Rhiannon Hendricks
The white wedding dress is a symbol of the Christian wedding, with white representing purity and innocence. The tradition is largely confined to Western Christians, with many Eastern weddings using red wedding dresses as red is considered a colour of good luck. The white wedding style was popularised by Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. While the colour white is often associated with Christian weddings, it is not a requirement, and modern brides are increasingly adding colour to their dresses or opting for non-white dresses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Symbolism | Innocence, purity, status, wealth |
| Religious association | Christian, Catholic |
| Geographic association | Western |
| Colour variations | Cream-white, white with colour |
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What You'll Learn
The white wedding dress tradition
The white wedding dress is a tradition that is largely confined to Western Christians. Eastern weddings, such as those in India, use red wedding dresses as red is associated with good luck. White, in these cultures, is a colour of mourning.
White dresses also provided an opportunity for conspicuous consumption. They were favoured primarily as a way to show that the bride's family was wealthy and firmly part of the leisure class—the bride would choose an elaborate dress that could be easily ruined by any sort of work or spill. By the end of the 19th century, the white dress was the garment of choice for elite brides on both sides of the Atlantic. However, middle-class British and American brides did not adopt the trend fully until after World War II.
The white dress has also become a symbol of purity and innocence, qualities that some Christians find important in brides. The colour white is often used to express high religious commitment and purity. In colour psychology, white is the colour of new beginnings, purity, and virginity.
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Symbolism of the white wedding dress
The white wedding dress is often associated with Christian weddings and is regarded as a symbol of purity, innocence, and virginity. The tradition of wearing white at weddings is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress to her wedding with Prince Albert in 1840. Before this, brides simply wore their best dress, which could be of any colour.
The white wedding dress was given another significant boost in 1981, when 750 million people watched the wedding of Diana Spencer and Charles, Prince of Wales, where Diana wore an elaborate white taffeta dress with an 8-metre train.
In ancient times, red and violet were popular colours for wedding dresses in Athens, while medieval brides often wore colourful dresses. In 17th-century Spain, black was a popular choice as it was the most expensive and prestigious dye available.
In addition to its association with purity and innocence, the white wedding dress has also been regarded as a symbol of status and wealth. White dresses were favoured by the wealthy as a way to show that the bride's family was so firmly part of the leisure class that she could choose an elaborate dress that would be ruined by any sort of work or spill.
In some cultures, white is associated with mourning and is considered inauspicious for weddings. In Indian and Chinese weddings, for example, brides traditionally wear red, which is considered a more auspicious and celebratory colour.
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White wedding dress in different cultures
The white wedding dress is a tradition that is largely confined to Western Christians. The tradition is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress when she married Prince Albert in 1840. Debutantes were required to wear white court dresses for their first presentation at court, and white dresses were already popular for royal weddings, but it was Queen Victoria's wedding that started the white wedding dress trend.
White wedding dresses were also popularised by Princess Philippa, who wore a white tunic to her wedding to King Eric in 1406, and Mary, Queen of Scots, who wore white when she married the soon-to-be King of France in 1558. However, white was a colour of mourning for French queens at the time, so it is unlikely that the colour was chosen to symbolise purity.
The white wedding dress became a symbol of status, as well as a way to communicate the bride's purity and innocence. In the Victorian era, it was particularly important for brides to appear pure and innocent, and this idea was further cemented by the white gowns Catholic girls wear during their First Communion and Christening.
In other cultures, wedding dresses are often very different. For example, in Japan, brides often wear several kimonos of different colours throughout the day, while in the Andes, the bride usually creates a multi-layered dress to showcase her weaving skills. In India, there is a ban on bridal-produced embroidery in dowries, and in Morocco, Berber brides wear binding clothing that covers their faces. In China, during the Tang Dynasty, it was fashionable for brides to wear green, and this fashion influence can still be seen in some traditional Japanese and Korean bridal fashions. Finally, in Eastern weddings, red is often the colour of choice, as it is associated with good luck.
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History of the white wedding dress
The white wedding dress is commonly associated with Christian weddings and is often seen as a symbol of purity and innocence. The tradition of wearing white at weddings is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress to marry Prince Albert in 1840. Before Queen Victoria, royal brides wore a variety of colours, with red being a particularly popular choice in Western Europe. Debutantes had long been required to wear white court dresses for their first presentation at court, and Queen Victoria's choice of a white wedding dress set a new trend.
As accounts of Victoria's wedding spread across the Atlantic and throughout Europe, fashionable people followed her lead. By 1849, women's magazines were proclaiming that white was not only the best colour for a wedding dress but that it had always been the most appropriate choice. The trend caught on, and Queen Victoria's 1840s-style wedding dress—with its slim waist, lace, and full nineteenth-century skirt over petticoats and crinolines—is still considered the classic wedding dress silhouette in the West today.
The white wedding style received another significant boost in 1981 when 750 million people watched the wedding of Diana Spencer to Charles, Prince of Wales. Diana wore an elaborate white taffeta dress with an 8-metre train, further cementing the idea of the white wedding in popular culture.
It is important to note that the tradition of wearing white at weddings is not universal, even within Christian weddings. Many Eastern weddings use red wedding dresses as red is considered a colour of good luck. Similarly, an Indian Christian bride is unlikely to wear white, instead opting for a red sari.
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Alternatives to the white wedding dress
The white wedding dress has been a staple of Christian weddings since Queen Victoria wore a white court dress to marry Prince Albert in 1840. The white dress was already a symbol of status and purity, and Queen Victoria's choice further cemented the idea that white wedding gowns were for innocent brides.
However, the tradition of wearing white is largely confined to Western Christians. Many Eastern weddings use red wedding dresses as red is considered a lucky colour. In some cultures, white is a mourning colour, so a bride is more likely to wear a colourful dress, such as a red sari.
Today, an increasing number of brides are adding colour to their dresses or choosing to forgo white altogether. Alternative colours include blush, gold, rose gold, blue, purple, and grey. Some brides are also choosing gothic lace, 3D flowers, or colourful embroidery.
Ultimately, the choice of wedding dress is a personal one, and brides should feel free to express their individuality and personal style rather than worry about outdated customs.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not a requirement for Christian brides to wear white. However, it has become a symbol of Christian weddings and is often associated with purity and innocence.
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is commonly attributed to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress to her wedding with Prince Albert in 1840. Debutantes were already required to wear white court dresses for their first presentation at court.
White wedding dresses are often associated with purity and innocence. The colour white is also said to symbolise the "unsullied heart" of the bride, who now yields it to her chosen partner.
Yes, in Eastern Christian weddings, red is the colour traditionally worn by brides as it symbolises good luck. White is typically a mourning colour in these cultures.
