Many modern couples take a fairly relaxed view towards wedding traditions. Now, it’s usually fine to wear black, for example—while not everyone chooses to be “given away” as they walk down the aisle.
Yet there’s still etiquette for wedding guests to follow. And one question that comes up a lot is: can you wear red to a wedding? The answer is that it depends. Here’s the lowdown on when it’s okay to wear red and when it might be best to choose a different outfit.
Can you wear red to a wedding?
In most cases, wearing red should be absolutely fine. There’s no strong symbolism or associations with red in Western culture that would make it a faux-pas (that we’re aware of, at least!).
However, there has been some controversy around the colour. Some people claim that it represents lust and is therefore an inappropriate choice as wedding attire. There’s even an old-fashioned folk story that as a guest, wearing red signifies you’ve had an affair with the groom!
But today, this is more of an opinion than tradition—and it’s not widely held. For most people, red is just a colour.
Others point out that red might draw too much focus towards you, a guest, and away from the happy couple. Here, we’d say to follow common sense. It’s true that red is an attention-grabbing colour. But so are any other bright shades, like orange, yellow or pink.
So it’s really about the outfit as a whole. There are plenty of red outfits that are chic, elegant, understated and sophisticated. Whatever colour you choose, if your look does risk stealing the spotlight from the betrothed couple, it might be best to choose something else.
When wearing red isn’t appropriate
However, there are some situations where you should avoid red.
The couple’s culture
Earlier, we mentioned that red doesn’t really have any strong symbolism attached to it within most Western cultures. But that’s not the case across the board.
For example, in Hindu and Chinese weddings, red is typically worn by the bride. In these cultures, red symbolises love, happiness and prosperity. So, if you show up wearing red, it may be seen as you trying to overshadow the couple.
But since many traditions have somewhat relaxed in modern times, red might be fine for the wedding you’re going to. It’s always best to check in with the couple to make sure.
There’s a dress code
If the couple has specified a dress code and red wouldn’t be appropriate, opt for something else. For instance, if the bridal party is wearing red, the couple might request that guests go for a different colour.
You can generally wear red to black and white tie affairs. But because these are more formal dress codes, you might want to go for a deeper shade that’s less attention-grabbing. That said, we’ve seen some truly stunning gowns in bright red that wouldn’t look out of place at the most formal of events! As long as your outfit complements, rather than detracts from, the formality of the celebration, you’re probably in the clear.
We’d also suggest considering the venue and time of year when deciding what to wear. If it’s a garden wedding in the warmer months, you probably don’t want to be wearing a heavy ball gown while your fellow guests twirl around in light, breezy numbers. But a brighter shade might suit the summery mood perfectly. Whereas for a winter wedding, a deeper red may make more sense.
When wearing red is a great idea
Provided that any of the above don’t apply and you feel great in your look—then wear red, we say!
But because it’s such a strong colour, you might choose to tone it down with accessories (think neutral tones). Gold, silver and rose gold jewellery can all go brilliantly with red, depending on the shade of your look and your skin tone. Gold is a classic choice that you can’t really go wrong with, while rose gold gives off a slightly more feminine feel.
Or you could commit to going bold (as long as you aren’t outshining the happy couple, of course!) and don some bright gemstones. Blue gems can offer a lovely pop of colour while offering a bit of contrast to red, for example.
One approach we like is to decide which aspect of your look you want to be the focal point, and build the rest of your outfit around it. For instance, if you’re wearing a dress that’s a really striking colour, you might opt for a simpler silhouette. But if it’s more subtle, for instance a lovely burgundy tone, you may decide to go a bit bolder on your accessories.
Your wedding venue
Above all, you want your outfit to make you feel amazing—and to look great in photos. Here, the wedding venue plays a super important role.
Kindred is a West London wedding venue right in the heart of Hammersmith. Our award-winning interiors blend modern and heritage styles, to create a unique and elegant backdrop for the day’s festivities.
We have several spaces across all three floors of our building to suit all types of celebrations, from intimate affairs to parties of up to 150 people. With an on-site restaurant and a private bar on each floor, we have everything you need for a night to remember. Not to mention top-of-the-range AV capabilities to host your evening entertainment.
Our dedicated team would be delighted to bring your dream wedding to life. Take a look at our wedding brochure or have a virtual tour of our building to get a feel for our spaces. If you prefer to see it for yourself, get in touch with our friendly team to arrange a complimentary tour.
