If you’ve ever planned or attended a wedding (and chances are you may have done both) then you know etiquette comes up A LOT. But it’s not just who sits where and who pays for what. One of the biggest wedding etiquette questions we get from couples and guests is if you can wear black to a wedding? Well, here’s the quick answer.
Yes, depending on the dress code and culture.
Etiquette wise, it’s completely fine to wear black to a wedding if there are no specific instructions or cultural expectations. That wasn’t always the case, however. Several decades ago, especially in the United States, the color black was often associated with mourning the loss of a loved one. While it’s still the most appropriate color to wear to a funeral, in the past 20 years it’s also become a staple in everyone’s closet, which means it’s also a popular choice to wear to weddings as well.
Now, before you go rushing to your closet or favorite online store to get a black dress for that upcoming summer wedding, there are a couple things to consider.
The Wedding Dress Code
This is THE most important thing to consider when picking out your wedding guest attire. We’ve written about wedding dress codes at length, but the gist of it is that you need to plan your outfit around what the couple requests. You can often find the wedding dress code on the wedding website or, in the case of a black-tie wedding, on the wedding invitation itself. If it’s just a dress code (such as cocktail, black tie, or semi-formal) and there are no specific color instructions, then black is always an option. And in the case of black tie, a black tux and bowtie are generally expected for men, and a long evening gown (in any color but white) for women.
Some wedding dress codes will request you wear a certain color and/or dress for a particular theme, such as beach chic or retro glam. In that case, obviously black would be a big no-no. But the dress code isn’t the only thing you have to consider.
Cultural Context Matters
In certain cultures—particularly Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese— wearing black is considered inauspicious and frowned upon. And that can extend to all dark colors (and even red). Be sure to check the wedding invitation and ask your friend(s) throwing the wedding for even more clarification on what their expectations are to make sure you don’t make a mistake.
What Are Some Black Alternatives?
If the wedding dress code (or culture) does not give any rules about colors to wear, then black is always an option. If you want to go outside the box and wear something dark and moody but not quite black, colors we’re loving for wedding guests right now are emerald green, navy blue, and gold. Just remember that unless the invitation calls for it, white is always off the table!
See our favorite black wedding guest dresses on Pinterest!
All products featured on Woman Getting Married are independently selected by our editors. However, we may earn affiliate revenue on this article and commission when you buy something. Learn more.
