Who should wear wedding colours?

Tafadzwa Zimoyo Senior Lifestyle Reporter
Weddings are a time of laughter, love, tears and a whole lot of confusing rules and expectations. But while it is pretty easy to be a good wedding guest, it is also incredibly easy to be an annoying one. We have heard and read stories of wedding themes being a hit in Zimbabwe, with couples now wearing matching attires, be it African or sari when they get married. How many times have you had a headache about the wedding invitation regarding the colour code?

Most of the basic English names for colours like red, yellow, green, and white dominated in the late 80s, with weird and wonderful names for new colours now taking over. Think of champagne, olive, mikado, glaucous, australien, bastard amber and drunk-tank pink among other weird colours on themed invitations that are now trending. Again with traditional styles and etiquette slowly making more and more room for modern designs and ways of thinking, the issue of what brides or grooms should do with regard to their wedding invitations can get quite muddled. The invitation card has a colour theme of the wedding and that is what the groom and bride want guests to wear.

Mind you, mostly it is corporate events that demand a black tie affair but some weddings and parties nowadays are doing the same. However, it is still debatable. Should guests follow the invitation card instruction or it is a hint that if you see such colours on a particular person, it means that they are from the bridal team. A survey carried by The Saturday Herald Lifestyle revealed that the majority said that the colour codes on the wedding cards are meant for the bridal team and close family members. As a guest you are free to wear any colour you want.

“I am still surprised with some people who, after receiving the invitation card, have stress on what to wear on the particular day. Truth to be told, with such weird colour codes presented you wouldn’t want to go around trying to impress the bride and groom. For a start those colours are for the bride and groom. Avoid wearing them as you might end up outshining or overdressed for the occasion,” said wedding stylist Tatenda Marapa from Helensvale.

Marapa who has worked with different people, as wedding planner, always remind people to stay off themed colours. Some said, for a wedding, it is rude to indicate a preferred colour of dress.

“Is it rude to do so on the invitation or on a card sent with the invitation. People should wear what they want as long as it’s something nice. It won’t be fair to some people because you end up discriminating on those who can’t afford,” said Clifford Chikadaya, who was of the opinion that wedding themes should not be followed. Chikadaya, a mechanic by profession, said to some the issue of themes is going to come as a shock, but wedding guests are not interested in matching the theme colours of a wedding.

“They just want to look good, preferably without incurring expenses. If you asked them the next day what the theme colours were, many would not be able to say much beyond, ‘I think the bridesmaids had some sort of purplish-pink dresses. But maybe they were more blue-greenish. Anyway, the bride wore white’.” Some went on further to say that it is about trends and people should move with times.

“I agree, if the invite is pink definitely it’s a mark that you should be in pink. Try being subtle, bring the new colour in you for everyone,” said Marry Lee-Ann, a vivid wedding theme maker. With nearly 30 years in the business, Lee- Ann has seen the trends come and go, but said a few key aspects of your wedding invitations really should not be swayed by contemporary notions.

“First and foremost, the bride and groom should consider their colour scheme and theme for their wedding basing with their relatives. If you’re opting for a pop of colour at your wedding, consider bringing that colour out in some way on your invitations. If you’re not big on the idea of using your colour scheme, or if you’d rather stick with a more classic, traditional style. Remember the old folks, some do not understand this new phenomenon,” she said. Your wedding guest list will be filled with many different people in many different living and family situations, hence make sure you do not give them headache trying to run around for your weird colours.