WHEN IT comes to wedding etiquette, there are a few hard and fast rules that guests should always follow.
Recently, however, people are starting to bend some of them, and guests are wondering if it’s okay to wear red to a wedding.
Traditionally, the answer to whether or not a red dress would be appropriate for a wedding would be a hard no.
The reasoning behind this rule is that red is so bright it draws instant attention to you and can take attention away from the bride.
Think about a photo of you with the bride, presumably dressed in white.
She will look washed out, and you’ll likely look like you’re seeking attention.
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There is also a rumor floating around Reddit and other websites that says that if a guest wears red, it signifies that she has had a fling with the groom.
While this claim has no merit, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
There are a few exceptions to the rule against wearing red.
One is dependent on the shade of red that you’re wearing.
The other is dependent on the cut of the dress.
For example, a cranberry-colored midi-length cocktail dress is probably okay, especially in the fall when jewel tones abound and it’s near the holidays.
If you want to wear a dress with red accents, that’s probably okay, too.
It’s all about your judgment.
A scarlet or merlot-colored dress is probably a safe bet, assuming your hemline and the silhouette of the dress are appropriate.
On the other hand, rose, crimson, and candy-colored reds should be a no-go.
If in doubt, text a photo of your dress to the bride’s mother or maid-of-honor (never text a bride about this, she has enough on her plate.)
The most obvious answer here is not to wear white, cream, or anything that could possibly be mistaken for white.
You should probably also double-check if you’re unfamiliar with the bride and groom’s religions.
Some colors are a-okay to wear in certain cultures but might be deemed disrespectful in others.
