what color dress should bride wear to rehearsal dinner

Are you going to wear white at your rehearsal dinner?

I will probably shop soon for a dress for my rehearsal dinner. I thought it would be cute to wear a somewhat casual short white dress, but then I read this article about rehearsal dinner attire that said:

"You should probably avoid anything close to what you're wearing the next day -- white, off-white or ivory."

I know I can do what I want and I don't have to listen to this... but just wondering how many people are going to wear white vs not?

25 Comments

Expert May 2015
I've never heard of any fashion faux paus about whether not not to wear white. I won't but that's because I always spill food on me!
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VIP September 2014
I will be wearing an ivory dress, the same dress I wore for my bridal shower I want to get my money's worth.
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Master June 2025
I think I am, I'm planning on buying a little dress from downtown (Or possibly sewing one for myself) but it's going to be short (my dress is long) with a completely different neckline from my dress.

I was planning on having that dress and just use it for shower/rehearsal/going away dress... I'm all for multiple uses out of clothes and I think white is cute (most other times I'll be able to dress up are weddings where you're not supposed to wear white, so why not do it as much as you can when you're the bride! )
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Expert October 2014
Becky · on August 22, 2014 at 11:07 PM
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Good point future mrs. jkr!
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HisBride · on August 22, 2014 at 11:07 PM
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My plan is to wear some shade of white to all wedding events. two weeks before, I will wear white to my Bachelorette party, rehearsal and any other event that comes up . I Rarely wear white. But, since the engagement it's my new favorite color. I probably won't wear a white dress to the rehearsal,though. Pants for me
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Haven't decided yet. I'm going to try a few places to see if I can find a cute, short, white dress but not going to stress about it. Everyone knows who the bride is so it will be fine with or without white.
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Master May 2014
The Mrs R · on August 22, 2014 at 11:16 PM
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I wore a dress that was in-between white and ivory. I wore some shade of white/ivory for all pre-wedding events.
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Master January 2015
MelissaC · on August 22, 2014 at 11:25 PM
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I'm going to be wearing red, the color my bridesmaids are wearing for my wedding.
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VIP September 2014
Mrs.Temme · on August 22, 2014 at 11:32 PM
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I'll definitely be in white! I'm wearing 'bridal white' every chance u get because I'm a bride! For my Bach weekend on Vegas I only brought white to west :-)
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Super January 2016
I think it's acceptable to wear a white dress. A recent rehearsal I went to the bride wore a casual white dress. She looked so cute and obviously excited!

I don't plan on wearing white simply because I hardly ever wear it. And I think it'll be hard to find something warm enough. I'll probably wear my usual grey/silver/black tones. Which Silver is one of my colors so I don't really care.
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Master January 2015
I was just thinking about this today.i think i would like a long rehearsal dinner dress so i will get a colored dress
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Dedicated September 2014
I'm wearing a cute, casual short white dress to mine. Can't wait!
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Expert November 2014
I've never heard that. I wore black and white for my shower and will be wearing a white dress with some kind of pop of color in a sweater for the rehearsal. In general though, I think "fashion rules" are dumb.
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Rachel DellaPorte · on August 23, 2014 at 7:35 AM
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Who makes up these rules? It says,"You should probably avoid anything close to what you're wearing the next day -- white, off-white or ivory." Does it say why? I can't come up with a reason for this.

I've seen plenty of brides in white at their rehearsal dinners (and showers).
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Expert October 2014
Becky · on August 23, 2014 at 7:59 AM
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It did not say why and it wasn't like a hard and fast rule just a suggestion. By all these responses I would say most people do not agree with this article so I will go ahead with my plan to wear white. Here is the article if anyone is curious:

http://weddings.weddingchannel.com/wedding-planning-ideas/wedding-parties-bridal-showers/articles/what-to-wear-to-the-rehearsal-bride.aspx
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Master September 2014
I initially wanted to but ummmmm.... I plan on wearing something nice that I already own. I'm tired of buying a new outfit for every little wedding event. I'd rather save my money.

I'll be sure its nothing I have taken pics in before on social media... LOL
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Expert September 2014
Madeline · on August 23, 2014 at 8:51 AM
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I'm just going to pull something nice out of my closet so it's likely to not be white. But then again we haven't done much that's super traditional.
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Master September 2014
I am wearing a dress to match FH pinstripe suit. It's black and trimmed with grey.

I never heard of the "rule of thumb" about avoiding shades of white.
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Master October 2014
Sarahdell · on August 23, 2014 at 8:56 AM
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I am wearing white - same as @Jenn...Future Mrs. F! I picked up a dress that's convertible from White House Black Market so it will be slightly different from the shower to the rehearsal but it is white

http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=96&pageId=1&productId=570118906&viewAll=&prd=Genius+Convertible+Fit++Flare+Ecru+Dress&subCatId=&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=7&catId=cat210002&cat=Dresses++Skirts&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=6&size=
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Dedicated July 2015
gwinnybee · on August 23, 2014 at 9:33 AM
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I'm wearing white! I found an adorable dressy casual dress on modcloth months before I was even engaged with the intention of wearing it to the rehearsal dinner
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