Marriage ceremonies continue to evolve with new trends emerging and becoming part of the custom. However, one rule of thumb remains: wearing white is probably one of the most notorious and longest-running social faux pas guests can make. After all, the wedding is supposed to be that one day when all eyes are on the happy couple, and nobody should be stealing their spotlight. Except not everyone seems to agree.

When some friends and family decide to turn the occasion into a drama-tinged reality show, the topic turns into a touchy issue that tends to spark fiery debates online. And one story shared on the ‘True Off My Chest’ subreddit is a perfect example of that.

The Reddit user explained that after his girlfriend’s brother invited them to his wedding, she decided the unspoken rule didn’t apply to her. “Instead of wearing the dress she bought when she went shopping with her mum, she wore a different one. It was a lacy white floor length one,” he recounted.

Thinking this behavior is highly inappropriate, the man refused to go with her. But as she saw nothing wrong in her actions, she proceeded — and created a lot of drama in the family. Read on to find out what happened after and how the internet reacted right below.

After his girlfriend secretly bought a white dress to wear at her brother’s wedding, this man refused to go with her — but she wouldn’t change her mind

Image source: El gringo photo (not the actual photo)

Here’s how everything went down, in the man’s own words

Image source: Wallace Araujo (not the actual photo)

Image source: Account_throwaway451

“Wearing white to a wedding as a guest is impolite because it is reserved for the bride or a partner of a same-sex couple,” Emma Arendoski, a leading wedding expert, event planner, and founder of the Emmaline Bride blog, told Bored Panda in an email.

“The happy couple has the choice to wear white — or not — and no one else should upstage them by wearing white or a variation of it (such as ivory and champagne).” The wedding expert explained that wearing white to a wedding is a definite no-no. Unless, of course, the couple asks you to.

“One reason why it is a ‘rule’ is that white stands out and puts the couple in the spotlight, as they should be,” Emma added. “The couple deserves the spotlight, not a guest.”

If you’re not the bride or the groom, it’s best to attract as little attention as possible and show respect to the newlyweds by being on your best behavior and dressing appropriately. Emma believes that when it comes to attire, anyone invited to a wedding should have the wisdom to choose an outfit that won’t upset the couple.

However, we were curious to learn what guests should do if they have any hesitation about appropriate clothes. Emma revealed that her rule of thumb is this: “I don’t think it deserves a dialogue with the soon-to-be weds, as they have plenty on their plate as it is! If the outfit requires a discussion, it probably means you should choose another dress option.”

But just like the woman in the story shared on ‘True Off My Chest,’ some people seem to throw common sense out through the door and wouldn’t change their mind about their clothes. Even when their partner points out it’s highly inappropriate.

Speaking of the issue, Emma said that some guests don’t understand the rule and why it matters. “If your partner or wedding date plans to wear white to the wedding, you may want to let them know it’s probably not a good idea,” she suggested. “By gently letting them know that it may appear as their dress is too similar to the bride’s, it may provide enough caution to change into something else before the celebration.”

And if this doesn’t help? Well, you can use this story as a cautionary tale.

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We’d love to hear your thoughts on this situation in the comments below. How would you have reacted in this situation? How do you think the boyfriend and the family handled the situation? Feel free to share your opinions, as well as personal experiences, in the comments.

Later, the user explained that the incident left the brother furious

Readers were appalled by the woman’s behavior and applauded how the family handled the situation

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