OVERREACHING GUEST DRESS REQUIREMENTS

Google wedding guest dresses and you’ll net 86,000,000 results in .30 seconds.

Google what colors not to wear to a wedding as a guest and you’ll get even more results:88,400,000 in .27 seconds.

Most of the precautionary warnings what not to wear are, well, made up, white noise. Except for one rule that runs consistently through all…do not wear white. Don’t compete with the bride’s whiteconfectionary gown. That is, unless the bride asks the guests to wear white. And increasingly these days, brides are asking their guests to wear garb of a certain color.

Heavy handed brides are issuing requests in their invitations that guests wear specific colors.

Yup, heavy handed.

Brides that feel the need to issue dress codes for their guests may have forgotten that not everyone has the time or budget to buy a new outfit for any event, even including this wedding. Brides: Your special day is not the special day for your guests…remember that, brides, as you decide to issue wearables instructions.

However, if you’re seeking to regulate what guests wear, the only excusable requirement could be to ask guests to wear black. Most women own one black dress…for work, for dress up, for whatever. Or they own a black pantsuit.

From the bride’s perspective, black is a good backdrop for a crowd photo with the bride’s white gown showing off in the center of group photos.

Recommendations for guests: Elevate your black dress with a charmeuse shawl by Adrianna Papell. Or layer on strands of pearls in multiple sizes and lengths from Nordstrom. Accessorize with drop rhinestone earrings, carry a silver clutch handbag and wear silver pumps.

The bride will be pleased as well as your pocketbook won’t be hurt.