Guest dress code request

No, you can't really ask people not to wear back...and honestly, I doubt many if anyone would. Most people do avoid that color for weddings and especially a casual outdoor one, in the spring no less.

I have worn black to literally every wedding I have gone to, and no one thought differently. I wouldn't request people not to wear black. They'll support you and make your day bright regardless of what colors they wear.

I think you have to be careful about the way you word this... definitely saying "no black" is not the way to go, but you could say something like "Dress code: Cocktail attire. Bright spring colors are encouraged!" Idk if you're doing cocktail attire but that was just an example lol. Like you could definitely say that you "recommend" or "encourage" people to wear colors. This will make wearing colors a positive thing, as opposed to wearing black being a negative thing. Keep in mind you will still probably get a couple people who wear black... but either way you probably won't get many. I would never wear black in the spring, that would just feel weird and off-season to me!

But I think putting a color recommendation is more than alright. Sort of like, you can put "formal attire" on an invitation but you can't force everyone to wear a gown. But listing what you'd prefer is still acceptable and will encourage the majority of guests to do this

Some people only feel comfortable in black and that is all they own and wear. I think on your website you can say that you would love to see your guests in bright spring colors, but I would not say no black. Focus on the I would love it if you did XXX vs. I would hate it if you did YYY

I prefer for my guest not to wear white dresses.

Our wedding website says semi-formal attire and that's it. I would refrain from telling people what to wear more than that.

I gave an idea for the dress code on our website, which maybe 4 people read. Everyone else is just texting me asking what to wear, they DO want guidance (literally everyone invited has asked this question). I've been general in telling them "cocktail" or business casual (for a men's reference) and hinting that it's the fall in NY to remind the Florida crowd that it may be chilly and a sundress may not be the best option; but most of all I tell them to wear what makes them feel good.

I did ask that the ladies not wear all white (I feel like that's a pretty common request, and I don't think it's too rude for the bride to make that request).

I don't think asking your guests not to wear black is a good idea. Of course, it's your day and you could if you wanted, but it may come off as bossy/bridezilla. Black is a very normal color for a wedding, though I agree with a previous poster that if it's a spring wedding, you'll likely get less black. I also agree, that you probably won't even notice, you'll be so enthralled with your new husband and all of the fun, that seeing a few people in all black won't even be an issue.

I don't see anything wrong with it. This is no different than people who have weddings that request that the guests wear all white or all black. But instead of saying "please do not wear black" maybe try to say, "Attire: As this is a spring wedding we hope to see our guests in bright spring colors!"

I totally agree with you about the not wearing black thing! My FMIL had a black long sleeved dress with a train (our wedding is in September though? In Alabama????) that she wanted to wear to the wedding, and I hinted that I didn't like it for a September wedding (I didn't tell her what to do though, before anyone attacks me). I agree that it's so weird how much I hate black on women for weddings when all the groomsmen will wear a black tux?

Anyway, with all that being said, I'm not sure if I would tell all my guests what to wear. I think that's putting too much stress on you. If someone comes up to you and asks (I've had a few family members ask me what to wear), then I think that's a perfect time to convey that you don't mind so much, that you just prefer colors instead of black. Because they're asking, it's ok. And hey, they might spread it around. But make it a "no-black" affair and you'll just get upset when you see people do it anyway. It will create unnecessary tension. And you probably wont even notice the day of!

I think it's perfectly fine for you to request a specific color for your wedding. If you word it as a "suggestion" or "highly encouraged" it will allow people to make the decision for themselves and decide whether or not they can afford to purchase a new outfit. Some people will still wear black and that will be ok. I literally had a guest ask me about the attire and colors this morning for my wedding. I requested cocktail attire and I don't deem that as being rude. If someone comes in jeans when everyone else is semi-formal, then that's on them! We can't control what people will do, only make suggestions.