In the past commenters have been forthright about expressing their dislike of black bridesmaid dresses. Some don’t care for them because they say black is a boring choice, while others think black should be banned because they feel black and weddings just don’t mix. That’s why I’m so curious to find out what y’all think of black on brides.
This gown from the Bella collection of Dagnez — a custom dressmaker located in Poland. Unlike many Dagnez creations, this one is currently available for sale for $2419.99 from Splendid Gowns. They describe it thusly:
Fabulous evening dress for every woman who wants to feel unique. Made of poliester with several types and designs of silk fabric combined into a stylish creation, irregular hem and flounces which give it a modern character with a tint of melancholy. Flouncing skirt with stiffening underdress +tied bodice with irregular vest.
Personally, I love this gown, and I’m a big fan of brides who choose black. I’m not saying I’d wear this gown or even a black wedding dress, but I can picture some tough, self-assured bride bringing down the house in it. There will always be some who cluck their tongues at those brides who know what they want and what they want is to wear black, but there will always some who cluck their tongues at brides who serve vegan fare or don’t wear veils or choose sneakers over pumps. Who cares about the cluckers, I say!
Now, what say you?
This is gorgeous! And the most fun weddings I’ve attended have been with the most advant garde bride.
were i a rich girl, i would buy that just to have. but i’m neither!
I’m all for it! No matter how simple you’re going, dressing up as a bride nearly always involves a healthy dose of costumed fantasy; why not go for the fantasy that actually appeals to you and makes you feel like your true self? I can see the right bride really working this dress, especially if the wedding has a rocker or goth or even medieval feel to it.
Of course, I also think black is inherently stylish, and would probably wear a chic black dress to my own wedding if it weren’t on a beach 🙂
When my cousin D married his wife S, she wore a black bridal gown with a black veil. He wore a white tux. I think the black gown would have worked if not for two things.
1. The addition of the black veil made her look like a widow in mourning.
2. It was an outdoor, afternoon wedding on a sunny summer day. She must have been miserably hot.
Black at weddings is definitely not for me.
BUT, I had my wedding. I made my choice. I may not like your choice, but it is YOUR choice to make. If you feel your best and most festive in black, who am I to say you can’t make that choice? The bride sets the tone and style of the day, so if she chooses to wear black, she is welcome to do so.
And she’ll find herself in good company: Laura Ingalls Wilder and Sarah Jessica Parker both married in black…though Sarah Jessica has gone on record since as regretting her choice. Doesn’t seem to have hurt the marriage, though. She and Matthew Broderick are still going strong, and that’s far more important than what color either chose to wear on their wedding day.
That’s gorgeous! I love white wedding dresses, but I can think of some girls I know that could totally pull this off and look stunning.
While I could understand why a bride might want to have a wedding dress in something other than white, black just doesn’t seem right for a wedding dress to me. I guess I’m just too old school!
I should add, though – black for bridesmaids doesn’t bother me at all.
That’s a lovely dress. I would be perfect for a goth theme wedding or even just a high fashion bride who wanted to push the envelope. I’d put short black gloves and red lipstick on her, but that’s just me. And maybe a ruby or some other jeweled hair comb to tie in the red lipstick.
I don’t see why a bridesmaid couldn’t wear black at a wedding.
Shannon
The Virtual Bridesmaid
http://blog.viddia.com
http://www.viddia.com
JR: I could see how the black veil and the locale might have made the gown seem a bit out of place…or a little too gothy if that’s not what the bride was going for.
Kate: Even though the responses here have been overwhelmingly positive, trust me when I say you’re not alone in that opinion. It’s definitely not for everyone!
Shannon: Me neither! But a lot of people do feel that it goes against some unwritten tradition or is too somber for an event as joyous as a wedding.
Hmmm, Looks more like the aftermath of a viking rampage at the warlock’s school, with our intrepid witch-in-training plotting revenge upon her ravishers. But she was known to be resourceful, given her ability to make a dress with leftover scraps. Look, she’s already triaged her sprained wrist with ribbon!
So a great idea for a fantasy romance novel, but not necessarily what I’d envision for my own wedding.
I detest when people make you second guess a personal decision by saying “in 20 years, are you going to love that you wore a ‘black’ dress to your wedding?” generally speaking, your first instinct is always right. If you love tradition and have been waiting to wear that perfect white dress, then a white dress you will wear. For those who are a little less traditional, who chose a colored stone instead of a diamond, it’s the way you see yourself at that moment. If you didn’t choose what you love, who are you dressing for? When in your adulthood, did someone tell you what to wear?
I’m not a fan of this particular dress, but I’ve seen some grey dresses that are complete knockouts. The only tradition that one needs to be concerned with is having good manners and taking the time to honor and thank the people that have come to be a part of your special day.
I would wear a black dress if my family would get over it. I would try to I think as I have been in the goth scene for years so of course I think it is cool. I’m not sure if I love this particular dress or not, but soon as I saw it I thought goth and I didn’t know at first it was meant to be a wedding dress. It could be worn to a gothic ball too whereas a regular white wedding dress can’t be worn again except for someone else to wear to a different wedding. Also, some of us look waaaay better in black so who wants to wear an unflattering color on their wedding day? Of course makeup helps me look better if I have to wear white, but I look so much better in black dresses so If I can find someone to marry then I do want a black dress or maybe to get married on Halloween in a black dress, but pale like a dead goth bride. So ok, I’m weird! LOL. I’d want to try the dress on so I don’t know if this dress could be ordered and returned if not liked. I’d be afraid if I couldn’t return it. I would think I could just put together my own goth wedding dress with regular goth clothing. You can get a black corset in leather, pvc, latex if you’re really into fetish, or just regular satin or something and you could get some huge puffy elegant black skirt with so many choices from pvc, lace, tulle or some sort of combo. You could find some sort of sheer mesh shirt, maybe floral to put under it and get some ribbon from the fabric store and tie it around your arms. Because this basically looks like a ballgown, which is basically a corset/bustier top and a big long skirt. I think people should delve into their own personal style and tastes in making this decision. I have goth wedding dolls and I love that they wear black velvet. Maybe it would be funny to make the bridesmades wear white or at least some other color, blood red?
Marnie: Right on. Why dress for some future version of you who might possibly someday criticize the person you are today? When you think about it, it really is a very odd thing to worry about!
Jen C: I love all your DIY goth wedding ideas! Personally, I wish your family would get over it so we could see your fabulous black wedding gown… possibly your fabulous black HOMEMADE wedding gown. Personally, if my family had tried to influence my choice of wedding dress, I would have told them to stuff it 😉
Black may be more associated with funerals than weddings but there are reasons other than being daring or gothic for wearing a colored dress.
A black dress will flatter the bride with a fuller figure making her feel more comfortable; she may have pale skin made to look even paler by white or ivory; she may be on a tight budget and a little black dress is far cheaper than a traditional white one or she may be getting married for the second or third time – when white doesn’t really go?
I say a bride should wear what she wants to and, whilst I would not personally choose black, anything goes in today’s modern world.