for mourning.

The black is now very much accepted. The only problem is if the bridesmaids wear black, it is very hard to tell weather they are guests or memebers of the bridal party. This is what happened at our son's wedding. I think black is great. It goes anywhere at any time.<BR><BR>Have fun

I almost always wear an elegant black dress for weddings no matter what time they are (lengths differ according to formal/less formal), but I live in a metropolitan area where it is accepted. I usually see lots of people dressed just like me at these weddings. So, sorry, I will have to agree with your friend. As long as she doesn't wear a pill box hat with a black veil, she will be dressed appropriately.

Not bad taste any more!<BR>We just went to a wedding where the attendants in the wedding wore black!<BR>

My mother always told me the same thing -- it is never proper to wear black or white to a wedding.<BR><BR>That being said, EVERYONE in NYC wears black to weddings. Of course, they wear black everywhere, but that's another story. . . .<BR><BR>I think this rule about black has simply gone by the wayside (I still would not wear white, though).

ok is this for real??? How about white? Sequins anyone? mickey mouse ears??

Black is fine, everyone wears it. I agree I wouldn't wear it outdoors or in the morning though.

Just because "everyone wears it, does not make it in good taste." Everyone wears t-shirts and jeans but would not (I hope) consider wearing that to a wedding. Black has become a type of uniform. I think a lady who wears black to a wedding does so because she is unaware of style and of colour, thinks she is too fat, has low self esteem or is on a limited budget. Don't wear black to a wedding, it is one of the few occasions left that cries for colour.

I fully agree, fashion consultant, and never wear black and was not pleased at how much black was worn at my wedding in 2001....but after living in NYC and other world capitals, I have to say IT IS DONE ALL THE TIME...so it is not bad etiquette, more a reflection of trends and also the options for sale at the stores these days.

I think it depends on the wedding. If an evening formal cocktail event, black is fine. Black is very sophisticated and everyone owns the "little black cocktail dress" which is fine for these type weddings. I personally liek color but believe black is fine for an evening wedding. For daytiem events or less formal weddings, black is still a faux pas in my and white, well don't get me started. I hate wearing white anyway, but for a wedding, that is just not right. the bride wears white and if you do too, it is seen as trying to "be the bride" or "steal her day".

Kate, you're going Dutch, because you're both right: it's in bad taste, and everyone does it.<BR>You should leave the tip, however, because it's inappropriate for one adult to correct another's manners--or did your friend as you?

People, people, people....how many eons ago were the "rules" given not to wear black to weddings...don't wear white before Memorial Day or after Labor Day... or the widow that had to wear black for a year.<BR>Times change as has clothing. Get over it - black can be worn anytime, anywhere. <BR>What drives me nuts is that I do not look good in black - it's way too harsh for my coloring - but it's all that I can find on the racks!

Those " Rules" about weddings also said that only a Virginal bride wore white:)<BR><BR>so I guess we know how important the rules are~

I'll chime in here to vote that black is acceptable for after 5pm. And never wear white! I really don't think black is acceptable for an outdoor or daytime wedding. <BR><BR>That said, Kate, I think it's appropriate for your friend to wear black as the wedding is in the evening. I say you're buying.

Why is wearing black to an outdoor event tabu??? I don't get it. Are the guests all supposed to look like flowers?

I don't think wearing black to an outdoor event is tabu. I do think wearing black to a daytime wedding IS tabu. I think what most on this board are assuming, maybe incorrectly, is that if the wedding is outdoors itt must be a daytime garden type wedding and yeas black would not be appropriate for this. I have attended an outdoor evening patio/garden type reception however which was very formal with candlelit tables, strolling musicians, and twinkly lights woven throught he foliage. Black to this outdoor event would be fine in my opinion.