For most of us, weddings are the only time we really get to dress up. Once you receive that invitation, it’s easy to get carried away planning the perfect outfit and forget that there is some etiquette to follow. Despite your innermost desire to look like a million bucks, the celebration is about the couple, and you should never ever upstage them. 

That probably means ditching those beloved look-at-me colors for something more subtle. 

The 6 Colors You Should Avoid

1. White 

This one is self-explanatory. The bride will (most likely) be rocking a white dress on the day, and you don’t want to steal her spotlight. Stay away from white, off-white, or anything even remotely related to white just to be safe. The only exception is florals – you might be able to get away with a busy floral print on a white background – but always check with the bride first.

2. Cream or Ivory

Once again, you shouldn’t wear cream or ivory to a wedding because they’re just too close to white. Light neutrals are usually a no-no, even if they look okay in the mirror. Sunshine tends to wash these colors out, making them appear bright white in outdoor photographs. 

3. Bright Red

Like white, red is a symbolic wedding color in many cultures. Chinese and Indian brides traditionally wear red on their special day, and in some European countries, red is a popular bridal look for the wedding reception. Even if the bride in your life won’t be wearing red, you should still stay away from it. The old wives’ tales about wearing red to a wedding should be enough to put anybody off.

4. Neon Colors

Neon yellow, pink, orange, blue, or green are not the most wedding-friendly colors, so it’s best to save them for the sports field. Neon colors make even the most formal dress styles look playful and unserious, which a wedding is not. If you can’t go without a neon hue, try to incorporate it with your accessories or shoes rather than your dress.

5. Silver or Gold

For any other occasion, silver and gold dresses are always a win. Not so for weddings, unfortunately. These beautiful hues can be interpreted as flashy, especially in metallic or sequined fabrics. You’re bound to steal the show with a sparkly dress in any color, but we recommend staying away from shiny silvers and golds especially. 

6. Black

Deciding whether to wear black to a wedding can be tricky. In the past, black was reserved for funerals, and one wouldn’t dream of wearing it to a happy celebration. But today, that rule has largely fallen by the wayside. For formal and black-tie weddings, black is more than okay. But for daytime affairs on the beach, maybe not so much. Our advice is: when in doubt, skip the LBD for something safer. 

5 Perfect Colors for Weddings To Wear Instead

1. Burnt Orange 

If you love wearing red but don’t want to upstage the bride, this one’s for you. A gown in burnt orange shade brings a lot of warmth and richness without, well, being red. It’s eye-catching enough to pop in photos but not too showy to attract disapproving glances from grandma. Wear burnt orange for boho, fall, and rustic weddings in a forest venue. 

2. Sage Green 

Sage green dress is stunning for both wedding guests and bridesmaids. This gentle hue looks gorgeous on every skin tone, from cool and fair to warm and deep. It’s subtle, sophisticated, and the epitome of poise and grace. We love sage green for daytime weddings in outdoor venues where you’ll probably take selfies between the trees.

3. Flamingo Pink

Innocent and playful but a little bit cheeky – who wouldn’t love wearing flamingo pink? It’s a sweet and unassuming hue that nobody would dare associate with a disrespectful wedding guest. It’s a versatile choice that goes well with sandals and flowing curls or dressy silver accessories. No matter the dress code, flamingo pink is always a win. 

4. Navy

Navy is the best wedding guest dress color for formal weddings. It’s a classy alternative to black if you love a dark hue but don’t want to wear something from a funeral to your bestie’s happy day. A navy blue dress signals elegance, polish, and composure, and you’ll always get good wear out of it. After the wedding, you might even use it for business events and formal dinners.

5. Lilac 

Like sage green, lilac is a stunning dress color for daytime weddings. It’s playful and bright without being brash and looks especially vibrant against summer greens. Lilac is the perfect color if you love neon but can’t quite swing it for your friends’ wedding day. Wearing lilac allows you to feel fun and festive when it counts, yet stick to the shadows when the bride and groom walk out.

Other Wedding Guest Dressing Tips 

Dressing for a Casual Wedding

Not sure what to wear for a casual wedding dress code? Hint: it’s not shorts and flip-flops! Even if the invitation says casual, it’s always best to dress it up just a bit. Choose a simple dress or jumpsuit, and finish the look with a sparkly necklace or handbag.

Dressing for Weddings Where Modesty Matters

Religious weddings are all about ritual and tradition, not fashion and showing off. If you’ll be inside a sacred place of worship on the wedding day, remember to choose a dress that upholds modest values. High necklines, long skirts, and a cover-up shoulder shawl or wrap are the way to go.