Mom Wears A White Gown To Her Son’s Wedding, So The Bride’s Friend Makes Sure She’s Uncomfortable
Interview With AuthorA couple’s wedding day should be all about them. Even though their family members and friends are involved, and may be an integral part of the celebration, they shouldn’t do anything that’s going to steal attention away from the happy couple. And if they do, karma might just come for them…
One Reddit user recently shared a story detailing how her friend’s mother-in-law showed up to her son’s wedding wearing a white gown. But instead of calling her out or making a scene, the friend decided to hire a couple of entertainers that they knew the mom wouldn’t be a fan of. Below, you’ll find the full story, as well as conversations with the author and the wedding expert behind Modern MOH, Megan.
An important aspect of wedding etiquette is wearing appropriate attire to the celebration
Image credits: negratomasin (not the actual photo)
So when one groom’s mother decided to wear white, a friend of the bride called in two drag queens to steal the show
Image credits: negratomasin (not the actual photo
Image credits: negratomasina
“When the mother-in-law met me, she was super offensive”
To learn even more about this situation, we got in touch with the Reddit user who shared this story, Negratomasina. They were kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and discuss why they decided to tell this story now.
“I always wanted to share it, but never knew where,” the author noted. “I’m kinda new on Reddit, and then I found Charlotte’s channel, which I thought was perfect because of her MIL’S flare.”
We were also curious about how the OP’s relationship with her mother-in-law is today. “They’re okay. As I said in one comment, ‘Clara’ doesn’t mention her MIL much now. Back in the day, before the wedding, Clara would constantly complain about MIL’s antics,” she shared.
However, the author did have a story to share of when they encountered the mother-in-law for the first time. “When [she] met me, she was super offensive. Clara is tall, works out, had the breast implants (removed them a few years later). And I am short, more round,” they explained. “Not attractive the way she is. MIL said, ‘Well, you do choose your friends, so you can always stand out.’ So yeah, MIL went straight to my ‘f*** this b****’ list right away.”
So would Negratomasina recommend that other couples hire drag queens to perform at their wedding? “Well, they are great entertainers. Many people would probably dislike it, but it’s not up to the guests anyway,” they told Bored Panda.
The author also said they really enjoyed reading through the comments on their post. “I like the fact that many people found it as relieving.”
“Wearing white as a guest, even shades like cream or ivory, can feel tone-deaf or attention-seeking”
While wedding etiquette can vary widely from culture to culture, if you’re attending a wedding in your own country, you probably understand exactly what’s expected of you. Show up on time with a present in hand looking your best, don’t drink too much at the reception, don’t cause any drama or steal the show, and do everything you can to support the happy couple. Oh yeah, and don’t wear white.
To find out more about this topic, we were also lucky enough to get in touch with wedding expert and creator of Modern MOH, Megan.
“Traditionally, white is the bride’s signature color—it’s meant to symbolize purity and new beginnings—and it should be hers alone on the big day,” Megan shared. “This tradition started with Queen Victoria, and wearing white as a guest can feel like stealing someone’s thunder.”
“On a practical level, white naturally draws your eye in photos and creates visual competition. When guests wear white, it gets confusing figuring out who the actual bride is from across the room,” the expert continued. “Etiquette experts agree: wearing white as a guest, even shades like cream or ivory, can feel tone-deaf or attention-seeking.”
“Unless the couple explicitly says ‘wear white,’ it’s safest to respect the tradition and let the bride have her spotlight moment,” Megan added.
Image credits: Min An (not the actual photo)
“Ask the couple about any color preferences or restrictions, and coordinate with the mother of the bride”
So what should the mother of the groom be wearing? “Mothers of the groom actually have more flexibility than people think, but there are definitely some smart guidelines,” the expert noted. “Dress with elegance and confidence, choosing sophisticated colors like navy, burgundy, emerald, blush, or even a beautiful floral print.”
“Definitely avoid white, ivory, cream, or champagne—those are all bride territory. Think flattering cuts like midi lace dresses, chic jumpsuits, or classic evening gowns, with lengths from cocktail to floor-length depending on the venue’s formality,” Megan continued.
“Most importantly, ask the couple about any color preferences or restrictions, and coordinate with the mother of the bride—you should complement each other without looking like you planned matching outfits,” the wedding expert shared. “Some brides actually love when their families coordinate with the wedding palette.”
“The goal is to look polished and celebration-worthy without upstaging anyone, while choosing something that makes you feel fabulous,” she added.
So what’s the appropriate response if someone shows up wearing white? “This is where it gets tricky because you’re balancing keeping the peace with protecting the bride’s day,” Megan noted. “In most cases, the bride should be shielded from this drama entirely—she’s got enough on her plate.”
Image credits: George Chambers (not the actual photo)
“When someone chooses to wear white knowing it’ll cause problems, they’re telling you everything you need to know about their priorities”
“If it’s an honest mistake, a gentle heads-up from the maid of honor, a bridesmaid or wedding planner works: ‘Hey, you look gorgeous, but do you have a jacket or pashmina? We’re trying to keep white reserved for the bride today.’ Keep it kind, quiet, and solution-oriented, as publicly shaming someone only amplifies the awkward,” the expert suggested.
However, if it’s clearly intentional, you might need backup. “Having someone on standby with a wrap, jacket, or even an ‘accidental’ red wine situation isn’t unheard of in wedding planning circles,” Megan revealed. “Etiquette is about protecting everyone’s moment, not starting a fashion intervention that steals the bride’s spotlight.”
Finally, the expert noted that weddings are emotional, glamorous, and often unfiltered days. “But remember: it’s a celebration of them, not a runway for you. Let the bride glimmer in white, and the rest of us can shine in our favorite complementary shades,” she told Bored Panda. “Thoughtful attire doesn’t dim you, it dignifies you. And it keeps the focus exactly where it belongs: on love, not the look.”
“The drag queen solution from this story? Honestly brilliant,” Megan says. “Sometimes when someone’s being deliberately disrespectful, you need to fight drama with bigger, better drama. Those queens probably made sure everyone knew exactly who the real stars of the show were, and they gave the bride an unforgettable story to tell for years.”
“The bottom line is this: weddings bring out people’s true colors. When someone chooses to wear white knowing it’ll cause problems, they’re telling you everything you need to know about their priorities,” the expert says. “Smart couples and their support teams often have an idea of these situations ahead of time and can plan for it. Unfortunately, they’re more common than anyone wants to admit.”
Later, the author responded to several comments and shared more details about the situation
Many readers applauded the friend for their brilliant plan
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Hope OP had the wedding photographer alter the color of the MIL’s gown and “veil” in the pictures to something like black or candy apple red. Something to make her look like she’s attending an Addams Family wedding.
That's mildly demonic and I totally approve 😂 I'm not one for gaslighting under normally circumstances, but in this case, it would be totally appropriate to consistently and adamantly claim that she looked exactly like she did in the pictures. Get as many people from the wedding in on it as possible, then when she brings a picture of the dress, tell MIL that you're moderately concerned that she's going out and buying a white wedding dress just to make things line up with her version of events.
Load More Replies...This is pure class , I live drag queens they are hilarious straight to the point , and they take no shite whatsoever , although I wanna know where their BIG glasses of red wine were to accidentally like on purpose 😂spill all over said that inhuman monster in law , ( no idea why people had to pick on her typing either ,I managed to read the mil bit ok without making snide comments about it ) ,I wish I could have see that wedding , question is lol are Clara n Joe still together,n is mil still walking the earth ?
Hope OP had the wedding photographer alter the color of the MIL’s gown and “veil” in the pictures to something like black or candy apple red. Something to make her look like she’s attending an Addams Family wedding.
That's mildly demonic and I totally approve 😂 I'm not one for gaslighting under normally circumstances, but in this case, it would be totally appropriate to consistently and adamantly claim that she looked exactly like she did in the pictures. Get as many people from the wedding in on it as possible, then when she brings a picture of the dress, tell MIL that you're moderately concerned that she's going out and buying a white wedding dress just to make things line up with her version of events.
Load More Replies...This is pure class , I live drag queens they are hilarious straight to the point , and they take no shite whatsoever , although I wanna know where their BIG glasses of red wine were to accidentally like on purpose 😂spill all over said that inhuman monster in law , ( no idea why people had to pick on her typing either ,I managed to read the mil bit ok without making snide comments about it ) ,I wish I could have see that wedding , question is lol are Clara n Joe still together,n is mil still walking the earth ?













































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