We all know not to wear white to a wedding – unless you’re the bride of course – but that’s not the only colour that’s off-limits.
The Unfiltered Bride podcast discussed dress code etiquette during a recent episode, revealing why red is best avoided for wedding guests.
Like a number of traditions around marriage, it’s an unwritten rule rather than an explicit expectation – but one that’s worth adhering to unless you want crossed wires.
‘Red means you’ve slept with the groom,’ said co-presenter Georgie in a TikTok clip of the show.
‘[It’s an] old wives’ tale, but to me I don’t think I’d rule out red as a colour. I think it depends on the dress.’
While the likes of grandma and the flower girls can probably get away with the bold shade, if you’re not family or a child – and especially if there’s any history between you and the groom – it may look like you’re trying to make a statement.
Fellow host Beth also commented: ‘I feel like red could be seen as quite sexy, a bit “look at me” and naughty.’
Pops of scarlet or burgundy make a beautiful addition to a wedding outfit, but all-over red can, according to Philip Sykes, principal of the British School of Etiquette, ‘set a precedent for trying to outdo the bride.’
The fashion experts at Karen Millen added: ‘Visually, red is a bold and flashy colour that will immediately draw attention to you, whether that be in person or photographs; if guests surround you in neutrals and a bride in white, you may feel out of place with the tone of the wedding.’
Every wedding will have a different dress code, although red is a risk regardless. Indian brides typically a wear saffron red lehenga, while in China, brides don a pillarbox long feng gua two-piece dress. Turning up to these events in red would be akin to wearing white at a western wedding, so exercise caution.
After the Unfiltered Bride’s revelation, TikTok users were shocked to learn they may made some unwitting faux pas.
‘Not me wearing a red dress to one of my best friend’s weddings,’ replied one person, while another added: ‘I guess I never got the memo.’
In the comments under the video – which has been viewed 1.1 million times – a number of people admitted to ignoring the custom as guests, yet others claimed they’d asked their bridal party to wear red when they tied the knot.
One joked: ‘My bridesmaids are in a burgundy red and four out of five of them are the groom’s nieces, so safe to assume they haven’t.’
It’s not a hard and fast rule, so try not to get too bogged down in what’s ‘right’ or ‘wrong.’
Remember that the day is about the couple and try to be respectful of that in your clothing choices. Or, if in doubt, just ask.
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