While you might see rumors floating around the web that wearing red to a wedding used to mean you had a fling with the groom, ignore those. There are no hidden meanings to any colors of wedding guest attire.
White isn't the only color to avoid at a wedding. In some cultures, it's actually customary for certain members of the wedding party to don red, as a symbol of marital prosperity.
It's the color of love, passion and blood. It incites to make a scene. A woman dressed in red will be certainly noticed. Wearing red she is expressing character, independence, strength, determination.
Men rate women wearing red clothing as being more interested in sex, hinting that humans may be conditioned to associate the color with fertility. The pull of red is nothing new.
But as well as the cultural evidence, scientific research has also found that men consider women in red as more sexually attractive, compared to other colours.
While you might see rumors floating around the web that wearing red to a wedding used to mean you had a fling with the groom, ignore those. There are no hidden meanings to any colors of wedding guest attire.
Summary. To answer the main question of the article, yes you can wear red to a wedding in most circumstances. However, in some situations you may want to check with the marrying couple that red is acceptable to wear as a guest and it won't go against their culture or distract from their big day.
While there are beliefs that wearing red to a wedding means that you slept with the groom, that's not the case. Plus, there are no hidden meanings or symbolism to any colours of guest clothing. Fashion designers advise guests not to wear red to a wedding as it can divert attention from the couple.
The big decision lots of couples are asking themselves is whether to spend it together or stick to tradition and sleep apart. It really is entirely up to you. There isn't a rule that says you have to but here's what's most important: that you relax. You'll want to rest up so you're totally prepared for your wedding.
The tradition of spending the wedding eve apart is when to-be-weds refrain from seeing one another the night before their wedding, often until the ceremony. The superstitious consequences of not abiding include a failed, unlucky, or unhappy marriage.
Steer clear of off-white, eggshell, beige, champagne, cream, or any other super light color that could be mistaken for white. There are so many dress options available in a variety of hues, so steering clear of these shades should not be a major issue.
The Red Wedding Dress Tradition
“Wearing red wedding dresses has been a Chinese wedding tradition since the Ming Dynasty over 650 years ago,” explains Qiao. “In Chinese culture, the bride wears a red wedding dress such as a Qun Kwa or a cheongsam on her wedding day to celebrate the joy and happiness of the marriage.”
To recap: as long as it's not considered culturally inappropriate or against the dress code, you can wear black to a wedding. Depending on where the couple is exchanging vows, which season their special day is taking place in, and what time of day everything begins, black may or may not be your best color option.
In the past, wearing black to a wedding was frowned upon, because black was a colour traditionally worn at funerals and when in mourning.
Why you shouldn't wear red to a funeral. Wearing red to a funeral can be a sign of disrespect. It will give others a completely wrong impression if you wear a bright and bold colour to a funeral, as this goes against the dark, muted colours associated with sadness and mourning.
The most common question asked is what do you wear to a Chinese wedding. It's safe to say don't wear red. Most brides will have several outfit changes, with red being one of the dresses, if not the main one. Guests should avoid wearing red because this could be seen as upstaging the bride or competing for attention.
In Indian context, red is also connected to the rising sun.” Additionally, “according to astrology, the planet in charge of marriages, Mars, is red in color. Therefore, Hindu brides are asked to wear red during the wedding proceedings since it stands for prosperity and fertility.”
Red is the color most commonly associated with love, followed at a great distance by pink. It the symbolic color of the heart and the red rose, is closely associated with romantic love or courtly love and Saint Valentine's Day. Both the Greeks and the Hebrews considered red a symbol of love as well as sacrifice.
Too casual
Even if you have been told the affair will be casual, shorts and t-shirt are never okay. Neither is denim or sweats. So avoid, avoid, avoid! It's not hard to throw on some slacks and a shirt, even if end up rolling the sleeves up after a while.
Avoid sequined dresses and any clothing that will draw attention away from the bride. A wedding isn't the proper time to make a bold fashion statement. Ditch your everyday jeans and tee. Even if the wedding initiation says “casual”, wearing sneakers, t-shirts, shorts, and jeans are never appropriate for a wedding.
You should avoid white because that color is typically reserved for the bride.
Women can wear below-the-knee dresses, slip dresses, a dressy skirt and top, or an elegant pantsuit (styled with heels, nice wedges, or formal flats). As for men, opt for a dress shirt and slacks, with the option to wear a tie.
Here are the most popular wedding colors:
Navy, White, and Gold. Black and White Combination. Petal Pink, Cornflower Blue & Mauve Purple.