Can you wear black to a wedding? Of course you can. Is it even a question anymore? Because while a wedding in the sunshine might prompt images of ditsy florals, billowing pastel maxis or candy-coloured two-pieces, your wedding guest outfit doesn’t have to follow this formula. Enter: the all-black wedding guest dress, super chic and extremely easy-to-wear.
So, how do I wear black to a wedding?
I'm glad you asked! The most famous black dress of all time - the LBD - is the ideal wedding guest outfit, both for summer nuptials and town hall ceremonies that require something impossibly polished. (Top tip, for the height of summer, opt for linen to keep your head-to-toe black outfit feeling as cool as possible in the sun.)
But also, black wedding guest dresses lend themselves incredibly well to black tie. And for this particular dress code, the celebrity examples are off the scale in terms of delivering inspiration. For 2023's wedding of the year, Sofie Richie Grainge's, the sister of the bride, Nicole Richie, wore the chicest strapless gown with an elegant twist at the neckline and train. Perfection.
For more floor-length inspiration, take your cue from Eva Longoria, who wore a slinky black dress to the wedding of the Peltz-Beckhams' (of course by her BFF, and mother-of-the-groom Victoria Beckham).
Not a fan of dresses (or gowns)? A black suit also works well. Simply pair your wide-leg trousers and simple jacket with nothing underneath for a great wedding guest option, ensuring some emergency tit tape is tucked safely in your bag for top-ups.
When it comes to accessories, basically, anything goes. Add a pop of colour with a rainbow-bright, party-ready heel or keep to the all-black dress code and go for a super simple, low-heeled pair of black sandals.
If you’re still feeling something’s missing, add a slick of bright red lipstick for an instant lift to your black wedding outfit. C’est chic with a capital C.
SHOP: Black Wedding Guest Dresses
www.cos.com
This knitted dress couldn't be more comfortable for a summer wedding. And with its sheer ribbed panels at the pleated bottom, it's a subtle show-stopper.
www.mytheresa.com
Norma Kamali's signature jersey dresses are simple yet effective, especially when spiced up with a statement high heel.
www2.hm.com
This jersey maxi, with an elegant asymmetric neckline, can be dressed up for weddings with a pair of shoulder-grazing earrings and a slick of lipstick.
www.reiss.com
Cut from a crinkled taffeta fabric, Reiss' maxi dress creates the chic silhouette of a column - perfect for a black tie dress code.
www.selfridges.com
House of CB has a wealth of wedding-appropriate dresses, including this rather gorgeous ruffled style with asymmetric sleeves.
clubllondon.com
Sculptural and sexy, Club L's maxi dress with satin cuffs is a seriously head-turning option.
www.thereformation.com
Available in five shades, Reformation's slinky criss-cross back dress is a winner for wedding season.
www.arket.com
Question: how chic is this little black dress from Arket? Answer: very.
www.net-a-porter.com
This ever-so-slightly sheer dress, complete with crystal polka dots, scores a perfect 10.
www.theoutnet.com
This Ronny Kobo strapless dress is perfect for a party (sorry, wedding).
rixolondon.com
Embellished at the neck and hem, you're guaranteed to turn heads in this gown from Rixo.
www.whistles.com
Whistles' tie-back gown is a stalwart on the bridesmaid circuit, but in black, it would also serve a wedding guest very well indeed.
www.ghost.co.uk
No brand does satin quite like Ghost, whose scoop-neck maxi dress can be dressed up or down, depending on the dress code.
www.nobodyschild.com
Nobody's Child does some of the best occasionwear dresses in the business - and has a wealth of little black dresses to choose from.
www.frenchconnection.com
Perfect for a town hall wedding, French Connection's bodycon dress is sleek and sexy.
www.harveynichols.com
Solace London's mini-at-the-front, maxi-at-the-back dress is a revelation.
www.mytheresa.com
Slinky yet comfortable, Toteme's off-the-shoulder maxi dress hits that sweet spot just above the ankle.
www.mytheresa.com
Loewe's cotton maxi dress is perfect for hot-weather nuptials, especially paired with lace-up sandals.
SHOP: The Best Wedding-Appropriate Black Suits
www.meandem.com
Because of its upturned lapel - essentially making the silhouette collarless - this blazer could easily be styled without a shirt or a blouse underneath.
www.meandem.com
The tapered hemline of these tuxedo pants means that they'll look equally sharp with a pointed flat or a slingback kitten heel.
www.thereformation.com
If you want a twist on a traditional suit, Reformation's Caiden co-ord, a button-down waistcoat-style blouse with a flaring skirt, is perfect for a height-of-summer wedding.
www.arket.com
Arket has plenty of black tailoring, but this slender-strapped wool-blend vest is a particularly alluring option for summer.
www.arket.com
Arket's tailored maxi skirt definitely isn't your traditional wedding guest outfit, but in terms of a garment that you can wear in everyday life, as well as on the wedding guest circuit, you couldn't do better.
What colours are appropriate for a wedding?
As we've already discussed, black is definitely an appropriate colour for a wedding. But if you're feeling a little apprehensive, the best way to go about it, in my humble opinion, is to bring a splash of colour into the equation with accessories. Try a red corsage on the lapel of your jacket if you've gone for a suit, a statement pair of jade earrings that drop towards your shoulder or a lipstick red handbag that will immediately stand out in photographs.
Julia Harvey has been Shopping Editor at Grazia UK for the past two and a half years, overseeing and editing all things shopping for the title from trend pages, gift guides and the best things to buy now in both print and online.