Bride-to-Be Suggests Guests Wear Their Own Bridal Gowns to Wedding. One Attendee Says It ‘Feels Like a Trap’

A wedding guest recently turned to the internet for advice after a bride-to-be encouraged attendees to wear their own bridal gowns to her upcoming ceremony.

The anonymous guest shared her story on Reddit’s “Wedding Attire Approval” subreddit, explaining that a wedding website included a quirky suggestion: guests could don their own wedding dresses if they wished. She included a screenshot of the message from the bride, who is the wife-to-be of her husband’s close friend.

The website read, “How about, if you have one, and if you want to, and if you fit in it, your own wedding dress! Go on, it will be fun. If not, then as fabulous a costume as you feel up for, whether it’s an 80s prom number or your sequinnest onesie. OR.. just your favorite party attire, or chinos, or pretty much anything, just not formal. Extra points for medieval feasting finest.”

Although the gown idea was presented as a casual option, the Reddit user expressed some hesitation. She shared that her wedding dress “fits,” is “comfy and perfect,” and that her wardrobe options are limited.

“I worry I would be the only one to do this and get looks from the (very large) crowd, so it kinda feels like a trap,” she wrote. “But it’s also literally in the wedding website sooo I kinda wanna do it to honor the request as also it’s the comfiest public-facing garment I own.”

To add more context, the guest noted that her husband and the groom have been friends for over 25 years. Although she hasn’t met the bride or groom personally, she considered asking her husband to double-check with the groom if wearing her gown would be appropriate.

“I dunno I want to but I worry people could be kinda brutal about it if I do,” she added on Reddit. “Am I too in my head about this? My friends say I should just do it and if anyone has a problem with it, that’s their issue not mine. What do you guys think?”

The top comments on the post leaned in favor of wearing the wedding dress since the bride herself suggested it.

“If the bride is suggesting it and you want an excuse to wear it again then do it!! All the guests will have read the same instructions as you and therefore will understand,” one user said. “It’s quite clear the bride isn’t going to be wearing a typical white wedding dress so you’ll be fine!!”

Another commenter wrote, “I want an invite to this wedding. Sounds awesome. Wear your dress. There will definitely be other women that do. I would 💯 love to wear my dress again. The bride’s outfit will be incredible I bet. Please share it with us (with her permission obviously).”

Following the flood of supportive comments, the original poster confirmed she decided to go with the bridal gown—but with a plan to tone it down a bit.

She said, “I plan to check charity shops in my area for some sort of cosy and cute cardigan/shawl/wrap situation to break up the white, and give me a cover. Otherwise I plan to wear this with my hair down in waves, with a wavy brimmed straw hat and summery t-strap flat sandals. Maybe a cute belt if I can find one to help dress it down a bit more? I’m hoping this is a solid summer solstice/celebration lewk. I will also bring a backup change of some fun casual street clothes just in case I feel overdressed.”

The wedding, she added, will take place on a farm, and thanks to the feedback from Reddit, her anxiety about the outfit choice has eased.

“I’ll try to remember to come back in a couple weeks after the wedding to tell y’all all about it,” she wrote.