Is it wrong for a bridesmaid to wear white?

Question

My mum siad bridesmaids do not wear white it is only the bride, as it is very disrepectful for the bride, i guess what she was trying to say for a bridesmaid wearing white is like out shining the bride in a way.

She sai bridemaids are suspose to wear colourful dresses only is this true?

Answer 1

I think its up to the bride.  If she wants to wear a colored dress and have the bridesmaids wear white then thats fine.

Answer 2

If the bride wants the bridesmaids to wear white or any other color, then that is perfectly acceptable.  The old English tradition (as I understand it) was to have the bride and bridesmaids dressed identically as a way to protect the bride from possible abduction on her way to the ceremony.

Best wishes!!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

In the last wedding I was a bridesmaid in, I wore an ivory dress...but that was the color and dress that the bride wanted us to wear.  So really it's up to the bride.

Answer 4

What your mother is saying would be traditional, and proper. When a bridesmaid wears white, it is almost as though she's trying to be the bride by bringing attention to herself. If the bride wants bridesmaids to wear light colored dresses, have them wear silver. But if the bride really wants them to wear white, then let her have them wear white... Its her day!

Answer 5

Ordinarily, one would say that.  However, I've attended a wedding where all the bridesmaids wore white, but wore colored sashes.  It was a grecian style and white is the only color that works. Very elegant.

Answer 6

yes she is right that is 100% true. nobody should be wearing white except the bride

Answer 7

Bottom line, it's your wedding, if you want them wearing white, then have them wear white. It's not "disrespectful" to you if that's what you want them to wear! As long as the dresses aren't the same style as yours, nobody is going to mix you up or think they're "outshining" you.

Now, for a bit of interesting history (you can tell your mom this.)

The people talking about the original purpose of the bridesmaids as "decoys" to lure evil spirits or would-be abductors away from the bride are correct, BUT the tradition of wearing a white dress to your wedding only began in the mid 1800s, most likely with Queen Victoria. Even then, it was primarily a tradition of the upper class. No working class woman in Victorian England would own a white dress, it wasn't practical because it stained so easily. Having a white wedding dress was a way of saying "I am so rich, I can afford an expensive dress I will only wear once." Working class ladies, and in all likelihood most ladies before the Victorian era, would have just worn their best dress to get married, so though the bridesmaids did look like the bride, none of them were necessarily wearing white.

Answer 8

I don't think people a really set on the bridesmaid wearing white thing. I want my bridesmaids to wear whatever I ask them to in terms of color. If you are asking them to wear white because you have a colored gown or for whatever reason, there is nothing wrong with that. Someone before me stated that it would be disrespectful to the bride. I don't see how that could be possible seeing as though the bride sets the guidelines for her BMs' attire. You mom just has a more traditional view on the issue. I think its whatever you want.

Answer 9

I've seen where some bridesmaids have worn white, it's kind of really just based on how the bride and groom feel about the situation, but traditionally, the bride should be the only one in white, to stand out.

Answer 10

Your mother is correct.

Answer 11

Your mom is right.  Traditionally etiquette dictates that guests at weddings should not even wear white.  That is the bride's color.

That being said, it is the Bride's day.  So if she is the one telling you to wear white because that is what she wants, then it does not matter what your mother ( or any of us ) think.

Answer 12

Thats correct. The Bride should be the ONLY one wearing white. As it is disrespectful to her if a bridesmaid wears white.

Answer 13

Officially, yes the bride should be the only one wearing white.  But today people are doing so many different things, some people even have Black & white weddings where guests can only where black and white.  I say do what you want if you are the bride.  It is yoru wedding

Answer 14

No, you can wear any colour you want, even white, but don't be as fancy as the bride. Like put a bit of colour, like pink or blue or green and the bride will wear only white. And put flowers, ribbons and make your hair simple, but beautiful, be like a spring fairy. In Cyprus, I wore a white flower dress with bits of green on my hair, since that was the bride's favourite colour. Ask the bride, but I'm sure she won't mind, after all just look beautiful and help her at her wedding, count yourself lucky that she chose you.

Answer 15

Yes, traditionally only the bride wears white - not the mothers, not the maids, not even a white tux for the hubby, although lots of people do that now.

Basically the bride should be the most beautiful person that day and they should also be the only one wearing all white - maybe a dress with color and white for the maids.

HOWEVER the tradition of the bridesmaids actually comes from the days when in England, Scotland, Wales, etc. the lord of the land had the "right of the first night" - like in braveheart and would come and take away the bride and rape her.  The other girls her age in the community would dress like a bride too so the lord didn't know who was the bride.  It was to protect her.  They DID wear white back then.

Answer 16

yes it is wrong

Answer 17

i Believe that the bride should be the on in white cause its her day

Answer 18

My aunt got married back in the 1964....her brides maids were in white with deep red sashes and head pieces (little 'hats with veils)....they carried red roses.

It's refered to as a 'Snowball wedding'....and it was beautiful for Jan, and the bride stood out.

Sounds like your mother's personal preferances and  she is trying to turn into etiquette or tradition...no such animal when it comes to the bride's maids...whatever color the bride wants is fine.

Answer 19

well, technically that's what people do...colored dresses.  but it's YOUR wedding.  if you want them in white, choose white.

Answer 20

It really depends on the bride. Basically, whatever color she picks out for the bridesmaid is the color that they wear.

I've seen brides wear red wedding dresses and the bridesmaids in white - there are really no set rules anymore; basically it is just how the bride wants you to look...

Answer 21

I don't believe bridesmaids should wear solid white, but white with colors added, such as a sash or overskirt, would be fine.

Answer 22

The origin of bridesmaids, to my understanding, is this: Bridesmaids were originally there to act as a "human shield" against evil spirits that may be after the bride.  They are dressed like her to confuse the spirits so they do not get to the real bride. And also stand by her at the alter to act as a wall.

So I think at one point, bridesmaids wore white, but this changed into a tradition and now everyone does it because "everyone else does"

If you want the bridesmaids in white, who cares, do it. But I'm not one for tradition. In fact, I would LOVE to wear a black wedding dress, just to be different :) Because I don't like doing things in my life just because people before me have done it that way.

So the answer is: There is no law that says they can't wear white. But the traditions today make it "unacceptable," as shown by your mother's opinion, and other comments on here.

Answer 23

Traditionally, your mom is correct.  Although...the bridesmaids used to wear the exact same style/color of dress that the bride wore to confuse the "evil spirits" in who was actually getting married.   I personally think that whatever the Bride really wants she should be able to do.

I would never choose to wear white to a wedding, unless I was a bridesmaid and that was what the bride picked out for me to wear.  After all, how can that be disrespectful towards the bride, when that was what she choose for me to wear?