Reality star accused of upstaging bride with ‘too close to white’ gown at son’s wedding
Dolores Catania, a cast member of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” attended her son Frank Catania Jr.’s wedding in Portugal wearing a pale‑blue, heavily embellished gown that sparked a heated discussion online. The ceremony, which united Frank with Nicole Perricho, took place earlier this month in a venue overlooking the Atlantic.
Photos posted by Catania showed her in a dress that many observers described as hovering between white and a very light blue. The image quickly landed on the BravoRealHousewives subreddit, where a thread titled “Dolores wore white to her son’s wedding” gathered hundreds of comments. Some users accused her of trying to upstage the bride, with one commenter writing, “Of course she did. She wanted to upstage the bride…”, while another remarked, “She’s already the ‘TV personality,’ the least she could do is try to dress subtle and keep a low profile to give the girl her day. But alas, monster‑in‑law it is.” Others said they expected nothing less from her, and a few simply called the look “not a good look.”
Defenders of Catania argued that the garment was not white at all, noting hints of green or silver in the fabric. One Reddit user wrote, “It looks like it has a hint of green, but here’s my thing, WHY do you need to wear something so close to white on this day? Any other color isn’t good enough at someone else’s wedding?” Another countered, “It wasn’t white, it was like a light blue,” adding that pale shades can photograph as white under certain lighting. A further comment suggested the dress appeared silver, prompting a reply that, as an experienced television personality, Catania should be aware of how her attire translates on camera and that she “wanted the limelight, end of story.”
The debate touches on longstanding wedding‑guest etiquette. Traditionally, guests are advised to avoid white or anything that could be mistaken for the bride’s attire, a rule that gained prominence after Queen Victoria’s 1840 white satin wedding dress popularized the color for bridal wear. Before that, Western brides wore a variety of hues, often re‑using their best dress. The Emily Post Institute notes that while choosing a non‑white dress is not a breach of etiquette, such a choice can still draw attention away from the couple or upset older guests who hold to the tradition.
Practical guidance from wedding‑planning site The Knot recommends that guests consult the couple’s wedding website for the official palette and check the invitation for any dress‑code instructions. Etiquette expert Diane Gottsman adds that metallic tones like gold can be suitable for mothers of the bride, provided the outfit does not resemble the bride’s gown and the bride herself approves.
As the conversation continues across social media, the incident highlights how fashion choices at family celebrations can quickly become a focal point for public commentary, blending personal style with long‑held customs.