Wedding Guest Buys Blue Dress, Horror at What She Realizes Night Before
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A Reddit user is being hailed for her quick thinking and creative wardrobe solution after narrowly avoiding a wedding guest nightmare.
In a post that has since racked up 18,000 upvotes, a woman who goes by u/GranddaughterofBeryl shared how she had second thoughts about her baby blue dress as she realized something which was a major wedding etiquette no-no.
"After staring at it long enough, I convinced myself it looked too close to white and might appear white or washed out in photos," she wrote.
The post, titled "How I saved my baby blue dress from the dreaded 'will photograph white' nightmare," struck a chord with thousands who appreciated both the ingenuity and the respect shown to traditional wedding customs.
A stock image of a woman holding a yellow and blue dress in each hand.
A stock image of a woman holding a yellow and blue dress in each hand.
SunnyVMD/iStock / Getty Images Plus
The Hack: Baby Oil and Heat
In a move praised for its daring creativity, she turned to an old memory of clothing stained by baby oil and used that logic to deepen the tone of her dress on purpose. Her step-by-step guide included:
Spraying the entire dress with baby oil using a spray bottle until it was saturated.
the entire dress with baby oil using a spray bottle until it was saturated. Ironing each section to heat-set the oil.
each section to heat-set the oil. Resting the dress for 30 minutes in front of a heater.
the dress for 30 minutes in front of a heater. Machine washing on a cool, short cycle with low spin.
on a cool, short cycle with low spin. Air drying without heat or a tumble dryer.
The result? A deeper, truer blue that no longer risked confusion at the ceremony.
"Because it's polyester jacquard, the texture helped hide any unevenness," she wrote. "The oil subtly deepened the tone just enough to take away the 'too white' look without turning it into a full stain."
The woman concluded her post with pride: "It's subtle, but it's made a big difference."
Why White (and Almost-Whi
te) is Taboo
Newsweek spoke with wedding expert Zoe Burke, who explained why this viral fix was more than just a clever DIY—it was an act of courtesy.
She said: "Wearing white to a wedding is traditionally seen as a no-no because white is strongly associated with the bride's dress," said Burke. "It's considered a sign of respect and etiquette for guests to avoid wearing white so they don't upstage or distract from the bride on her special day."
Burke, the editor of wedding planner website Hitched.co.uk, emphasized that even pale or off-white shades—like cream, ivory, and very light blue—can pose problems, particularly under flash photography or certain lighting conditions.
"They might appear too close to white in photos, especially in certain lighting," she said.
She added that it's also best to avoid wearing all-black outfits, particularly for daytime weddings. As this color is often associated with mourning.
She said: "Red is also a bridal color in some cultures, so if you're unsure, it's best to check in with the nearly-weds to get their opinion.
"Ultimately, when choosing an outfit, guests should aim to complement the couple's style and the wedding's vibe without overshadowing the happy couple. Soft pastels, jewel tones, and classic colors like navy, burgundy, or emerald tend to be safe and stylish choices that respect tradition while allowing guests to look their best."
Internet Applause: 'Wild, But You Did It'
The Reddit community quickly rallied behind the post, leaving hundreds of supportive and astonished comments.
One user wrote: "Girl this is wild but you did it."
Another chimed in: "You took a hell of a gamble, I'm so glad it worked out well! Enjoy the wedding!"
A third praised the fix for its broader usefulness: "This is absolutely brilliant! I have a shirt that I stained in a similar way. Thank you for giving me a way to fix it!"
Newsweek reached out to u/GranddaughterofBeryl for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.
Has a wedding come between your relationship with a loved one? Let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
No, You Aren't Obligated to Feed Your Kids' Friends, but Here's Why It Might Be Worth It
All it takes is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to make your home feel like the safest place in the world. Once your kid is old enough for playdates, you might find that your days after school and on the weekends are taken up by a rotating cast of friends coming through your door—especially as your children get older. Typically that's a good thing—we can only hope that our kids form strong bonds with their peers, and that our homes feel like a warm, welcoming space—at least until they all start raiding your pantry. One mom found herself wondering what the proper etiquette is for parents who feel as though they are constantly feeding other peoples' kids. 'Are we expected to be feeding these kids lunch if they are over when my kids are going to eat? Can I just send them home and tell them to come back later? What is protocol these days?' she asked Reddit. Are Parents Obligated to Feed Their Kids' Friends? The answer really depends on your family's values—there isn't necessarily a right or wrong way to approach it. If you have the means (and a fully stocked pantry and refrigerator) you might have no problem freely offering food anytime your kid has a playdate or friends over. 'I want my home to feel like a second home to [my kid's friends] so they feel welcome and seen. I'm grateful they show up and spend time with us and feel comfortable,' wrote one commenter. If you have no issue opening up your home to hoards of hungry kids, one caveat is that you should 'talk to parents first about any allergies or diet restrictions if the child isn't able to clearly and confidently communicate them to me themselves,' as another commenter pointed out. It's also just as valid to feel as though your budget doesn't allow for many kids other than your own to eat through your weekly groceries—or that you are too busy with chores or taking care of your other kids to prepare a meal for their friends. 'To Have a Village, You Have to Be a Villager' That being said, if you do decide that you're not able to feed your kids friends, there are some downsides—it might mean giving up a sense of community and camaraderie with other families in your neighborhood. Parents say, 'they have no village and want a village yet also don't want to take actions that would set the building blocks for said village. A village doesn't just magically appear unless we as parents put ourselves out there somehow. This is exactly how you begin to create a community—providing light snacks or lunch for a few kids and then the hope is that eventually other parents return the favor and you start to build a village,' wrote one commenter. Providing Snacks for Friends Goes Beyond Satisfying Their Hunger Sometimes, all it takes is a handful of pretzels and an orange, not necessarily any elaborate meal, to make both your kids and their friends feel happy and comfortable. Depending on your values as a parent, you may create certain boundaries around snacking, like kids aren't welcome to rummage around the cabinets without asking first, or that they have to go home before dinner so you can have some one-on-one family time. But otherwise, feeding the neighborhood kids doesn't have to be high maintenance task. And it might feel more worth it when you remember that feeding your kids' friends isn't just about making sure that they don't go hungry. It's also about signaling to other kids and parents around you that your family is dependable, and that your home is a safe space. Even if all you can offer is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, to a child that really needs to feel welcomed and cared for, that sandwich might as well be a feast. Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Newsweek
Chinese Ships Detected Near Coast of US Ally
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. China's coast guard has been occupying waters off the coast of the Philippines' largest islands, carrying out patrols that could further inflame territorial Beijing-Manila tensions. Newsweek has reached out to the Philippine coast guard and Chinese foreign ministry via email for comment outside of office hours. Why It Matters Beijing claims jurisdiction over most of the South China Sea, alleging historical rights. It regularly deploys its coast guard in what analysts have called a bid to normalize China's presence in neighboring countries' maritime zones. The Philippines has mounted the stiffest pushback, with confrontations between the two countries' coast guards raising concerns a misunderstanding could trigger Manila's Mutual Defense Treaty with Washington and spark a greater power conflict. China Coast Guard vessel conducts a patrol on October 14, 2024, in Sansha, Hainan province. China Coast Guard vessel conducts a patrol on October 14, 2024, in Sansha, Hainan province. Wang Jiang/Associated Press What To Know A Chinese coast guard cutter with hull number 3304 was observed just 50 nautical miles (57.5 miles) off the west coast of Luzon on Wednesday morning, according to ship-tracking data shared on X by Ray Powell, director of the Stanford University-affiliated maritime analysis group SeaLight. Meanwhile, a second vessel, China Coast Guard 5306, was spotted near Half Moon Shoal, roughly 50 nautical miles from Palawan, the country's westernmost major island. Both ships were more than 900 miles from China's southernmost province of Hainan and within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, an area extending 200 nautical miles from territorial waters in which the Philippines alone is entitled to explore and manage natural resources under international maritime law. Powell contrasted what he described as the "intrusive" Chinese patrols with the activities of their Philippine counterparts, who were engaged in relief efforts as tropical storm Francisco brought mudflows and flooding to Luzon, including parts of Manila, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate. Since taking office in 2022, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has stepped up the country's challenge to Chinese activities within the exclusive economic zone, including efforts to run Chinese blockades around hotspots like the Spratly Islands' Second Thomas Shoal, where the Philippines maintains a small military garrison aboard a grounded former warship. While tensions have eased somewhat on the matter of Second Thomas Shoal since a fierce clash in June 2024 that resulted in several Philippine injuries, Chinese coast guard ships have been observed sailing further east—though rarely as close as the recent approach by cutter 3304. China has called on the Philippines to return to bilateral dialogue and accused Manila of acting as a pawn in U.S. efforts to contain its rise. July 12 marked the ninth anniversary of a Hague-based arbitral tribunal's decision that largely rejected China's expansive claims over the South China Sea. Beijing did not participate in the proceedings and maintains the ruling is invalid and politically motivated. What's Next China is likely to continue deploying maritime forces into the Philippine EEZ, but it remains to be seen where Manila will draw the line and what will be the threshold for further escalation.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Guest Outraged After Being Charged for Water at Couple's Outdoor Wedding on a Humid, Sunny 95-Degree Day
To make matters worse, the bar was cash-only. There's no denying that a wedding is all about the couple of honor, but that doesn't mean their guests should be ignored: As a bride or groom, part of your responsibility on the wedding day is being a great host. That means you should greet your attendees, ensure they're well taken care of, and provide food and drinks for them—at a minimum. While not every wedding has a full open bar, etiquette rules generally state that there should be a selection of free beverages, both alcohol and non-alcoholic. At a recent wedding, though, that wasn't the case. According to a Reddit post on the website's /weddingshaming thread, guests showed up for a couple's outdoor ceremony and reception and learned that anything from the bar—including water—would need to be paid for by the attendees. That wasn't even where the communication breakdown began. "I knew nothing coming into this wedding aside from the time and place. That was the only information given on the invitation, and there was no wedding website to get more information," the original poster explained. "Turns out, it was an outdoor wedding on a humid 95° and sunny afternoon (thought it was indoor because I looked up the venue). People were in shorts, tees, and slip-ons, and others were in floor-length gowns. One lady was in a full white dress." Related: Bride Called "Manipulative and Selfish" for Secretly Selling Alcohol to Guests at Dry Wedding The ceremony itself went fairly well, the OP noted. Other than the heat and crying kids, everything went as planned and was relatively quick. As guests moved to cocktail hour, there was "no direction on what to do." "I follow the herd to the bar line. At this point, I am drowning in my own sweat, and all I want is water," the original poster wrote. "I'm not paying attention to the people in front of me because I'm busy trying to fight off flies. My turn in line and I ask for water. 'You got it, $2.' I look up and I see the sign. No free beverages- period. Not even water." Too hot to argue, the guest handed the bartender their credit card before learning that it was a cash-only bar. Luckily, they had some money in their purse. The guest went on to note that they "felt sick from the heat" by dinner and had "little interest in socializing." Dinner was a buffet, which the OP noted looked "homey"—"No problem," they wrote. "Who doesn't love a home cooked meal?" Unfortunately, by the time it was their turn to grab dinner, everything was covered in flies. Dessert was also covered in bugs, the poster explained, but that wasn't a problem since there were no plates or forks for the cake. "I truly don't feel like this was real life," the guest wrote. "Like this had to be a practical joke, right?" Other Reddit users agreed that the wedding sounded like a mess, and they all took issue with the lack of free water for attendees. "I truly am an easy going guest. I have zero issue with cash bars, I will very rarely complain about the choices a couple made to celebrate their big day. But at a wedding in the dead of summer, you gotta provide some kind of beverage to your guests," one user wrote. Another added, "I have no issue with a dry wedding in the traditional sense. It's totally fine with me if there's no alcohol BUT dry does NOT mean literally dry where you can't even get water! In this instance, a cash bar is beyond shame worthy." Up Next: A Bride-to-Be Was Furious After Her Future In-Laws Booked a Sports Bar With "Bad" Reviews for the Rehearsal Dinner Read the original article on Brides Solve the daily Crossword
