Reality television personality Dolores Catania has become the subject of an online debate after wearing a gown described by some as too close to white to her son's wedding in Portugal.
Catania, a star of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," posted images from her son Frank Catania Jr.'s wedding to Nicole Perricho. The dress, a pale blue with elaborate embellishments, drew hundreds of comments on the BravoRealHousewives subreddit. Many commenters accused Catania of attempting to upstage the bride, a significant faux pas in traditional wedding etiquette.
Discussions on the subreddit focused on whether the gown constituted a violation of wedding guest norms. "She wanted to upstage the bride…" one user commented, echoing sentiments that Catania, as a public figure, should have chosen a more subdued outfit to allow the bride to be the center of attention. Others defended the dress, suggesting it was not precisely white but a shade of light blue or silver that could photograph as white.
Wedding etiquette traditionally advises guests to avoid wearing white to prevent detracting from the bride. This custom has historical roots, with Queen Victoria's choice of a white satin gown for her 1840 marriage to Prince Albert popularizing the tradition in Western culture. Prior to the mid-19th century, brides often wore dresses in various colors or their best available attire.
The Emily Post Institute advises that while wearing non-white shades is not a strict rule today, guests should consider the impact on the couple and older generations. Wedding planning sites like The Knot suggest checking couple's wedding websites for dress code information. Etiquette experts also note that even colors like gold can be appropriate for mothers of the bride or groom, provided the outfit does not resemble bridal wear and has the bride's approval.
Amidst the online discourse, some users pointed out that as an experienced television personality, Catania should be aware of how attire can be perceived and photographed, suggesting her choice was deliberate for attention. The conversation highlights differing views on modern wedding guest attire and the enduring significance of traditional etiquette.