Geri Halliwell-Horner's bridal look for Melanie C's Lake District wedding over the weekend has left fans gobsmacked.

The former Spice Girl, 53, divided opinion online after people questioned her decision to wear what looked to be a romantic, flowing white dress for her friend and former bandmate's big day.

While Ginger Spice's wardrobe is dominated by the colour, some felt Geri should have picked a different frock for Mel C and Chris Dingwall's nuptials at The Country House in Cumbria on Sunday.

But the singer isn't the only celebrity that's risked breaking the cardinal rule of weddings: that white is only for the bride.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Lisa Talbot said: 'I think if a dress is predominantly white, even with a pattern it can still feel risky.

'If there's any chance it could resemble bridalwear in photographs, I would avoid it. There are so many other beautiful colours to wear as a guest.'

From Hailey Bieber and Victoria Beckham to the always immaculately dressed Princess of Wales, the celebrities and royals alike have previously picked 'risky' ensembles, according to the fashion expert.

Geri Halliwell 

Geri at the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey this year. She is frequently pictured wearing white

Geri picked a cream outfit with a delicate floral pattern for Mel C's big day, as seen in a photograph published by British Vogue.

In the snap, Sporty Spice was flanked by her former bandmates, including Geri, Emma Bunton, and Melanie Brown as she beamed with joy after saying 'I do' to long-time boyfriend Chris Dingwall over the weekend.

However, Geri's ensemble raised eyebrows even though she frequently wears white.

Geri opted for a bridal-esque midi when she attended Royal Ascot with her husband Christian Horner last month.

The 53-year-old turned heads in a fitted white lace dress with a frilly hem and puffed sleeves as the couple put on a united front amid claims the former Spice Girl was mourning her life as an F1 WAG after her spouse's brutal firing as Red Bull team principal last July.

However, fans felt that Geri could have picked a different colour for her close friend and former bandmate's Lake District wedding, with one person writing 'white is only for the bride'.

Writing on Mumsnet, one person said the floor-length gown veered on being inappropriate, adding: '[Not wearing white] is a sign of respect, not about being mistaken for the bride. If you and your friends don’t care then crack on, but there’s nothing wrong with brides who don’t want other women wearing white to their wedding.'

Reacting to the photo of Mel C, Geri and Emma, and Melanie Brown, another said: 'I actually really thought she wouldn't do that.'

Others defended Geri, writing that the floral-patterned frock 'looks nothing like a bridal gown'.

Molly-Mae Hague 

The influencer's decision to wear a bridal-inspired gown for her manager Francesca Britton's wedding was less enthusiastically received

While Molly-Mae Hague's fashion choices typically lead to sold-out collections and high street imitations, the influencer's decision to wear a bridal-inspired gown for her manager Francesca Britton's wedding was less enthusiastically received.

The former Love Island star divided fans with the form-fitting, white lace dress that she chose for Francesca's Caribbean wedding in 2023.

After Molly-Mae, then 24, shared photos from Francesca's big day - which she attended with her partner Tommy Fury and their daughter Bambi - several of her followers questioned whether her all-white ensemble was appropriate considering the colour is reserved for brides.

However, others were quick to point out that it appeared Francesca had chosen her bridesmaids' dresses, with one person writing 'many other girls wore the same exact' outfit.

Lana Del Rey 

Lana Del Rey's frilly frock for Margaret Qualley's wedding to music producer Jack Antonoff was a risky choice

While not strictly white, Lana Del Rey's party dress for Margaret Qualley and Jack Antonoff's seaside wedding in 2023 was still an unconventional choice. 

The songstress, whose work with music producer Jack includes the hit single A\&W, swung by the festivities in New Jersey in a thigh-skimming pink and white dress, which she paired with a sky blue bag and pink platform sandals. 

Hailey Bieber

Hailey Bieber attended Stephanie Shepherd's 2023 wedding in a backless dress that many felt broke the dress code for guests

Hailey Bieber's fans were less than impressed when the model turned up wearing white for her friend Stephanie Shepherd's wedding in 2023. 

Kim Kardashian's former assistant Stephanie married Larry Jackson during a star-studded ceremony in Beverly Hills, with several members of the Kardashian clan in attendance. 

However, Hailey stood out in a long-sleeve, backless dress that many felt broke the dress code for wedding guests. 

Writing under Hailey's Instagram photos at the time, one person asked: 'Isn't it against wedding law to wear anything close to white to a wedding? 

'I'm not even hating, but it's a huge yikes...'  

The Princess of Wales 

Attending the nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel in 2018, she chose a £2,390 coat dress by Alexander McQueen (pictured), in an ultra-pale lemon hue that was almost indistinguishable from the white bridesmaid’s dress worn by  Princess Charlotte

When it comes to dressing for high-profile occasions, most would agree that the Princess of Wales never puts a foot wrong.

So her decision to wear a light-coloured dress for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding at St George's Chapel in 2018 was confusing for many.

The Princess repurposed her £2,390 coat dress by Alexander McQueen, in an ultra-pale lemon hue that was almost indistinguishable from the white bridesmaid’s dress worn by her daughter, Princess Charlotte.

That it was also too close to the bride Meghan Markle’s white Givenchy wedding gown for comfort may or may not have been another bone of contention between the allegedly fractious pair.

However, Kate's decision was less likely to be a sartorial misstep, according to fashion expert Laura Craik.

Writing in the Daily Mail, Ms Craik noted: 'A more likely theory is that, like many guests, she gravitates towards off-white shades knowing they are a failsafe way to look smart and seasonally appropriate at a summer wedding.

Princess Diana

Princess Diana wears a bridal white dress and matching ivory heels for her brother Charles Spencer's wedding to his first wife Victoria Aitken in September 1989

Even the royals have been known to go against the tradition of guests avoiding white to ensure the focus remains on the bride.

When Princess Diana attended her brother Charles Spencer's wedding to his first wife Victoria Aitken in September 1989, her dress made headlines as she chose to wear a white frock with matching ivory heels and a hat.

To tone down the outfit's bridal quality, Diana paired it with a slightly darker jacket as she attended the high-profile event with her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.

Ms Talbot added: 'White is still the colour that causes the most controversy.

'Ultimately, the best wedding guest style is polished, respectful and appropriate for the setting.'

Victoria Beckham 

Victoria Beckham stirred up intense debate among her fans when she stepped out in a white satin gown for ex-British Vogue editor Edward Enninful's pre-wedding festivities in 2022

The former Spice Girl opted for a patterned midi dress with quarter-length sleeves as she attended the wedding of footballer Sergio Ramos and Spanish TV presenter Pilar Rubio in 2019.

While wearing white is seen as a strict fashion faux pas for wedding guests, Victoria Beckham opted for a patterned midi dress with quarter-length sleeves as she attended the wedding of footballer Sergio Ramos and Spanish TV presenter Pilar Rubio in 2019.

Perhaps in an attempt to draw attention away from her fashion rebellion, Victoria - who attended the nuptials with her husband David,  opted for a pair of hot pink heels, which certainly made the look appear less bridal.

Three years later, she stirred up intense debate among her fans when she stepped out in a white satin gown for a close friend's pre-wedding festivities.

Victoria ensured she was the centre of attention as the start of wedding and birthday celebrations for British Vogue's former editor-in-chief Edward Enninful.

Posh Spice opted for a bridal-inspired silk gown, featuring delicate straps and lace detailing, for the glam ball ahead of his Wiltshire wedding to long-term partner Alec Maxwell in 2022.