Is it appropriate to wear a black dress to a wedding?

Though the question did not state it, I assume the answer was meant to apply to wedding guests. I'll cover everybody just in case.

If the bride wants to wear black she most certainly can. She will raise a lot of eyebrows, but the choices for wedding attire for the bride and groom are up to the couple themselves.

Same goes for the bridesmaids as long as the bride agrees that the color choice is appropriate.

For guests, it is still considered inappropriate to wear black to a wedding unless it is in the evening. At least that is the most popular rule of thumb anyway. The answer given by anguilla is correct also. The traditions associated with weddings are changing with the times and in 2004 I have no doubt that a guest could get away with wearing a black dress without a lot of raised eyebrows.

Sounds right to me.

According to popular tradition black color would bring bad luck to the newly weds. So it is not inappropriate in the strict sense of the word, but a superstitious thing.

White is the usual color because, it represents a "pure" bride, at least in the times that women used to get married being virgins.

I am Im wearing a black wedding dress!

well im a bride who will be wearing a black wedding dress very soon

I went to four different weddings over this past summer. I was very surprised that at each of the weddings black was the most worn color by female guests.

My mother in law wore a black dress to her oldest sons wedding....his wife didn't appreciate it!

If there is a formal evening reception after the wedding - I can't see why it would be inappropriate. But, you know today anything goes. I also see black bridesmaids' dresses. I think the rules of yore are relaxed a bit now.

I did :) lolz black is a formal colour, its slimming and it looks dressy.

I think you can wear black to a wedding and in regards to the superstition, the bride was my cousin and she and her husband are doing fantastic. :)

I've always heard that the rule of thumb is to wear anything but white...only the bride should wear white. And black is usually worn to funerals...so any other color is okay for a wedding.
Blue, Green, floral...etc.

I'm on the event staff at the restaurant where I work, and we host a good many rehearsals, weddings, and wedding receptions. In my experience, it's fairly common for wedding guests to wear black (men AND women). If you're self concious about it, try to liven it up a bit with colorful accessories or shoes.

It is not appropriate to wear a black dress to a traditional wedding.

If it is not a traditional wedding though, black might be ok.

Yes, A Black dress is cool to wear to a wedding.

I wore a black dress to a wedding and a red dress to a funeral. I just dont think you should wear white to a wedding if your not the bride.

It's not appropriate to wear to the ceremony, but if you wanted to change into a black dress for the reception, that's fine.

Yes - the only two colours which have traditionally been "forbidden" for guests to wear are white (theoretically the colour of the bride's gown) and red (because it implied, once upon a time, the wearer was a harlot).

Traditionally, no.
But in 2004, yes...as long as it doesn't look business-like.

it is only inappropriate to wear the colors of the wedding party, or the bride.

I have. It was a skimpy little black dress.... it was nice.

I think it depends on the wedding and the crowd. Some folks are super traditional and would say that is innapropriate and some would argue that times have changed. What you really should consider is if you wear a black dress are you going to sit there all night wondering what everyone thinks of your black dress? Save your self the headache and where something else.
http://weddingstraighttalk.wordpress.com/2009/08/14/little-black-dress-a-little-innapropriate/

Marriage is often the death of happiness so yeah, sounds appropriate.

no, because more than likely it makes you look better than the bride ;) +3

http://weddingstraighttalk.wordpress.com/2009/08/14/little-black-dress-a-little-innapropriate/

Totally cool for a Gothic wedding

I am the mother of the groom and I am wearing a knee length black cocktail dress. Her mom is wearing a floor length black dress, bridesmaids are wearing black. This is what the bride wanted and I love it. It is an evening wedding more of a cocktail party than wedding. Who is THEY that makes up all these rules. My son and daugther in law will be in white. The accent colors are built around peacock feathers . I cant wait. If people go to a wedding to judge stay the hell home.

its your wedding do what you want and if the church doesnt like it get married at a court house or a justice of the peace and then have a hand fasting

traditional is so boring and who cares if the church likes it or not it isnt about them its about and your husband

I don't think that black should be worn at all to a wedding, but everyone is different. I would ask to bride if it would be ok.

My wedding day Is June 19,2010 and I'm wearing a black dress ......I am in an interracial relationship I'm wearing black he's wearing white to represent our Love who cares what people have to say it's about us ..........My dress is Beautiful and so will our wedding day ......Our wedding is at 6:30 pm so it's an evening event.... it's a black tie event.......Yes I'm an African American woman and He's a White male .........now you understand the the black dress lol

Only if its completely see through, and then , only with the right bangled ear hoops and matching tie.

Only if you're the ex or the mother of the groom.

I did it and the couple divorced shortly after the honey moon, but it probably had nothing to do with that...

** I beg to differ with most accounts above! **

Black is formal, and an evening color for a dress. Maybe it depends on the dress, but it's not superstitousness or tradition, so much as it is what's 'appropriate'.

In San Francisco, pastel and neon houses are common. In San Diego, pastel and neon clothes are common. In Portland, neither of these would be, and would surely draw more attention. This is because of the climate and surroundings, which we coordinate with as humans. The same goes for occasions, and for day/night clothes.

Night time weddings might allow for a black dress, but it would be more appropriate for a dinner reception, than for sitting in a formal wedding procession. I would (if I was a woman, or wore drag) CHANGE between the wedding and reception if I was determined to wear black, and I would wear it with pearls, not diamonds.

The very most important thing is not to overshadow the bride. Screw the groom, it just never matters. If you're a woman, unless otherwise advised, never wear bright colors like an all red dress, (or all black) at a wedding. Never let it be too business, or too sexy. Never let it be so fancy, that it rivals the bride's or bridesmaids'. This is HER day!

Beyond that, almost anything goes anymore. Plums, mauves, peaches, and creams, soft blues warm tans, and violets are perfect. Pure red, white-white, brilliant royal blues, and BLACK dresses are just out.

Of course, if you DID mean the bride, it's her wedding, so of course she can!

Best of luck on your wedding! Ugly politics and fanatics aside, Love is equal. Honor love.

i work in a wedding shop and we actually sell a black wedding dress. I think it depends on what theme yo are looking for. The designer is called Essense:

http://www.essensedesigns.com/files/onepiececatalogue-pg6.html

(click on the red dress on that page, its the same dress, it just comes in black.

black is an appropriate color at a wedding if it's held in the evening

It's more appropriate than not wearing the dress to the wedding

http://weddingstraighttalk.wordpress.com/2009/08/14/little-black-dress-a-little-innapropriate/

If you do wear a black dress at your wedding these guys will give you a discount on your photography:
http://blackdresswedding.com

So in that aspect it could be a good idea...

Very good idea with black wedding dresses. If the groom puts on black also the bride it is possible. The only thing - is very complex to pick up accessories. The veil should be sewed to order. And white is by the way color of death. Recollect a shroud and white funeral slippers (I ask a pardon for mistakes - I use the translator)

No, its considered bad luck for the bride and groom.

Old wives tale #32.

If it is a traditional American Wedding, you would only consider wearing a black dress if it is an evening event. Anytime after 1830 in the evening would be appropriate, as that would also be the cocktail hour. Ideally, your dress would be somewhat slinky, but in good taste, the perfect little black dress would likely work well, or something to the ankles, if you are older. Black shoes, and black hose, or dark ultra sheer hose and a black, silver or gold clutch would complete your look. Gold, silver or the classic pearls would be the topper.

The one social gaff you do NOT wish to make is to outshine the bride, not by accident or by design.

Don` t do that!!!