I've dug around and can't find an answer, so here I am...
My brother is getting married in January and I have been invited as a guest (semi-formal attire). I know the BMs are wearing navy, the wedding colors are navy and light pink, and the MOB is wearing a black floral dress. I'm not sure what my mom (MOG) is wearing, but that's an ENTIRELY different story.
My question: Is there a certain color of dress I should avoid? I'm not a BM, I have no place in the ceremony, I'm just a guest. I've been told I should avoid black, since that's what the MOB is wearing. I also want to avoid navy, because of the BM dress color.
I've been eyeballing a maroonish/wine colored lace dress, but I've read that red is inappropriate too... Ugh.
My FSIL is a wonderful human and makes my PITA little brother a much more tolerable person to be around. The last thing I want to do is step on any toes.
Re: Wedding Guest Attire
The don't wear red thing stems from a time when women who wore red were considered promiscuous. I don't think much anyone adheres to that old rule anymore. If you'd wear red to the mall, you can wear red to a wedding. Even if you did, maroon is not red. Wear the maroon dress.
I'd avoid all white or cream and would not buy a dress that looks like the BM/MOG style if you can help it. Other than that, go with any color you'd love.
I'm a little side-eying they told you not to wear black, lol. Other than the "don't wear white" rule...which I still think is fine if there are some colors/print on it and/or doesn't look like a wedding gown...there aren't any taboo colors for a wedding.
I think you're maroon/wine dress sounds like a great color. I've also never heard "don't wear red", but wouldn't really consider maroon/wine as a "red" anyway.
I think either the color you chose or navy would look great in the family pics.
Thank you all for the insight. My mom (MOG) is the one insistent on me not wearing black, because she doesn't want me stepping on toes. (She also refuses to wear black, or a dress) There's a whooooole lot that I could get into about the family dynamics, but you guys don't want that story... It's messy, illogical, and frankly a bit confusing.
I'm definitely going with the maroon dress. It's so pretty and I can't make myself pass it up.
However, that's nonsense anyway. Brides should be more secure in the importance of their wedding day. No one is going to forget who they are and what's going on - and even if some guest did... who cares, you're getting married to the person you love!
Amen! Another person's good looks does not subtract from someone else's, ffs. That's not the way it works, lol.
I think some people find like a super bright sultry red dress to be loud and kind of attention-grabby.
FWIW I was a bridesmaid last weekend and we wore wine colored dresses, which was super appropriate. Also, there were several guests wearing the same color and no one said anything! I think maroon is a great option!
My MIL wore a beautiful maroon-ish dress with a lace overlay. I think that color of dress will look lovely in family photos for you.