Is red acceptable to wear to a wedding?

“ If the wedding or the couple is less traditional, or the dress code is a little more creative, I don't think there's anything wrong with wearing red as a wedding guest ,” adds Hurwitz.

Can you wear red to a Mexican wedding?

You should avoid wearing white or red by any means to any Mexican wedding . Wearing white is considered rude to the bride since they will definitely be wearing white, so choosing to wear the same color on their special day is considered rude. Red, on the other hand, is more of an urban legend.

What colors to wear to a wedding as a guest?

Neutral shades are timeless options that won't detract from the wedding's formal atmosphere. For a more colorful look, consider wearing shades of blue, lavender, or pink to show that you're in the celebratory spirit. If the wedding is in a tropical destination, opt for colors like yellow, orange, and green.

Can you wear a red jumpsuit to a wedding?

Weddings in hotter climates are usually more laidback, with couples choosing a relaxed dress code, so this is the perfect time to throw on that floaty red dress or jumpsuit you've been dying to wear .

What colors not to wear to a wedding?

Leave all white, ivory, and champagne-hued shades alone, unless the invitation specifically designates an all-white dress code. "White and ivory are such a stark, prominent color that when you are the only one, as the bride, wearing it, all eyes are on you," says Avrumson.

What does wearing red mean?

The Color Red Symbolizes Passion and Desire But red does not always signal danger and aggression. Perhaps not surprisingly, red also symbolizes passion, love, and desire. These associations could explain why people wearing red are consistently rated as more attractive by the opposite sex.

Can you wear red to a wedding? (2024)

When you’re invited to a wedding as a guest, it can sometimes feel like the dress code is just that, a code you need to crack, especially if they want to follow a specific theme and colour palette. However, whether you’re attending a formal or informal wedding, there is one unwritten rule all guests follow: your outfit should never take focus away from or upstage the bride and groom in any way.

Traditionally, this meant that the colour red was a big no no for wedding guests and should be avoided, but feelings around red have shifted as we move into a different time period for weddings. In this article, we will be looking at and answering whether you can wear red to a wedding, so you can feel comfortable in a colour that works for you when attending a wedding and that doesn’t detract from the marrying couple.

Why was red on the wedding outfit blacklist?

There’s no hiding from red, it is a very bold colour and traditionally it has scared both guests and bridesmaids away from wearing it out of fear that it would be too attention-grabbing for a wedding. If you see it in a wedding photo, you can’t help but focus on it, especially if it amongst more neutral and subtle colours like the white of a wedding dress.

What is the current view of wearing red to a wedding?

Over time as weddings have become less restrictive and fixated on the “rules” of the past, so have the outdated ideas concerning guest attire and what colours can and can’t be worn at a wedding. Many couples are now more creative and freer with their wedding designs which as a result broadens the horizons for what guests can wear without feeling like they have made a big mistake or gone against what the couple want.

How to dress red for seasonal weddings

Fall and winter weddings

The great thing about red is that there are a lot of different shades which can be very advantageous if you’re dressing for a seasonal wedding. For an autumn or winter wedding, there are a number of red shades that will fit the mood and aesthetic like the increasingly popular burgundy. If you’re a bridesmaid or are looking for a more formal dress as a guest, we have a beautiful collection of burgundy bridesmaid dresses that work perfectly for cold weather weddings.

Are there any times where you can’t wear red to a wedding?

Naturally you can’t wear red if it has been explicitly said by the couple not to wear the colour. Although this might not be a common occurrence at many weddings, red is a significant and valued colour in certain cultures. Therefore, if you are attending a wedding, you know is incorporating cultural beliefs you should consider that red might already be a big part of the day and isn’t the right colour for this occasion.

Going back to wearing red at UK or other Western culture weddings, it still requires careful consideration. Whilst a lot of couples are more relaxed in terms of traditions, some might want to take a more formal approach and red probably won’t fit in with what they want or the setting in which the wedding is taking place.

Top tips for choosing the right red dress for a wedding

Be respectful- as mentioned above you should be mindful of the cultural beliefs of the couple when choosing what colour to wear to the wedding. Not only this but if you are wearing red, there are ways to play it down and not go out of your way stand out as this could be perceived as disrespectful to the couple.
Choose the right shade of red- depending on the season and overall aesthetic the couple of going for, there are many circ*mstances in which red can look amazing without being overpowering. Maids to Measure offer dresses in light and dark tones to help you find the best option.
Feel confident in your decision- make sure you are fully happy with your choice of dress as you could be wearing it all day, which isn’t great if the dress makes you uncomfortable or the colour isn’t right for the day. Maids to Measure has a wide selection of comfortable and affordable dresses that are great for both bridesmaids and wedding guests.

Summary

To answer the main question of the article, yes you can wear red to a wedding in most circ*mstances. However, in some situations you may want to check with the marrying couple that red is acceptable to wear as a guest and it won’t go against their culture or distract from their big day. Explore our range of guest and bridesmaid dresses online today to find the right dress to suit the occasion.