CAN I WEAR A BLACK WEDDING DRESS?
Gemma Thompson
- Lead Designer -
It should take 4 minutes to read this article
Yes! There's no religious, legal, or moral reason to stop you wearing a black dress or gown on your wedding day.
Your wedding dress can be any style or colour you like, including black.
Still not convinced?
Check out our answers to the most popular questions about wearing black to your wedding.
WHAT DOES A BLACK WEDDING DRESS MEAN?
Black symbolises power, mystery, strength, elegance, formality, and sophistication.
It’s a positive, empowering colour, especially for women.
That’s why it’s often the colour of choice for women in positions of power and authority.
It also symbolises your refusal to bow to traditional norms. Brides wear white because it’s the done thing. But if more brides realised that wearing white suggested innocence and submissiveness, perhaps white wouldn’t be quite so popular…
WHERE DO BLACK WEDDING DRESSES COME FROM?
Black used to be a normal colour for a wedding dress.
But that all changed in 1840, when Queen Victoria decided to get married in a bright white wedding dress.
In order to ‘keep up with the Joneses’, wealthy men insisted that their brides-to-be would wear white on their wedding day, primarily as a public demonstration of their prosperity and social class.
After a while the colour white became imbued with additional meanings, such as feminine virginity, which kept it as the normal colour for brides to wear.
But now it’s the 21st century; superstition and what the Queen is wearing are no longer quite so important…
So take back control, and wear a black wedding dress if that’s what you want!
BUT IS A BLACK WEDDING DRESS APPROPRIATE?
It’s totally fine to wear a black gown to your wedding.
But… it does depend somewhat on your situation.
For example, if your wedding is traditional and if your guests are conservative or religious in their outlook, a black wedding dress may not be the right choice. Unless you want to make a serious impression that is!
But if your wedding is modern, more liberal, or simply more avant-garde, then go ahead. Your guests will love it.
Wear a black wedding dress, and be proud about it.
WHERE CAN I BUY MY BLACK WEDDING DRESS?
From Ivory Black.
We’re a new bridal company specialising in creating the kind of wedding gowns you simply can’t get anywhere else.
Such as our award-winning black wedding dress.
It boasts a gorgeous steel boned corset inlaid with jeweller’s sequins, and a Victorian-style crinoline to maintain its beautiful silhouette.
All of our wedding gowns are made by hand to your measurements, and are created from scratch in our British studio by our excellent British designers.
CAN I GET A BLACK WEDDING DRESS HAND-MADE?
You certainly can.
At Ivory Black we’re happy to create any style of wedding dress you desire, and will work with you, every step of the way, to craft your ideal black wedding gown.
Send us a quick message or give us a call (scroll to the bottom for our contact number), and let’s have a chat about how we can help.
We aren’t pushy with the sales talk either; we’re happy to just chat and help out.
WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN WEARING A BLACK WEDDING DRESS?
Black wedding dresses look amazing in photos when the contrasting colour is white.
That means a black wedding dress is perfect for a winter wedding in the snow.
But if you’re going for a wedding in the cold, make sure you take a warm scarf or shawl to throw over your shoulders for when you're waiting for the photographer to set up.
If a winter wedding sounds good to you, check out our ultimate guide to choosing a winter wedding dress.
Another thing to bear in mind is that black is a far more flattering colour than white or ivory, so you can get away with a lot more in a black wedding dress.
And if you choose a corset, you'll always look stunning, whatever your body shape.
Finally, we'd recommend pairing your black gown with some suitable shoes. A small heel is best, but you can wear comfortable flats if you choose a black wedding dress with a long train or a ballgown skirt.
IS BLACK A GOOD CHOICE FOR A GOTHIC OR HALLOWEEN WEDDING?
Absolutely. There’s no better colour.
With the right style (and an air of self-confidence) a black bridal gown can elevate your Gothic or Halloween wedding into a truly elegant affair.
Make sure to avoid the cheaper end of the market though. Low-cost black wedding dresses tend to look more like costumes than something a bride should be wearing…
If you like our black gowns, but would like something in a lower price bracket, send us a quick message or give us a call. We might be able to hand-craft you a high-quality, elegant black wedding dress…
YOUR BLACK WEDDING DRESS WITH IVORY BLACK
At Ivory Black we have a fine selection of black bridal dresses and black-accented ball gowns. We’ll make your dress by hand, from scratch, to your exact measurements.
You can even customise your black wedding dress if you fancy a black gown with sleeves, a veil, or anything else. Just let us know when you order.
Take a look at our stunning gowns and imagine yourself rocking one on your big day.
GOT A QUESTION ABOUT BLACK WEDDING DRESSES?
Ask your question in the comments below, and we’ll answer you as best we can.