Geri Halliwell-Horner's outfit for her former bandmate Melanie C's wedding in the Lake District has ignited online discussion, with some critics questioning her decision to wear a cream, floral dress that bore a resemblance to bridal attire.
The 53-year-old former Spice Girl's choice for Melanie C and Chris Dingwall's nuptials has divided opinion, even though Halliwell-Horner is known for frequently wearing white. Some fans felt a different color would have been more appropriate, adhering to the traditional wedding guest rule of avoiding white to ensure the focus remains on the bride.
One commenter on Mumsnet stated that wearing white is a sign of respect, suggesting that even if the couple does not mind, brides may prefer guests not to wear white. Others defended Halliwell-Horner, noting that her ensemble did not strongly resemble a traditional bridal gown.
This incident is not the first time a celebrity has faced scrutiny for wedding guest attire. Fashion experts point to several instances where celebrities and royals have opted for outfits that bordered on bridal, potentially upstaging the bride. Lisa Talbot, speaking to the Daily Mail, advised caution, saying, "If there's any chance it could resemble bridalwear in photographs, I would avoid it."
Past examples include Molly-Mae Hague, who wore a form-fitting, white lace dress to her manager's wedding in 2023, drawing similar questions about appropriateness. While some pointed out that other guests wore identical outfits, suggesting it was a pre-selected bridesmaid style, others felt it was too bridal-inspired.
In 2023, Lana Del Rey attended Margaret Qualley's wedding in a pink and white dress, which was considered an unconventional choice. Hailey Bieber also faced criticism for wearing a white, backless dress to a friend's wedding in 2023, prompting comments about violating wedding dress codes.
Even members of the British Royal Family have been noted for wearing light-colored outfits. The Princess of Wales wore an Alexander McQueen coat dress in an ultra-pale lemon hue to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018. The color was so close to the white bridesmaid dresses worn by Princess Charlotte that some questioned the choice, though fashion expert Laura Craik suggested it might have been a deliberate, safe choice for a summer wedding.
Princess Diana also made headlines in 1989 when she wore a white dress and matching ivory heels to her brother Charles Spencer's wedding. To mitigate its bridal appearance, she paired it with a darker jacket.
Victoria Beckham has also navigated this fashion territory. In 2019, she wore a patterned midi dress to a wedding, accessorized with bright pink heels. Later, in 2022, she wore a white satin gown for pre-wedding festivities for former British Vogue editor Edward Enninful, which sparked debate among her fans.
Talbot concluded that white remains the most controversial color choice for wedding guests, emphasizing the importance of polished, respectful, and appropriate attire for the occasion.