They’re questions that come up every wedding season: CAN you wear red to a wedding? What about black? We have the answers…
As we get into the full swing of wedding season, many of us are planning our outfits well in advance to make sure we have the perfect option. Whether you’re the mother of the bride, a good friend of the groom or a plus one who has no job to do on the day other than to sit back and enjoy the free bar, there’s one thing we’re all mindful of– not upstaging or upsetting the bride.
We all know not to wear a white dress, but what are the other rules you need to follow? From wearing red to dressing in black or exposing a fair amount of leg, we have the answers to all of the style questions you’re almost certainly Googling. So let’s dive in…
Can I wear red to a wedding?
The short answer is yes, though there are some exceptions. If you’ve been told it’s disrespectful to wear red, it’s probably because there’s an outdated myth that still gets passed around, and it dictates that wearing red as a guest means you’ve had an affair with the groom. It’s a silly folk story, of course, but it’s been passed around enough to mean some of us still worry about wearing the colour.
The exception for when wearing red isn’t appropriate is at Indian weddings, when it’s customary for the bride herself to wear red. This is also sometimes the case for other Southeast Asian cultures, so it’s always best to check in with the bride, where possible, if you have your heart set on a red outfit. Our head of fashion, Zoe, headed to an Indian wedding last summer, where the bride wore a gorgeous fuchsia-pink saree as her bridal gown, and so a red guest dress was approved by her. Don’t automatically assume this will be the case, though.
The other exception is if the invite states a colour palette to wear. It’s trendy these days for weddings to have a colour ‘theme’, and as such, some invites may ask you to wear lighter tones, black or even white. Check the small print of the invite to make sure you don’t stick out like a sore thumb in pictures.
READ MORE: I tried 27 M&S, ASOS and F&F wedding guest dresses under £50 with one surprising winner
Can I wear black to a wedding?
Again, the simple answer is yes, and in fact, it’s a very chic choice, especially if the wedding has a black tie dress code. The confusion comes from all the way back in the Victorian era, when wives would wear black for a full year as a sign of mourning after the death of a husband. Family members also often choose to wear black for up to six months as a sign of respect.
These days, however, black is synonymous with chic – largely thanks to the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Chanel – and so has become a go-to for many when it comes to occasionwear dressing. Black is also a very safe choice if the dress code is black tie (though not a must for women, despite the name).
Can I show a bit of skin?
If you’re wondering whether a dress is too short or shows a bit too much cleavage, the answer is probably yes. If you feel like it might be pushing the boundaries of appropriate dressing, trust your gut. While there are no ‘standard’ wedding rules about the length of dresses or plunging necklines, just consider what you’d want to see at your own wedding. Plus, you want to feel comfortable yourself– nobody wants to spend all night tugging their dress down or up.
The only time you need to really pay attention to the length of your dress, though, is for a back-tie wedding. For women, black tie means a long dress or a classy long jumpsuit.
8 of the trendiest wedding guest dress options to shop for summer 2025
Satin slip dresses
Shop it: ASOS DESIGN lace insert satin stripe panelled maxi dress in green, £65
A satin dress has long been a wedding-friendly staple, but this season it’s being elevated with some luxe-looking detailing like panelling and lace. If you want to be on-trend with your colour choice, olive green or chocolate shades are guaranteed to make even cheaper satin-like materials look more expensive.
Butter yellow dresses
Shop it: Zara Satin Halter Dress, £35.99
Princess Kate just declared butter yellow the colour of the season, so we predict this flattering shade will be big at summer weddings. The versatile and creamy colour works on all skin tones and is ideal for an outdoor or an abroad wedding where sunsets will add an extra golden glimmer to the gown.
Ruffles
Shop it: New Look Black Zebra Print Ruffle Trimmed Maxi Dress, £47.99
Ruffles are in, and they’re great for anyone who doesn’t want a dress that clings to their body or accentuates lumps and bumps. The best news is that even the high street is following suit with plenty of good low-cost options for this designer-born silhouette.
Bandeau silhouettes
Shop it: Nobody’s Child Abstract Floral Bandeau Felicity Midi Dress, £99
Retro-looking bandeau dresses are a big occasionwear trend for 2025. With a slight fit and flare shape, they’re great for accentuating the waist and skimming over hips. Bonus points go to the ones with modern florals and gingham prints (also two big pattern trends for this summer).
Polka dots
Shop it: 4th & Reckless satin lace trim cap sleeve maxi dress in black polka dot, £54
Traditional polka dot dresses have a white base shade and black polka dots, but you can make this 2025 trending print work for weddings by swapping that monochrome order around so white isn’t the main colour. Pair with a bold bag for a pop of colour.
Scarf dresses
Shop it: Pretty Lavish Sheree One Shoulder Scarf Maxi Dress, £78
No, not those 90s scarf tops– we mean chic dresses that have a matching piece of scarf-like fabric that gets swung over your shoulder or looped in a sophisticated manner around your neck. You’ll be seeing these types of dresses everywhere over the next few months, so you’ll get plenty of re-wear out of one.
Tailored suits
Shop it: Phase Eight Ulrica Fitted Jacket, £95.20, matching Tapered Suit Trousers, £71.20
Suits aren’t just for men. You can find some gorgeous tailored two-pieces for women this season. Whether you want a pastel or a more vivid tone, you’re guaranteed to win looks of approval from the bride and groom in a sophisticated suit.
Mesh overlays
Shop it: Rat & Boa Lotus Slip Red Dress, £325
Mesh can have a tendency to look a little cheap, but mesh fabrics that overlay satin can look incredibly luxe. Some dresses this season have floral prints over the best, creating almost a picture against the backdrop of a block colour.
