The wedding bells have rung, and the wedding you’ve been waiting for is fast approaching. Amidst the excitement, the list of questions seems endless: what dress to wear, what gifts to give, what accessories to include, and of course elephant in the room: the shoes color.
According to tradition, wearing white shoes to weddings as a guest is always off-limits. As a guest, you should never wear shoes that resemble the bride’s dress to avoid upstaging her.
On the bright side, you can pair some accessories such as customized enamel pin and unique custom belt buckles with a non-white dress and get away with it. Continue reading to be on the right side of weddings etiquette.
Guidelines on white shoes during weddings.
Below are a couple of guidelines you should observe when wearing white shoes.
1. Avoid wearing white from head to toe.
Even though trends have changed and more brides feel comfortable wearing white shoes, you should never go with an all-white look; the look is always saved for the bride.
Also, avoid wearing white accessories as a guest, including pearls, flowers, and diamonds since they are associated with bridal attire.
So, how much white can you wear at a wedding? If you wear white, avoid bridal-looking shoes such as white glittery heels. Wear tights or an orange velvet dress to break off the shouting white monochromatic scheme.
2. Replace the white with nude!
You can never go wrong with nude shoes because they blend with every look, dress, color, occasion, and style. Not only are nude shoes a good substitute, but they will also elongate your legs. They should always be your go-to option when in doubt.
3. Check the dress code.
Verifying the dress code mentioned in the wedding invitation card is important before deciding which dress and shoes to wear. From the invitation card, you can give free rein to your imagination to choose an outfit.
If the couple decides to throw an all-white wedding party, it would be okay to put on white accessories as a guest. So, cues of white in attire, whether dress or pants, would be acceptable. However, do not wear all-white attire.
If the dress code is super casual, guests have more liberty in dressing down too.
4. Consult the bride!
If the invitation card does not explicitly ask for the use of white, and you can speak with the bride or the wedding planner beforehand, express your intention to wear white shoes. Doing so will clear doubts, and you will have the bride’s consent to wear white.
5. Seek information on what the bridesmaids will be wearing.
Suppose you find out that the dress code fails to give much away; it’s worth checking who knows what shoes the bridesmaids will wear. You don’t have to go undercover to find out the designer’s name or the exact shoe style. It’s an unspoken rule at weddings not to match the bridal party.
6. Let Sensibility Prevail as Opposed to Fashion Sense
At times, your sense of fashion needs to give room to sensibility. For instance, if you’ve been invited to an outdoor wedding, consider the venue and the weather conditions on that day.
While wearing white high heels to outdoor weddings may seem like an excellent idea, slush, dust, snow, soft sand, or mud will undoubtedly leave you feeling uncomfortable and your white shoes terrible.
7. Be Aware of the cultural background.
White color is usually associated with peace and joy, mostly with weddings in Western culture. However, that isn’t the case everywhere. For example, in some parts of Asia, white is the color of grief and despair. So, unless there’s a special color code to follow, consider the couple’s cultural background.
Conclusion
In conclusion, tradition dictates that guests should avoid white. Its use by guests is generally discouraged to prevent stealing the bride’s spotlight.
To stay on the safe side, follow these guidelines:
- Avoid an all-white look.
- Opt for nude shoes instead of white.
- Check the wedding dress code for guidance and when in doubt.
- Consult the bride or wedding planner for their approval.
- Seek information on what the bridesmaids will be wearing.
- Let sensibility prevail as opposed to fashion sense.
- Be aware of the cultural background.
