We're constantly fielding questions on wedding guest outfits, so it's clear that there's lots of confusion about what's appropriate and what's not! In the past, wearing black to a wedding was frowned upon, because black was a colour traditionally worn at funerals and when in mourning. But these days, do the same rules apply? Can you wear black to a wedding? Well, that's exactly what we're going to explore!

But First, a Disclaimer!

Our advice is based on years of chats with brides, couples and guests, and we stand by it. That said, we're aware that most of our experience is with laid-back Western couples, and that, in some cultures, religions and even certain social circles, wearing black takes on a deeper meaning than it does for many of those couples and their families. We're also aware that some people are particularly sensitive about tradition, and that this can be difficult to predict, regardless of how well you think you know them. So while our official stance on wearing black to weddings is that it's easy, it's elegant and it's okay, it's a safer option to avoid wearing black to a wedding if there's any uncertainty. So, if you're worried, and able to find a suitable alternative to your black dress, we recommend you go for it, to bypass this outfit dilemma entirely!

Can You Wear Black to a Wedding?

Can you wear a black dress or ensemble to a wedding? In short, yes, but the key is in the styling. You want to avoid looking like you dressed for a funeral, and your outfit should feel like it was chosen with a special occasion in mind! Women who love to wear black and are confident in their personal style can pull off a really simple, Parisian look, featuring a black dress and simple accessories, but for the rest of us, we can add a celebratory twist to our black ensemble. Here are a few easy ways to do it;

• Wear a jumpsuit or playsuit
• Wear a short, knee-length or midi-length dress
• Incorporate a splash of colour via your accessories, for example vibrant heels, handbag or headpiece
• Wear a print, e.g. polka dot or floral
• Up the occasionwear factor via texture with lace, tulle or feathers
• Wear sequins or embellishment, or a metallic fabric

It's also important to think about the style of wedding you're attending - in particular, the time of year, time of day and the location - when putting your wedding guest look together, which brings us on to our next point...

What About a Black Tie Wedding? A Beach Wedding? A Conservative Wedding?

We've seen guests rock black at all kinds of weddings, from garden party-style bashes to traditional golf club affairs. There's one instance when you should feel extra confident wearing black to a wedding, and that's when it's a black tie wedding, or a wedding with a formal dress code - a black, full-length gown fits effortlessly with this aesthetic. In the same vein, a little black dress will suit a city or restaurant wedding, especially one taking place in winter.

Beach weddings, garden party weddings, destination weddings and festival weddings are a little different, as we tend to naturally reach for lighter colours for in the daytime and when the weather is warm. In this case, a splash of colour, a flowing or ruffled fabric, or a casual style will go a long way. Black is generally appropriate for conservative or traditional weddings, too, just bear in mind the point we made at the beginning of this feature - a non-black dress is always the safer option (unless it's white, of course!).

Can a Male Guest Wear Black to a Wedding?

As a general rule, it's fine for a male guest to wear black to a wedding, unless the wedding is going to be exceptionally informal - black suits read as more formal than the same suit in blue or grey. There's also a chance that a black suit might feel too stuffy for a summer or destination wedding, but again, this is more about the level of formality than the season. The invitation, the venue and the dress code, if any, should help you figure out how casual the wedding is going to be. If you think it's going to be a really casual affair, and would like to err on the safe side, we'd recommend a navy, light blue or grey suit instead.

So a black dress is okay, but what about a white dress? We tackled that topic here!