What Color to Wear to a Wedding: A Guest's Guide (and the Shades to Skip)
What Color to Wear to a Wedding
Every wedding guest has stood in front of the mirror asking the same question: is this too much? Too bright, too dark, too close to white?
The year's biggest celebrity wedding put guest style under a microscope, and the looks that got the most attention were the ones with real color and movement: sheer florals, champagne columns, black velvet. It's a good reminder that guests have more room than they think. Here's the simple version, with a Faviana long dress for each color.
The one color to skip
White, ivory and cream. That's it. Skip anything that could read as bridal, including very pale champagne in a bridal-looking cut. If you're not sure, ask yourself whether a stranger could mistake it for a wedding dress.
Cloud blue: calm, fresh, photographs well
Cloud blue is one of the safest and most flattering guest colors. Style 11624 is a lace and tulle beaded sweetheart gown with sheer side detail, in cloud blue, cotton candy pink or dark hunter green, sizes 00–16. It has a romantic feel, in the spirit of a Bridgerton garden party.
Dark pacific blue and hunter green: deep without being heavy
Style 11623 is a beaded lace halter satin gown with a lace-up back, in cloud blue, cotton candy pink, dark hunter green or dark pacific blue, sizes 00–16. Deeper tones suit evening weddings and cooler months, and they are very hard to get wrong.
"Color is not the risk at a wedding. Sameness is."
Lilac: soft, current, a little unexpected
Style 11651 is a mermaid strapless corset gown with a tiered skirt, in dark hunter green, light blue or lilac, sizes 00–16. Lilac sits between pastel and jewel tone, so it works across seasons.
Navy and emerald: the black tie standbys
Style 11658 is a sparkle stretch open back long dress with beaded mesh detail, in black, dark emerald or navy, sizes 00–16. Jewel tones dress up an evening reception without any effort.
Light yellow: for the guest who wants to be seen
Style 11645 is a satin ruched V-neck gown with beaded embellishments, in bright lilac, light pink, light yellow or navy, sizes 00–16. Pale yellow is bright but gentle. It reads cheerful in daylight and glows by evening.
Steel blue: cool and quiet
Style 11652 is an open back sparkly beaded lace long dress with a leg slit, in dark hunter green or steel blue, sizes 00–12. For the guest who prefers a muted palette with a little shine.
Can you wear black to a wedding?
Yes, unless the invitation says otherwise. Black is a long-standing guest staple for evening weddings, and a dress with beading or movement keeps it festive. Several of the styles above come in black as well.
The finishing touch
Color is the loud part. Scent is the quiet part. Celebrate Yourself is a citrus floral that sits well with every color above. One spray behind each ear and two at the collarbone is plenty.
Shop by color
Shop All Faviana Dresses and filter by color, or Find a Store Near You to try them on. Colours vary by style, so check availability for your size.
FAQ
What color should I not wear to a wedding?
White, ivory and cream. Avoid anything that could be mistaken for a bridal gown.
Can I wear red to a wedding?
Yes, in most cases. A deep red or ruby works well for evening weddings. Check the invitation and the couple's color palette if you're unsure.
What colors are best for a spring wedding?
Soft shades such as cloud blue, lilac, light yellow and light pink suit spring. For evening weddings, deeper tones like navy and emerald work well.
Is it okay to wear the same color as the bridesmaids?
It's best to avoid it if you know the bridesmaid color. Ask the couple or check the wedding website.
