All-Black Weddings All Right with Modern Couples
As the seasons change, summer pastels are replaced by the warm and welcome colors of fall in décor, design, and dress. However, for some couples planning fall weddings, deep reds and browns aren’t quite dark enough for their preference. These soon-to-be brides and grooms often choose to go all in with all-black weddings, making it more than alright to color all aspects of their wedding with a classic choice that combines elements of tradition with the trends of today.
For many people, the color black is most closely associated with funeral attire, gothic culture, and as a perfect partner to orange in the month of October for all-things horror- and Halloween-related. Yet, society has shown that the color black is apropos for so much more than crying and costumes, as evidenced by a man wearing a classic black suit with a woman in a trendy little black dress – both are eye-catching and elegant.
In modern weddings, the appeal of the color black continues to grow, as it becomes an increasingly popular choice for bridal gowns and dresses – not only for fall, but also year-round. However, this trend isn’t really new, as some fashion history accounts detail brides choosing black for their wedding dress in times past because it would be a dress they could wear again, versus a white dress that would only be worn once for the wedding. For grooms of the past, the same is true, as most men owned a version of a multi-purpose black suit.
In choosing black wedding attire as preference over practicality, many of today’s couples are also using the color black as the basis of their wedding design boards. The ideas for the color black in weddings are endless: décor, bouquets, invitations, cakes, rings, etc.—with any other pop of color welcomed as a perfect complement to black as the main color of the wedding.
In Indian River County (IRC), the trend of all-black weddings is still being seen in bridal shops such as Bridal Suite of Vero Beach. Owner Janice Carvelli described the clients who have requested black wedding gowns as part of the black wedding trend during the last few years.
“We have had brides request black dresses for their wedding, and some have also had their bridesmaids wear black as well. For the most part, the brides choosing black are a bit older – late-20s to mid-30s, versus younger brides in their early-20s – and they are choosing big, puffy dresses in black,” said Carvelli. She also noted that with brides who choose black dresses, the groom and his groomsmen would typically also wear black.
While brides who choose a black dress is still on trend, wedding industry experts are still often asked about the wedding etiquette of guests wearing black to the wedding.
According to wedding etiquette expert Elaine Swann, “Decades ago, wearing black to a wedding was considered a fashion faux pas since the color is often worn at funerals and, therefore, associated with mourning. Since nuptials are celebratory occasions, the dark hue was labeled off-limits for attendees in the past. However, in today’s modern-day age, wearing black to a wedding is completely acceptable, and in many cases, it’s even encouraged.”
Adding to Swann’s comment is wedding expert Ashley Smith, who explained, “Black is often considered the most formal, polished, and flattering color. Black also hides curves or things you might not want to show with ease, such as a cast or recent surgery. The dark tone is sophisticated, chic, and versatile, making it a go-to choice across many aesthetics, venues, and seasons. Additionally, since black is a neutral hue, it offers a lot of flexibility regarding styling—you have the leeway to pair the deep shade with brightly colored accessories or stick to an all-black ensemble.”
For couples considering an all-black wedding, there are many traditional reasons to embrace the color black—including the old-time belief that a black dress symbolized the bride’s devotion to her husband until death. However, a more modern and personal reason to choose black as an all-inclusive wedding color is that the color black is as deep and endless as the couple’s love itself.
Photo courtesy of Nicole Colwell
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