Debate Over Bridal Fashion Etiquette Ignites Online

A well-known reality TV figure stirred heated discussions online after attending her son’s wedding in a controversial outfit. Dolores Catania, from “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” shared photos of herself at the wedding wearing a pale blue, elaborately designed gown. Her son, Frank Catania Jr., was marrying Nicole Perricho in Portugal.

The outfit choice caused quite a stir on the BravoRealHousewives subreddit, where a thread titled “Dolores wore white to her son’s wedding” received hundreds of responses critiquing her fashion decision as a breach of wedding etiquette.

“Of course she did,” commented a Reddit user. “She wanted to upstage the bride…”

Another participant lamented her outfit choice, saying it was inconspicuous at a wedding, adversely impacting the special day:

“She’s already the ‘TV personality,’ the least she could do is try to dress subtle and keep a low profile to give the girl her day. But alas, monster-in-law it is,”

While some claimed the dress was closer to white, others insisted on its blue shade. A Reddit user noted:

“It wasn’t white, it was like a light blue. Personally, I stay away from pale colors like that for weddings because they can photograph white like this.”

Historically, Western bridal gowns were not predominantly white. According to History.com, brides traditionally wore their finest dress, regardless of color. The trend shifted following Queen Victoria’s 1840 wedding, where she donned a white satin gown.

Queen Victoria’s choice played a pivotal role in solidifying white as the standard bridal color, thanks to economic growth and the rise of the middle class. By the late 1800s, it became an expected choice for brides.

While bridal attire has its nuances, the Emily Post Institute explains that opting for non-white bridal wear doesn’t breach etiquette. Brides should, however, weigh personal taste against its potential impact on guests.

Regarding guest attire, classic wedding norms advise avoiding white to not overshadow the bride. Wedding-planning guide The Knot recommends examining the couple’s wedding website for color themes and checking the invitation for dress code details. Etiquette consultant Diane Gottsman suggests that gold attire can suit the mother of the bride if it isn’t overwhelming and the bride agrees.

Ultimately, when dressing for a wedding, consideration for the occasion and the preferences of the couple is essential. Understanding cultural shifts in bridal fashion further highlights the importance of respectful choices.