A well-known reality television personality recently found herself at the center of an online controversy regarding her choice of dress for her son's wedding, with many suggesting her gown was inappropriately close to white.
Dolores Catania, recognized for her role on the series "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," shared several photographs of herself attending her son Frank Catania Jr.'s nuptials to Nicole Perricho in Portugal. Her attire, a pale blue, heavily embellished gown, quickly became a topic of intense discussion.
A post on a popular online forum, titled "Dolores wore white to her son’s wedding," attracted hundreds of comments, largely condemning the perceived breach of wedding etiquette.
Online Reactions and Etiquette Concerns
"Of course she did. She wanted to upstage the bride…" one commenter wrote.
Another user expressed similar sentiments, stating, "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."
The consensus among many online participants was one of disapproval. "I mean, I expected nothing less," remarked one individual, while another simply commented, "Not a good look."
The central point of contention revolved around the actual color of the dress. While some users firmly believed the dress was indeed white, others argued it was a pale blue but still too similar to a bridal gown to be appropriate.
"It looks like it has a hint of green, but here’s my thing, WHY do you need to wear something so close to white on this day?" questioned one commenter. "Any other color isn’t good enough at someone else’s wedding?"
Others acknowledged the dress's actual hue but understood the concern. "It wasn’t white, it was like a light blue," a Redditor clarified. "Personally, I stay away from pale colors like that for weddings because they can photograph white like this."
The discussion also touched upon the professional experience of the reality star. "Not defending it at all, it’s definitely way too close to white on any day….but it looks a little silver to me?" one user pondered, prompting a reply: "As an experienced TV personality, she should know how things photograph. She wanted the limelight, end of story."
The Evolution of White Wedding Gowns
The tradition of brides wearing white gowns is a relatively recent development in Western culture.
Historically, prior to the mid-19th century, many Western brides typically wore their finest dress, often one they had previously worn, regardless of its color, according to historical accounts. Brides commonly chose gowns in a variety of colors and patterns before this period.
A significant shift occurred in 1840 when Queen Victoria chose a white satin gown for her marriage to Prince Albert, capturing widespread public attention, as noted by the Victoria and Albert Museum. This royal choice greatly influenced fashion trends.
By the late 1800s, driven partly by economic advancements and the emergence of the middle class, the white wedding gown became the widely anticipated choice for most brides, establishing a new tradition.
Contemporary Wedding Attire Guidelines
Regarding modern bridal attire, the Emily Post Institute advises that a bride selecting a dress in a color other than white does not violate etiquette rules. However, they suggest that brides consider the broader implications of such a choice, noting that it might divert attention from the day's true purpose or upset older generations. The institute recommends brides "take into account the big picture (both your personal taste and its effect on others) when making this important decision."
For wedding guests, traditional etiquette dictates avoiding any attire that might overshadow the bride, with a particular emphasis on steering clear of white or colors that could be mistaken for white.
Wedding planning resources, such as The Knot, suggest that guests consult the couple’s wedding website for information regarding the wedding party's color scheme and review the invitation for specific dress code instructions.
Etiquette expert Diane Gottsman has previously stated that shades of gold can be appropriate for the mother of the bride, provided the dress "doesn’t look like you are the one getting married" and has the bride's express approval.