Wedding Dress Code Question

Updated on October 11, 2011
D.K. asks from Bellevue, WA
17 answers

Hello all, I have to attend my husband's ex-colleague's wedding this month. The bride mentioned that the wedding colors are purple and fall colors, like a deep orange or greens. She also mentioned anything but white is okay for the guests. I had especially asked her since I didn't want to offend her on her special day and we are just an acquaintance.

So my question is, since she mentioned purple, orange and green as her wedding colors, does she mean I should avoid them in the dress I wear to her wedding? We are not going to the church, i think its just a reception hall.
I already bought a couple dresses from Macy's, one is a black sleeveless with a white belt and loose frills on the front, the other is a deep purple'ish blue plain 3/4th sleeves chiffon dress with a wrap like torso. Which one would be appropriate or its a non-question?

Thanks in advance,
D/

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So What Happened?

Thank you ladies!
And no i don't think its a new thing where bride dictates what guests should wear - its just that I think too much LOL!
Anyways, thanks for the wonderful inputs :) Have a great day!

Featured Answers

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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

i think anything you want to wear besides white is fine. I think any of the fall colors will work - it doesnt matter if it is the same colors in the bridal party.

2 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from San Francisco on

Hmmmm, I was thinking the exact same thing as Malia.

I would not coordinate with the wedding party and would not wear white. Any other color is fine, in my opinion.

1 mom found this helpful

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M.B.

answers from Austin on

I just have a question... is this something new where the bride determines what the guests wear?

6 moms found this helpful

C.P.

answers from Columbia on

You absolutely can color-coordinate. It's okay. Wear whichever dress you like.

3 moms found this helpful

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Generally the wedding colors are only restricted on close family since you would be in the formal pictures.

Since she did say anything but white is okay for the guests I would take that as meaning she has no problem with you wearing the wedding colors.

2 moms found this helpful
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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I bought a really cute dress for my BIL's wedding when I was married to my ex and everyone in the family told me I could not wear it. It matched the bridal party color exactly. They said it was like I was trying to insinuate myself into their special status. So, if you have a dress that is very near or the same as her colors I would accessorize it with other colors so it would not stand out and take away from her theme.

She said anything but white too, I think either of these dresses would be fine, plus she'll only see you for a flash of a moment of her long day. She may not even remember seeing what you have on unless it is obviously the same color as the bridal party dresses and very similar in style.

2 moms found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

I have only tried to avoid white, but not any colors the bride might have in the wedding. Your style of dress will tell everyone you are a guest.

2 moms found this helpful
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A.H.

answers from Dallas on

Since her color choice is fall colors of purple, orange & green, those are her favorite colors, therefore wearing her favorite colors would be great and you would not offend her. I would go with the purple/blue one. Depending on the weather the sleeveless black one may be too summer-looking and you may get chilly and would have to carry a wrap or something to keep you warmer...??? Just a thought. Enjoy the wedding!

1 mom found this helpful
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L..

answers from Roanoke on

Sounds like either dress would be beautiful!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from Seattle on

I would go with the last one, the purplish-blue one. It sounds elegant without full out doing her wedding colors, and its not black so no one will be offended. Sounds beautiful, have fun!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.D.

answers from Dallas on

Whichever you feel your best in. No colors other than white or off-white are inappropriate for weddings.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Dallas on

The blue one for sure! You are welcome to wear her colors of her bridesmaids....but it would make you look like you might be related. Usually the attendees that are directly related to the bride or groom wears the same colors of the bridesmaids....Like the Mother of the Bride, Sister or brother of the bride, cousin of the bride...you get the point. Not typically cool to wear black or white to a wedding...especially if she is a traditional type...which it sounds like she is.

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C.J.

answers from Dallas on

I love it when people where color to weddings. I'd go with the lovely colored wrap dress.
Also, I don't believe she was implying anything when she told you the colors of her bridal party, just gushing as we all like to do about our weddings:)

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S.L.

answers from San Diego on

I think you should wear which ever one you like best. I got married in the fall and people wore black, burgundy, gold, the whole gamut..

The black sleeveless with the belt sounds VERY pretty...as does the purple one...I'm sure it's not "plain" on.

T.K.

answers from Dallas on

I think either would be fine but I would go with the black. I avoid the wedding colors just to keep from looking like I am part of the wedding party.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from Dallas on

Nope, wear anything but a white dress. Somebody might notice it as coincedence, but nobody will care.

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E.T.

answers from Albuquerque on

Either one sounds like it would be fine. Even if her wedding colors include purple, your purplish-blue isn't going to look like you tried to match. Aren't you nice to care about this - so many people wouldn't!

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