black sheath dress Herve Leger Icon Mini Dress, L Length approx Anne Klein Women's Sleeveless Sheath

A sleek black and white cocktail dress can be just as appropriate for a black-tie wedding as it is for a funeral service, while a maxi length black and white dress is ideal for everything from bridal showers to family photos

The off-the-shoulder black dress Princess Diana wore is so famous it has its own nickname: "The Revenge Dress." In 1994, Princess Diana donned a velvet, off-the-shoulder minidress for an event at the Serpentine Gallery in London, England

Scroll down and well show you a few simple rules to keep in mind for a variety of black dress wedding guests

So ahead, we're diving into all the details to help you get a feel for what your perfect dress looks like