Red is bold, attractive and everything good. It is for sure that everyone loves the red colour. That is why many people ask this question: “Can you wear red to a wedding?” In this guide, we are going to answer your doubts if you are thinking of wearing red to a wedding. It will also give you an idea about the significance of wearing red. You will also get information regarding how to wear a red dress to a wedding.
Can you wear red to a wedding?
Yes, you can wear red to a wedding. In many Western and open-minded weddings, it is acceptable and okay if people wear red to a wedding. There are also some exceptions in some religious ceremonies and cultures where it is said that you should be mindful regarding styling. It is said that you should not wear red as you will outshine the couple by wearing red to a wedding. If you have doubts regarding wearing red to a wedding, you can ask the close ones of the couple.
What does wearing red to a wedding mean? (Cultural and symbolic context)
The answer to your question- what does wearing red to a wedding mean depends on the culture. There are many reasons for the same. Some of these reasons are:
1. Western Weddings
If we talk about the Western context, then the colour defines energy, fashion, boldness, and romantic. Some people avoid wearing red to a wedding so that they do not get much attention. It is because red is a naturally attractive colour, and it is the colour that cannot be ignored.
2. Asian, Indian & South Asian Weddings
Red is traditionally the colour of brides in many cultures. You may have seen a lot of pictures of red bridal dresses in China, India, and parts of South and Southeast Asia. Here, red means fertility, happiness, and luck. That is the reason many people avoid wearing red to a wedding in these countries. It means a red dress at a wedding in some cultures can be seen as disrespectful.
3. Regional traditions
In some cultures or areas, there are some old-fashioned views and meanings related to wearing red at a wedding. In this modern world, these older views are fading now.
If you’re not sure if you should wear a red dress to a wedding, you can do a few things. You can confirm the colour of the bride’s dress. You can also talk to the couple’s family or close ones and clear your doubt regarding wearing red to a wedding.
Simple rules regarding when you should avoid wearing red to a wedding
- You should avoid wearing red to a wedding where red is worn by the bride. The red colour is specifically the colour of the bride in some cultures. It is true for Hindu, Chinese, and South Asian brides. You should avoid wearing red to a wedding in these cultures out of respect. Let the bride be the centre of attention on her wedding day.
- It is not a good idea to wear a red dress to a wedding if there is a specific conservative dress code. Choose neutral shade dresses to wear at such weddings or ceremonies.
- You should wear something else if the couple has specifically mentioned that guests should not wear bright colours. Wear light colours to these weddings and respect the wishes of the couple.
How to wear red to a wedding: styling rules that keep you classy
If you have checked with the couple’s family or friends regarding wearing red to a wedding. Then, you should decide what you are going to wear and how. It is important for you to have knowledge regarding styling as it matters a lot. There are some tips down here that will help you wear red dress at wedding in an elegant manner.
1. Choose the right shade of red
There are many shades of red that you can wear. If you want to dress elegantly at a wedding, then you can go for deep tones. Shades like cranberry, burgundy, etc will give you a sophisticated wedding look. If you are attending a wedding in winter, these shades would look better.
If you are attending a wedding during the day, you can decide to wear a dusty red shade. Explore dress in the shade of rust, brick, etc.
You can wear a bold red shade for a cocktail party. Wearing red to a wedding will make you stand out and make you feel confident in your skin.
2. Keep minimal accessories
You do not have to wear so much jewellery when you are wearing red to a wedding. It is because wearing a red dress itself is already a fashion statement. You can wear neutral jewellery and shoes with a red dress, as it will balance it out.
3. Subtle makeup
If you want to know “How to Wear Red to a Wedding?”, you should understand these little things. One of these things that you should be mindful of is choosing the right makeup for the day. You should not do dramatic makeup when you are wearing red to a wedding. Wearing a red dress at a wedding is bold enough. To balance the look, go for a minimal makeup style. Do a perfect dewy base, keep your lips neutral with the red bold dress. You can also go for a soft, smoky eye makeup.
4. Consider the pattern and texture of the red
There are many things that matter when you are wearing red to a wedding. Some of these factors are the pattern and texture of the red dress. Texture like chiffon is more wedding-friendly than satin or a glossy texture.
If you do not want to wear pure red to a wedding, then there are options. You can wear a lacy and floral dress. It will not be as impactful as pure red, but you can still wear the red you want to wear.
Outfit ideas for different dress codes (Practical examples)
- You can go for a black tie with a long burgundy gown. Get a gracious look by wearing diamond earrings with it. Along with it, a gold clutch would look graceful.
- For a formal cocktail party event, wearing a red mini dress of satin would be a good idea. Wear strappy sandals of nude colour with this dress. You will nail this look by wearing pearl earrings.
- If you are going to a wedding during the day in a garden, look for a muted red wrap dress. It would look really good with wedges and a straw clutch.
- You can select to wear a sequin red dress with minimal accessories for a festive look.
Red at culturally specific weddings: what to do
Cultural weddings are different. There are traditions involved in specific cultural weddings. If you are invited to such a wedding, you should gather knowledge first. It will help you to decide what to wear and how to style it. You can do this:
If you are invited to a wedding you do not know much about, always try to gather information. It is simple. You can ask the couple or the close ones of the couple regarding specific traditions.
Some cultural weddings expect guests to wear traditional clothes in certain colours. For example, they want only the bride to wear red. If that is the case, you should avoid wearing red to a wedding to respect the couple. This is true for Indian and Chinese brides.
You can consider other shades as well, other than wearing red to a wedding. There are dresses available in so many colours. You can go for pastel colors, navy and plum colours, etc.
What if you accidentally wear red? How to handle this scenario
Just in case, if you have worn red to a wedding where you were not supposed to. Do not worry! You can handle the scenario by being mindful and wise.
You can apologise to the couple. Just do not do that extra. Focus on celebrating the couple and their union on their day.
You should avoid getting unnecessary attention from people. Let the couple have all the attention on their special day. Focus on being a helpful guest and celebrate the couple.
Respect their culture and tradition. Also, a genuine apology goes a long way.
FAQs — quick answers to common questions
Q: Can you wear red to a wedding in the Western world?
Yes, you can wear red dress at wedding. It is okay to do that at most Western weddings. If you still have doubts regarding wearing red to a wedding, ask the couple or their close ones.
Q: What does wearing red to a wedding mean in different cultures?
Wearing red to a wedding is typically a bridal thing in many cultures. This is the reason why guests avoid wearing red to a wedding to let the bride have the spotlight on her special day. It is typically seen in Chinese, South Asian and Indian weddings. It is not the case when we talk about Western weddings.
Q: Is red dress at wedding considered rude?
Not everywhere. It can be seen as rude in cultural weddings where red is the colour of the bride. In that scenario, you should let the bride wear red as it is her day.
Q: How to wear red to a wedding without looking extra?
You can think and decide to wear red to a wedding without looking extra. You can choose muted shades of red and select minimal jewellery. You should also avoid wearing something revealing and glittery to avoid attention.
Final thoughts
Wearing red to a wedding depends on the kind of wedding you are invited to. Western weddings do not have any cultural significance related to the colour red. People in Western weddings wear red as a fashion statement. So, you can wear red dress at wedding here without worrying too much.
Wearing red to a wedding may be disrespectful too. It is because red is traditionally the colour of the bride in many weddings in India and China. If you have any doubts, ask the hosts and the family of the couple.
You can definitely wear red to a wedding by following some simple tips. Whatever you wear, just make sure you focus on celebrating the couple on their wedding day.