People shocked to discover why women shouldn’t wear red to weddings (2024)
White isn’t the only color to avoid at a wedding.
In some cultures, it’s actually customary for certain members of the wedding party to don red, as a symbol of marital prosperity. But to some folks, red can signal something quite unsavory.
Wedding planners Georgie Mitchell and Bethany Smith, based in the UK, revealed on the Unfiltered Bride podcast the shocking reason to avoid a red dress, particularly at weddings in the Western world.
Turns out, wearing red to a wedding means to some that “you’ve slept with the groom.”
“Old Wives’ Tale, but yeah,” Mitchell explained.
However, both wedding planners agreed on a more modern reason for not wearing red: It could be seen as a way to grab the attention away from the bride.
“I feel like red can seen as like quite sexy,” Smith said. “Naughty.”
“A bit ‘look at me,'” Mitchell added of the attention-grabbing hue, but also wouldn’t rule it out as an option for a wedding guest as it “depends on the dress.”
“I’ll wear red to be toxic. Make ’em think,” someone quipped.
“Not me wearing a red dress to one of my best friends weddings,” a shocked user realized.
“Not my mom picking out a red dress for my brother’s wedding,” another laughed.
One person added black as a color not to wear, writing, “Black: no, as it’s for funerals (unless specified) & red is because the eyes are naturally drawn to it so it takes attention & eyes away from the bride.”
“I think the only color you should avoid (apart from white) is the same colors as the bridesmaids — they should stand out,” another suggested.
Critics were on the right track when they posited that scarlet red may be too eye-catching of color for a wedding, according to an article published last year on Brides.com. “Visually, it’s quite bold. In a photo, your eye is immediately drawn to the color, especially if it’s next to neutrals like white, black, gray or beige,” said bridal fashion stylist Gabrielle Hurwitz — and put to rest the rumor that red may hint at a former fling with the groom.
However, someone pointed out that in other cultures red is a good sign.
“Only in America 😂😂😂😂 in different cultures, red means luck, joy or happiness,” they wrote.
Turns out, wearing red to a wedding means to some that “you've slept with the groom.” “Old Wives' Tale, but yeah,” Mitchell explained. However, both wedding planners agreed on a more modern reason for not wearing red: It could be seen as a way to grab the attention away from the bride.
But red does not always signal danger and aggression. Perhaps not surprisingly, red also symbolizes passion, love, and desire. These associations could explain why people wearing red are consistently rated as more attractive by the opposite sex.
Wearing a red dress as a wedding guest is not only acceptable – it's a celebration of your individuality, confidence, and joie de vivre. So go ahead, embrace the power of red, and prepare to turn heads for all the right reasons.
In Chinese weddings, red is a symbol of luck, happiness, and prosperity. Similarly, in many Middle Eastern and North African cultures, red is associated with celebration and good fortune. Brides may opt for red or crimson-colored wedding dresses to honor their heritage and embrace their cultural identity.
White wedding dresses are merely a tradition in the West, as white is a symbol of purity.. Red wedding dresses are traditional in the East, as the color stands for luck and good wishes. I've seen people married in Jeans and a dress shirt, and dresses of all colors. There is nothing wrong with wearing a not-white dress.
What does red symbolize in a wedding? There's an old wives' tale that wearing red to a wedding means you've slept with the groom or at least wanted to. It's a wedding myth that shouldn't prevent you from wearing whatever you want. However, people perceive the red colour as naughty or alluring.
Red Colour Psychology: The red colour meaning is associated with excitement, passion, danger, energy, and action. You might've noticed that some brands use red for 'order now' buttons or for their packaging as a way to stand out on the shelf.
Neutral shades are timeless options that won't detract from the wedding's formal atmosphere. For a more colorful look, consider wearing shades of blue, lavender, or pink to show that you're in the celebratory spirit. If the wedding is in a tropical destination, opt for colors like yellow, orange, and green.
Wearing dark grey or deep blue is just as appropriate as black, while brown and lighter greys are suitable for the vast majority of funeral services. However, unless specifically requested by the deceased or their family, you should avoid any bright colors such as yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds.
Many congregations, who celebrate Pentecost Sunday, invite congregants to wear red to worship since red is the liturgical color for this important Sunday in the liturgical year. If your congregation does not do this, consider changing the session question to: “Why is Pentecost important?”
And while you might see rumors floating around the web that wearing red means you had a fling with the groom, ignore those. There are no hidden meanings to any colors of wedding guest attire.
The red dress symbolizes the missing and murdered Indigenous women, and the color red was chosen as it is believed to be the only color spirits can see. Hence, it is used as a call to the spirits of these women to return home.
The Red Wedding was a massacre that took place during the War of the Five Kings, arranged by Lord Walder Frey as revenge against Robb Stark, ruling King in the North, for breaking the marriage pact between House Stark and House Frey.
Representing love, power, passion and fertility, the color symbolizes the strength and intensity of marriage, as well as the sacred commitment at its foundation. Red is also believed to bring good luck and prosperity, warding off evil spirits and ensuring a harmonious union in the future, which the bride will need.
Chinese brides have worn the color red to the wedding ceremony for centuries to bring them luck in marriage, and to bless their union with happiness, good health, love, and abundant energy.
“Wearing red wedding dresses has been a Chinese wedding tradition since the Ming Dynasty over 650 years ago,” explains Qiao. “In Chinese culture, the bride wears a red wedding dress such as a Qun Kwa or a cheongsam on her wedding day to celebrate the joy and happiness of the marriage.”
“When we get passionate, we get hot, so we think of red.” And when you wear red, the color can affect the way people perceive you. If you want to be perceived as sexy, red is “the color to wear,” Harrington said. That seems to be especially true if you're a woman trying to get a man's attention.
A Lady in Red or Red Lady is a type of female ghost, similar to the White Lady, but according to legend is more specifically attributed to a jilted lover, killed in a fit of passion, or woman of vanity. Such a figure is thereby seen as a victim of objectification.
Red has a range of symbolic meanings through many different cultures, including life, health, vigor, war, courage, anger, love and religious fervor. The common thread is that all these require passion.
Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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