Can I request my guests do not wear black?

It only becomes a black tie affair if you print "Black Tie" on the invitations. Otherwise people will probably show up in jeans. And you can request no black all you want, that doesnt mean that all of your guests will respect your wishes.

I think it's a little weird to require a color code (dress code I can understand), but to each their own.

I know how to dress for a wedding and I don't like people telling me what color and I can't wear. I get that some people need to be told how to dress though (formal etc).

I just do not want the guests to match the bridal party...

Depending how formal your wedding is your guest will most likely be in black...

Mainly the guys in black suits. (Black pants, jacket etc)

Black is a common color that EVERY one has in their closet.

I understand WHY you don't want anyone in black, but I don't know if it's appropriate to put it on the invitation.

Then there are those people who might do it simply because you asked them not to, kwim?

People will know who the wedding party is regardless.

I get why BUT....

The wedding party will be distinguishable... I wouldn't worry about it. If I was the guest I would be irritated if I was asked not to wear black especially if I only had black in my closet. I wouldn't say anything, but I would be irritated.

Think of it like any other color... My bridesmaids are wearing purple, but if a guest wears purple they wont blend in.

It's OK to request the level of formality, but color is a bit too much. Are you having a black tie wedding though? There are all sorts of things that go with a black tie event that are beyond the color of BMs' dresses.

I would not put it on the invitation but I would state it nicely on your wedding website maybe in the FAQ about attire.

This is what I did to get the message out about our preference about jeans.

2. What is appropriate attire?

As this is an evening wedding out in the country, think Rustic Elegance. Meaning Semi-Formal with or without your cowboy boots. If you must wear jeans, Black over blue is preferred.

It is up to the guests to dress to decide in the end so if someone shows up in black - don't sweat it.

You can do whatever you want it's your wedding....but I would immediately think one thing as a guest...BRIDEZILLA!

I would be totally pissed if I were told I couldn't wear black. I don't have a ton of dressy outfits so I would probably not come if it means I am also *required* to go buy another outfit just so I can attend your wedding. It's nice to focus in on details when planning a wedding but dictating to that extent what your guests wear is a bit anal...

I personally don't like the idea of asking guests what color to wear.

Weird.

I'll be totally honest, if I got a wedding invitation that requested I not wear a specific color (especially black, since its such a common color for formal events), I would go along with it, but there would be a large eye roll. Dictacting what color your guests can or can't wear is a bit much.

Like a couple of other commenters said, people will still know who the bridal party is.

I def understand where i might get a few eye rolls......I am very cutious of events and wish everyone thougth like me- i make sure my dress isnt fancier than the venue or the wedding party or close to the same color...guess time will tell...

As a guest, how would you even know what color the wedding party is wearing to make sure you don't wear that color?

I agree with the others - people will know who the WP is and black is such a common color for people to wear, I wouldn't tell your guests they can't wear it.

I agree with other ladies asking to not wear a certain color would be wierd and black is a color most wear.

If you do a black tie affair you are letting your guest know that your wedding is formal and formal dress code is required.

As a guest, it never occurred to me to ask what color or how fancy the WP's attire is.

Trust me, no one is going to notice this.

Being told what NOT to wear .. would probably make me WANT to wear it.

I'd just be happy if nobody else wears white.

Over half my guests will be in the wedding colors (FH comes from an LDS family and that is just how they do things). I plan to just let them do their thing... everyone will know who my wedding party is. It's one of those things that's just not that important to me. BUT if it's important to you, maybe you could just tell a few people and ask them to spread the word. That's probably what I would do. I wouldn't actually put it in writing anywhere.