Dolores Catania’s Wedding Dress Sparks Online Debate

Reality television star Dolores Catania found herself at the center of online controversy following her appearance at her son’s wedding. Known for her role in “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” Catania attended Frank Catania Jr.’s wedding to Nicole Perricho wearing a gown described as pale blue and heavily embellished.

Online Reactions

Her choice of attire led to a lively discussion on the BravoRealHousewives subreddit. Many users reacted strongly to the post titled “Dolores wore white to her son’s wedding,” attracting a multitude of comments about the potential breach of wedding etiquette.

“Of course she did,” one Redditor remarked, suggesting she aimed to outshine the bride.
“Monster-in-law it is,” another user commented, criticizing her for not choosing a more understated look.

Catania’s gown, which some argued was not technically white, drew mixed responses. Several Reddit users debated whether the dress was too close to white to be acceptable.

One user noted, “It looks like it has a hint of green, but why choose a color so close to white?” Another wrote, “Personally, I avoid pale colors for weddings because they can photograph as white.”

An experienced TV personality, one commenter argued Catania should have known how certain colors photograph, suggesting she wanted to be in the spotlight.

Historical Context of Bridal Colors

The controversy touches on a broader historical context of bridal attire. According to History.com, Western brides traditionally wore their best dress until the mid-19th century. The trend shifted when Queen Victoria wore a white satin gown in 1840, which influenced fashion norms, making white the standard for bridal wear.

The Victoria and Albert Museum explains that the adoption of white dresses was partly due to economic progress and the rise of the middle class.

Changing Traditions and Etiquette

Modern bridal etiquette allows for more flexibility. The Emily Post Institute notes brides can choose non-white dresses without offending etiquette, although such choices might draw attention away from the bride’s intended focus.

For wedding guests, traditional etiquette suggests avoiding attire that might overshadow the bride, including white dresses.

Wedding-planning site The Knot advises guests to consult the couple’s wedding website and invitation for dress code information to ensure they dress appropriately.

Etiquette expert Diane Gottsman clarifies that while gold can be suitable for the mother of the bride, it should not resemble bridal wear unless approved by the bride.

Author and freelance writer Teresa Mull contributes regularly to the Lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.