Ask The Kit Weddings is our bi-monthly wedding etiquette column. Wedding expert Alison McGill tackles the pressing—sometimes uncomfortable—questions that everyone from almost-marrieds to attending guests have on their minds. Send your Qs to [emailprotected].
“I never pictured myself wearing white on my wedding day. Now that I’m engaged and have started wedding dress shopping, I know white isn’t for me. I’d like to wear black, which I think is a chic alternative, but the reaction of some of my friends and family have me second guessing. Is it okay for a bride to wear a black wedding dress?” —Stephanie. P.
There’s nothing I love more than an unexpected wedding look, and the black wedding dress—so chic!—is one of my favourites. Vera Wang famously launched a collection of black wedding dresses more than a decade ago, but the trend has only recently hit its stride.
That might be due to a new freedom in the way that brides are thinking about their wedding fashion choices. Angel Spendlove, the co-founder and creative director of the Canadian wedding brand & For Love, certainly hopes so.On a recent episode of my podcast,Aisle Seat, I chatted with Spendlove about what’s “acceptable” to wear to a wedding. “A bride, or a person that identifies as a bride, can wear what ever they like,” Spendlove said. “It’s okay for a bride to wear anything. They can wear whatever they want. It can fit however they like. That’s it!”
It’s time to shelve the whole notion of what is okay to wear for a wedding day. So Stephanie, you can wear any colour, any style of dress, pantsuit, skirt suit or jumpsuit. You do you!
Style-wise, on the black wedding dress front, I love a sweeping ball gown, ’90s slip dress, stately column gown (like the one PR star Natasha Koifman recently wore for her wedding), or a detailed lace midi dress. To get fashion insider intel on the current best style options for a black wedding dress, I messaged celebrity stylist and fashion expert Erica Wark. She says the red carpet is a perfect place to look for fashion inspo.
“There were some amazing black dresses at the Emmy Awards ,” says Wark. “I thought Jean Smart in a sheer floor-length Ralph Lauren gown and Jennifer Coolidge in a dramatic caped Christian Siriano dress both looked incredible and modern. I also loved Kaia Gerber in Oscar de la Renta at the Met Gala—her dress had a timeless feel and silhouette.”
As for accessories? “When it comes to jewels, the sky is truly the limit,” says Wark. “Diamonds, gold, silver and pearls all look incredible, as do pieces with a pop of colour to make the look something extra. With footwear, I love the idea of keeping things simple with a black strappy sandal or pointy pump. As with any wedding dress, it’s key to have shoes that don’t distract attention from it—they should always complement, not dominate your wedding look.”
Wark also has thoughts on the best bouquets to compliment a black wedding dress. For fall and winter weddings, think rich purples, burgundy and lots and lots of lush greenery. In the warmer months, go with white: “I love white peonies or orchids.”
Side note: Brides, consider black bridesmaid dresses. “I love the idea of having a wedding party all in black,” says Wark. “It’s elevated, looks so chic. It’s also a colour everyone will feel confident wearing.”
Shop The Advice
These eight black wedding dresses earn top fashion marks.
This slinky black silk slip dress is the essence of modern minimalist chic.
This convertible party dress by Canadian label Narces delivers maximum drama.
This romantic lace and ribbon gown is a steal at $63.
A keyhole backline creates a sleek and sexy silhouette.
This classic ball gown is a standout for its elegance and simplicity.
This two-piece ensemble is perfect for a wedding—and all future black-tie events.
The floral embroidered lace gives this dress vintage appeal.
Looking for a more-is-more gown? This showstopper from Rvng Couture’s Spring 2022 collection ticks all the boxes.
