Is It Okay To Wear A Yellow Dress As A Wedding Guest?

Though weddings are becoming less traditional as the years go on, there are still certain customs that remain in place. Particularly if you're a guest, respecting standard wedding conventions will ensure that you don't accidentally commit a faux pas and steal the attention from the happy couple on their big day. There aren't too many guidelines to remember as a guest, but most of them relate to your outfit. We all know what not to wear to a wedding, and that's white, but what about wearing yellow?

In an exclusive conversation with Glam, Nikesha Tannehill Tyson, etiquette expert from the Swann School of Protocol in Shreveport, Louisiana, and author of the book "Going Public," confirms that yellow is acceptable in most cases. "Wedding guests' choice of color or print should not be an attention getter in a way that it overshadows the bride and groom," Tyson explains. As long as your yellow doesn't draw the eye for any reason, the way cut-out dresses can at conservative weddings, it's likely to be a safe choice. When choosing your tone of yellow, Tyson recommends keeping in mind "the wedding venue and theme with your color choice" along with the time of year to avoid any clashes. 

The time of year can play a big role in how well your yellow wedding outfit lands. According to Nikesha Tannehill Tyson, the best shade of yellow "depends on the season." She adds that vibrant, bright colors are ideal for summer, so this is the time to rock sunflower or lemon. "Dark rich hues for autumn," she tells Glam exclusively. "Deep hues and textured fabrics for a winter wedding." In these colder months, you could opt for gold and amber, butterscotch, canary, and even mustard yellow.

The one season you should be wary of if you've got your heart set on yellow is spring, when pastels reign supreme. "Be sure to steer clear of pale or a very soft yellow that may appear white in low lighting," Tyson advises. Even though pale yellow may be the ultimate no-color color, it could potentially ruffle some feathers. Unless you're certain that your pastel banana or butter yellow has enough saturation to clearly avoid being mistaken for white or cream, it's best to avoid it.

Luckily, yellow is generally a safe color to wear to a wedding, but Nikesha Tannehill Tyson advises checking in with the couple if you're unsure — remember that certain cultures may have different customs regarding wedding guest attire. It's also a possibility that the bridal party will be in yellow, which would be a reason to avoid it. "It is acceptable to ask the bride or groom, a member of the wedding party, or the wedding coordinator if you need a bit of guidance," she shares exclusively with Glam. 

If you don't want to check with the powers that be, remember the golden rule: "Unless the invitation suggests the attire is all white, absolutely no white, ivory, or cream," Tyson says. "White is still reserved for the bride." While yellow should be safe, your outfit should help you blend into the crowd — not cause a scene, make a statement, or offend anyone. "As a rule, if you are questioning your choice of color, maybe just go with something different altogether," Tyson suggests. "You may feel more confident and less likely to wonder if you made the right choice."