Is There Any Rule Against Wedding Guests Wearing the Same Color as the Bridesmaids? (2024)

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Is There Any Rule Against Wedding Guests Wearing the Same Color as the Bridesmaids? (2)

Everyone's heard the old adage that women shouldn't wear white to a wedding, but that rule has been flipped upside down in recent years with more and more couples requesting guests dress in all-white attire. So, when it comes to choosing attire as a guest, do you also need to worry about blending in with the bridal party? The short answer is no, but here's what you need to know to avoid looking like a bridesmaid.

Is it okay to ask what the bridesmaids are wearing so I can avoid looking like one of them?

Lizzie Post, host of the podcast Awesome Etiquette from the Emily Post Institute, says that no guest should ever feel embarrassed if they happen to wear the same color as the bridesmaids, but they can ask in advance what the colors will be if they're concerned about it. Post says, "I think it's really nice when the couple chooses to post the bridal party colors on the wedding website," so guests can be aware of what colors to avoid.

Is it okay to wear a bridesmaids' dress from a different wedding?

Post says it's totally acceptable to reuse a dress as long as it fits the formality of the wedding. "If you had a beautiful, flowy, silky gown that you wore to another wedding as a bridesmaid and you're heading to a backyard barbecue wedding, I really don't think that's the choice you want to make," Post says, "but as long as the dress fits the formality of the wedding, I think you're going to feel comfortable in it."

How can you style a bridesmaid dress so it doesn't look so bridal if you're reusing a dress from a previous wedding?

Claudia Hanlin, owner of Wedding Library, recommends steering away from accessorizing the dress in a way that feels too neutral, which she says is typically how a wedding party will style a bridesmaid dress. "Maybe wear a chunky necklace or a funky pair of shoes or a leather bomber jacket, or whatever it is that makes it feel like your own." She says as long as it's within the dress code of the wedding, you should be able to pull it off.

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Is There Any Rule Against Wedding Guests Wearing the Same Color as the Bridesmaids? (2024)

FAQs

Is There Any Rule Against Wedding Guests Wearing the Same Color as the Bridesmaids? ›

The colour scheme, when it comes to what to wear, is designed for the bridal party i.e. the groom, groomsmen, bridesmaids, pageboys etc. Unless you're in that bridal party, you'd be best to steer clear of trying to match them. Think of it a bit like a stage show.

Can wedding guests wear the same color as the bridesmaids? ›

There are no hard-and-fast rules for guest attire, at least beyond what the formality of the occasion itself dictates. If you feel up to it, you could ask the bride (or one of her attendants) what she thinks -- she actually might love the idea of having some of her guests coordinate with her theme.

Do wedding guests have to match the wedding colors? ›

In recent years, some couples have started requesting guests to wear specific colors so that their pictures look good. Unless the invitation specifies that, there is no etiquette for color, other than no one but the bride should wear white.

Can wedding guests wear any color? ›

Choosing what color to wear as a wedding guest should be based on the venue of the wedding. The most important aspect is that your outfit should not compete with the wedding's overall look and feel.

Can mother in law wear the same color as bridesmaids? ›

Because the mother of the groom isn't part of the bridal party, she should avoid choosing a dress in the same color as the bridesmaids' attire, the mother of the bride's dress, or the wedding gown.

What happens if you accidentally wear the same color as your bridesmaids? ›

Ultimately, while not following this guideline could technically be seen as rude, chances are no one will really notice unless your clothing looks very similar. In most cases though, it's always best practice to choose something different than what any members of the wedding party are wearing!

How do you ask wedding guests not to wear a certain color? ›

If you're going to request a certain dress code or color from your guests, be upfront about this from the beginning. That means notifying them of this on the invitation or even the save the date. This gives guests time to find an appropriate outfit or bow out if they're not able to follow it.

What colour is taboo for wedding guests? ›

White, off-white, and the bridal party hue are all off-limit colors for wedding guest dresses and men's attire. While the rules about these shades are straightforward, some colors and fabrics fall into a gray area. You likely won't get scolded for wearing them, but they're not the best options.

How do you tell guests to wear a certain color? ›

First, get the wording right. Your wedding guests will be looking for your dress code—but might not love being told exactly what to wear. Thus, you should be careful with your phrasing. Alongside your attire, try something along the lines of, "Please indulge us by dressing in white, if you don't mind."

Can you wear the same color as the groom? ›

While there is no strict requirement for the groom and groomsmen to wear matching attire, it is a common tradition that adds a sense of cohesion and visual harmony to the wedding party. Matching attire can create a cohesive aesthetic and highlight the groom's role as the central figure.

What is the taboo color for wedding dress? ›

Steer clear of off-white, eggshell, beige, champagne, cream, or any other super light color that could be mistaken for white. There are so many dress options available in a variety of hues, so steering clear of these shades should not be a major issue.

Can I wear a cream floral dress to a wedding? ›

It's generally disrespectful to wear white, cream, or ivory to a wedding, especially if the dress is bridal or could upstage the bride. However, there are exceptions, such as if the dress has a lot of patterns, or if the wedding theme or dress code is all white, or black and white.

Can you wear blush to a wedding as a guest? ›

If you're considering a blush or pale mint look for a wedding, try photographing the ensemble in sunlight. If it retains its pink or green hue, it's fine to wear. If it looks white, skip.

Is it OK to wear the same color dress as the mother of the bride? ›

To augment the distinction, you can choose different accessories. It's best to stay away from white or any shade matching the dress of the bride unless you have her explicit consent. The good news is that MOB and MOG dresses are not relegated to the realm of boring colors any more.

Is it OK for mother of bride and mother of groom to wear same color? ›

Generally yes, according to Valiente. "Open communication is key to nailing the color selection," she says. "If the mother of the bride is matching the bridesmaids' color palette, the bride and groom might request the mother of the groom to also match.

Should my fiance's sister-in-law be a bridesmaid? ›

First off: There's no real tradition surrounding the concept of asking your sister-in-law to be a bridesmaid. The concept of having bridesmaids is relatively new. So, the short answer is no, it's not rude to choose not to make your sister-in-law a bridesmaid.

What should a female guest wear to a wedding? ›

Women wedding guests should wear full-length dresses, be it a ballgown, a sheath or an A-line dress. High heels are strongly recommended. Feel free to accessorize with opulent jewelry and even elbow-length white silk gloves.

Can bridesmaids and groomsmen wear the same color? ›

Matching your bridesmaids to your groomsmen is a great way to run an aesthetic and theme through your big day. It has a sense of unison for the wedding party. There's a whole array of items you can colour match these days. The most popular is probably colour matching the wedding ties.

Can you wear black to a wedding as a guest? ›

As long as it's not considered culturally inappropriate or against the dress code, you can wear black to a wedding. Depending on where the couple is exchanging vows, which season their special day is taking place in, and what time of day everything begins, black may or may not be your best color option.

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