Red Dress Etiquette

I have never heard of this until the WW forum

To me, it’s huge no, especially if it’s a bright red, but wedding guests in general shouldn’t be super flashy. Unfortunately, not everyone seems to follow this and I know one of my future SIL’s is purposely going to wear something over the top. There’s no way to request otherwise, though!

I think it just depends on the "style" of the wedding. But personally, I don't think I would care if someone wore any shade of red. On a personal level, I probably wouldn't wear it to a wedding, but would some other formal event.

I've never heard this rule. What does red have to do with anything, with the exception of some cultural practices?

I never heard this rule, but I'd rather you wear red to my wedding than pure white or black. I hate when i see black worn to a wedding to me it just screams funeral... and white well we all know that one.


I think a lot of things should effect ur choice of dress at a wedding as a guest: like the cut, style, the season, also the colors of the wedding party. But yeah I never heard of red as an issue before in western culture weddings. I can see in indian or asian weddings where red being the bridal color making it controversial.

I have never heard of this rule and I am sure I’ve worn red to a wedding before unintentionally, and I’ve certainly worn black lol. Personally, I dont understand all these rules. Everyone knows who the bride is and the bride is always the most stunning one there. Ive literally never been to a wedding where someone else outdid the bride.

I disagree. I think a red dress is fine. The only thing that is off limits is white.
My mom wore black and my aunt wore red and they looked gorgeous at my wedding! These new "rules" are so out of control

The only rules are to not wear an all white ( or Ivory etc.) Dress that appears bridal in materials and style. And not to dress any showier. You may dress in the same formality as I he bride, or one step less formal. Never more formal. No big showy ballgowns and statement jewelry when she is in a simple sheath or suit or cocktail dress. Even if mud colored. Nothing showier in ornament. So sequins and sparkles when not in a club environment of bride is doing quietly formal. Nothing bare, plunging, slit high,or attention seeking by a sexy look or cut. No color is off limits, but the package should not altogether stand out except for good taste. So no bright purple satin ballgowns, or bright red, orange, magenta, when bride is in a ruffly white ballgown. But the same color or flowers in bright colors would okay in a suit or tea length daytime dress, or a suit, in no competition with any formal or dressy bridal wear.

View Quoted Comment I have seen people do it, but it was always a package deal, color and style and formality, all over the top. Not a simple color issue. I have seen a MOG who was angry that her son and FI wanted a small boho daytime wedding, while both sets of parents wanted an over the top affair. Bride in eyelet to ankles, MOB in a powder blue suit, MOG in a gold satin ballgown with metallic gold overskirts, at 11 in the garden. And numerous times, stuff that would be great on Cher in Vegas, but not mid-afternoon in a suburban golf course event room. And the wearers looked stupid and heard comments on their lack of style. Did not take away from the bride, any more than someone in a bathing suit would. No one feature, color or fabric or style, but a combination make some choices in poor taste.