Etiquette with Emily: White to a Wedding?

Newsworthy articles on wedding etiquette and the wedding themes are always high on our priority list.  We know that many couples struggle to find a theme that reflects who they are, and expresses their personality.  Although wedding themes can be simple, like a colour theme, many couples choose to go beyond into a more personal statement.

This article we found will help you choose your wedding theme.  Clicking on the links will give you further information.

Source: swsmag.net

Welcome to our new series!  Every so often we’ll be discussing a common (or not-so-common) etiquette quandary, so feel free to send a query our way.

A while back, one of our favorite photographers, Fred Egan, posted a photo of himself preparing to shoot a wedding.  He was dressed smartly, as anyone who knows Mr. Egan would not be surprised to hear.  The only catch?  He was wearing white.

Image credits, clockwise from top left: A Bryan Photo in Martha Stewart Weddings (yay Bryan and team!); from Fred Egan’s Twitter; A Bryan Photo; Sugar Love Weddings

After seeing his photo, we had a debate in the office over whether Fred had crossed the etiquette line.  I, having recently read the most recent edition of Emily Post’s Etiquette cover to cover (embarrassing but true), didn’t think Fred had done anything wrong.  When we asked what people thought about wearing white to a wedding on Twitter, however, the responsive was, shall we say, opinionated.  So I did a little research, and here’s what I found:

From Ms. Etiquette herself:

“In the past, no female guest would dare to wear white—the bride’s traditional color.  Today, that rule is no longer in effect, and you may wear white, with caution.  Whatever the shade of white, the outfit should in no way distract from the bride’s or her attendants’ dresses.  A creamy white, street-length sheath or tailored silk suit might be just fine, but not a full-skirted, white evening gown.  If you have any qualms, wear another color.”

There’s also an interesting trend in the bridal world of the wedding party wearing white or shades of white, sometimes to the point where it’s difficult to pick out the bride.  Though aesthetically I love the look, I don’t think I would choose this option for myself.

But then again, old traditions die hard in the South.

What about y’all?  Would you ever wear white to a wedding?  Regardless of how you would personally dress, do you think it’s wrong for a guest to wear white?  And what about the bridal party?  Tell us what you think!

Read more from this excellent wedding website: http://www.swsmag.net/blog/2009/10/7/etiquette-with-emily-white-to-a-wedding.html