A: Somewhere along the way, it became an accepted tradition. But I think it has more to do with courtesy than with some major rule of social etiquette. After all, it would be impolite to appear is if you're trying to upstage the bride or compete with her for attention.

Here's what you can do: Describe your planned outfit to the bride and ask if she would mind if you wore it. If she doesn't mind, you're good to go. She may be planning to wear a different shade of white, or perhaps not white at all.

However, if she says she'd rather you not, or if she seems at all bothered by the idea of your wearing white, you should find another color to wear. I'm sure you'd want to avoid intentionally doing anything that might make her uncomfortable on her big day.