Can You Wear Red to a Wedding?

Weddings are one of life's most joyous celebrations; witnessing two people tie the knot is momentous and emotional. With it comes some important style etiquette to consider—especially when it comes to choosing something to wear. After all, it’s the most important day of their lives, and you’re invited to the festivities. Most wedding invites actually specify the dress code, taking the guesswork out of trying to decipher what you should or shouldn’t wear. Before you start shopping around for something appropriate, figuring out the dress code is step one—but what colors you should steer clear of isn’t always as clear.

We all know that wearing white to a wedding is the biggest no-no of them all. One other contentious color that seems to spark polarized opinions is red. While the hue is a striking choice for most events, it may not be the best to wear to a wedding. We spoke to two experts in their field to weigh in on the fiery color.

Meet the expert

While red might be one of the chicest and classic colors to wear to a big event, it may not always be the best bet to wear to a wedding. Even if red might be your favorite color, it’s imperative to know if the scarlet hue is appropriate for the kind of wedding you're attending. Abraira says, “Although, in most cultures, wearing red is not an issue, it is very important to double check as in some cultures, it may be seen as déclassé. For example, in Indian and Asian culture, the bride wears red in some of the festivities, so if a guest wears red, it is as much of an offense as wearing white in Western culture.”

Look of the day

If You’re Not Sure Whether Red Is Appropriate 

If you already own a red dress that you know would be gorgeous for a wedding you’ve already got on the calendar, Abraira says, “When in doubt, ask the couple for directives- there are no ‘dumb,’ questions plus- better to be safe than sorry.” Not only does it show a sign of respect and thoughtfulness- just on the offhand that the bride (or groom!) would prefer that you stray away from anything that would be considered “bright” or draw added attention to yourself. 

If You Do Decide to Wear Red

After making certain that the bride is definitely not going to be donning any shade of crimson and your heart is still set on wearing a hot hue, there are a few other things to keep in mind. Myers explains, “While, of course, we want to look fabulous, we don't want to steal the spotlight from the bride. Red can be a powerful color, and certain shades, especially bright and saturated reds like candy apple, cherry, flame, and a bold ‘true red,’ will objectively draw the eye in person and the focus in photos.

If you don't want to be the focal point of every group shot in the couple's wedding album, opt for a red that is less saturated. For a warm-weather wedding, watermelon or terra cotta are understated alternatives to candy apple or flame red. For cooler weather, an earthy brick or a deeper raspberry or wine holds less visual weight than true red or bright cherry.” That way, you’re not the main character of the wedding album, sticking out like a sore thumb due to the wrong shade of red gown. 

Other Things to Keep in Mind

Not only is a wedding an opportune time to dust off some dresses that could use some action, but it’s also a great time to experiment with new styles, keeping in mind that it’s suitable for the wedding itself. The best way to look your absolute best? Wearing what works best for you specifically.

Myers says, “If you are someone who likes to show up and show out at events, a low-key way to have main character energy as a wedding guest is to wear something in your personal color palette—a shade that harmonizes with and highlights your skin tone, eye color, and features. Mermaid teal is show-stopping next to my warm skin tone and red hair but steers clear of any questions of appropriateness. Your best colors will help you look fabulous in your own photos without taking over the group shot.”

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