Is it ok to wear another culture’s wedding dress?

I think it is great that people want to share in other cultures as long as they are respectful. I know many people who have married in Hawaii or New Zealand and used the culture to influence their wedding. Just because you aren't a Native Hawaiian or New Zealander doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to enjoy, learn and be influenced by a new culture of that other than your own. Again, people should respect cultures and not mock them. As long as there is no mocking then all should be well.

I think it's a little weird to wear another culture's dress if you're not that culture at all or marrying into that culture (or getting married in that country). Not even getting into potential issues of cultural appropriation, your wedding is supposed to represent you as a couple so why bring in something that's not connected to you at all?

I feel if you're doing it with reverence, respect, and connection to that culture that it's OK. If one of those elements are missing I don't think it's OK. Although... many people around the world do the "white wedding" thing because it's been popularized through movies and whatnot and I don't think that's wrong at all with reverence, respect, or connection lol

Thai person here! Most cultures are infusions of each other and our "traditions" have been in flex for thousands of years. Heck, Thailand and Laos used to be the same kingdom less than 300 years ago! When the Thronburi Kingdom merged into the Rattanakosin Kingdom, were the people living either side of the new borders suddenly from completely different, isolated cultures and traditions? No, they weren't.

I feel it is a sign of respect to integrate another group's symbolism/fashion/traditions into your own celebration if it is founded on genuine respect and you acknowledge that borrowing. Even better, if you decide to use Thai silks, buy it from a Thai artisan! I can't imagine anyone I know getting offended by that.

Where it gets unethical is when that appropriation is done without respect or research, or when there is a history of colonization between your own culture at the culture that created the symbol you wish to use. The idea being that the independent symbols of Culture A exist in spite of the efforts of Culture B, so it would be tone-deaf or callous for Culture B to continue reaping from Culture A.

View Quoted Comment Maybe it’s a different example but just curious, so would say a Chinese person wearing an Indian wedding gown because they love it be considered inappropriate?

View Quoted Comment Also just to note my niece is half lao, my cousins husband is Lao lol so I’m not trying to offend. I wouldn’t say I’m offended but moreso curious. The point of them being one kingdom at one point (Cambodia. As well) makes sense to why they’re all similar. But even though say India had influenced a lot of Southeast Asia, I would find it a bit odd if a Cambodian person decided to wear an Indian outfit.

View Quoted Comment That's a really good example. I guess it ultimately comes down to what you are comfortable doing and what your community (and those attending the wedding) are comfortable with. Are you just curious about the issue in general or are you considering getting a wedding dress associated with another culture?

View Quoted Comment No idea! I can only speculate based on anecdotal evidence for my own communities (Thai and Jewish, both of which tend to approve of this kind of thing/find it complimentary). I wouldn't presume to answer that question for anyone else.

View Quoted Comment Just something I’m curious about. I was searching for a Thai dress because my dad and his side is from Thailand (Thai Chinese, my non Filipino). It’s difficult because not many Thai here but we have a large Lao and Cambodian community (fiance is Cambodian). A lot of Lao friends told me about their Thai dress and directed me to seamstresses that worked with Lao wedding gowns and clothing but also had Some Thai outfits for rent.


I was about to just resort to a Cambodian outfit lol if my aunt in Thailand couldn’t find anything but I found someone on Etsy to design my dress.

I think it's ok.. it's good when we can embrace a different culture. I do understand where you're coming from but I think as long as it's not disrespectful to the culture then it's ok.

I think people should wear whatever they want to their weddings. That being said, I do get annoyed with caucasian couples jumping the broom because it has a significant, historical meaning to African American people.

I'm of Chinese heritage. It would rub me the wrong way if someone not Chinese wore traditional Chinese-dress for their wedding. My culture is not a chance for someone to play dress up!

View Quoted Comment

Is it cultural appropriation if you respect it?