Is it still poor form to congratulate the bride instead of saying "best wishes"?

Bwwaaahhhhaaaa. People on here are so funny with how they pick and choose to comply with etiquette! So we must NEVER let anyone in the family plan a shower, allow anyone to wear any color that approximates white, off white, ecru, beige, etc., and we cannot imply that we'd like money for a gift, but we can say "Congratulations" to a bride....... Kind of like when people pick and choose what they'd like to believe/adhere to in the bible!

In answer to your question, yes, according to proper etiquette it is in poor form to say "Congratulations" to the bride. You should say "Best Wishes". To say congrats is to suggest "Congratulations you finally snagged a man" - It is in perfect form, however, to say "Congratulations" to the future groom!

Yes/No.

The rule is still acknowledged, but most people aren't offended by it being broken.

...let's keep in mind the purpose of etiquette is to avoid causing offense and etiquette does evolve.

Congratulations to the bride has the subtle implication that she finally landed a man....seems to me the implication could be extended to the groom as well even tho it's 'okay' socially that the male is the 'predatory'animal and hunter when it comes to finding a mate, and the female the prey....kinda stupid if you think about it.

I have always said " Much happiness in your new life" to both.

say what ever you want to say

as long as it is in good taste

some rules are down right stupid

It's never been poor form in the 30+ weddings I have been to in my lifetime.

Silly rules like that are what interfere with us being happy people. Say something nice and be content in that.