Junior Rasmussen
The white wedding dress is a tradition that is believed to have originated with Anne of Brittany, who wore white when she married Louis XII of France in 1499. However, it was Queen Victoria who popularised the white wedding dress when she wore a white court dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. The white dress was a departure from the gold or silver gowns typically worn by royal brides and quickly became a status symbol, with only the wealthy able to afford the expensive fabric. Over time, the white wedding dress came to symbolise purity, virginity, youth, innocence, and new beginnings, though these meanings vary across cultures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour psychology | New beginnings, a blank canvas, a clean slate |
| Religious rites | High religious commitment, purity |
| Symbolism | Purity, innocence, virginity, youth, new beginnings |
| Status symbol | Wealth, conspicuous consumption, leisure class |
| Tradition | Respect for customs and values passed down through the family |
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What You'll Learn
White wedding dresses symbolise purity and innocence
The white wedding dress has long been a symbol of purity and innocence, with the tradition being popularised by Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress for her wedding in 1840. This was a significant departure from the colourful wedding dresses that were more common in Western societies, where practicality was often a factor in dress choice.
The white dress became a status symbol, with only the wealthy able to afford a silk gown and the elaborate venues that could showcase its purity. The veil, too, took on a new meaning in the Victorian era, becoming a symbol of status, with the weight, length and quality of the veil indicating the bride's position in society.
The white wedding style was further popularised by Diana Spencer's wedding to Charles, Prince of Wales, in 1981, which was watched by 750 million people. While white dresses may have initially been a way for brides to emulate the young, attractive queen, the colour white has taken on a life of its own in wedding culture, becoming a symbol of new beginnings and a way for the bride to connect with her family history and respect traditions.
However, it is important to note that the white wedding dress tradition varies across cultures, with brightly coloured dresses being the norm in many Middle Eastern, African and South American countries, and white being the colour of mourning in India and China.
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White is a symbol of new beginnings
The tradition of wearing white wedding dresses is often credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. Prior to this, wedding dresses were typically of various colours and brides often wore their best dress or bought a dress that could be worn again.
White wedding dresses quickly became a status symbol, with only the wealthy able to wear white silk gowns, removed from the "muck and grime of life" during the mid-19th century Industrial Age. The colour white also carried a connotation of innocence and virginal purity. In colour psychology, white is the colour of new beginnings, a blank canvas waiting to be written on. It is the colour in Western culture most associated with beginnings.
The tradition of wearing white wedding dresses was further popularised by Diana Spencer, who wore an elaborate white taffeta dress when she married Charles, Prince of Wales, in 1981. This was watched by 750 million people and further cemented the idea of wearing white on one's wedding day.
Today, the tradition of wearing white on one's wedding day is about more than just purity. It is also a symbol of new beginnings, a way for the bride to blend the new chapter she is starting with her family history, creating an emotional connection to the past. It is also a symbol of respect for the customs and values passed down through the family.
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White dresses were a way to show wealth
The tradition of wearing white wedding dresses is often attributed to Queen Victoria, who wore a white gown when she married Prince Albert in 1840. Prior to this, wedding dresses were typically of various colours, with brides opting for the best dress they already owned or a new dress that could be worn again.
White wedding dresses quickly became a status symbol, with only the wealthy able to afford a white silk gown. The colour white was also a way to show that the bride's family was part of the leisure class, as the dress could be easily ruined by any sort of work or spill. The bridal industry promoted the idea of expensive floor-length gowns that would only be worn once, maximising profits.
The white wedding dress also carried connotations of purity, innocence, and new beginnings. This symbolism was further emphasised by the resurgence of the wedding veil, which was seen as a symbol of the bride's modesty and purity. The combination of the white dress and veil created a powerful image that soon became popular among brides, especially those from wealthy backgrounds.
The white wedding style received another boost in 1981 when Lady Diana Spencer wore an elaborate white taffeta dress for her wedding to Prince Charles, which was watched by 750 million people worldwide. While the tradition of wearing white has evolved to symbolise different things, it remains a popular choice for brides today, with 83% of brides wearing white dresses on their wedding day in 2018.
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White dresses were impractical and not suitable for repeat wear
The tradition of wearing white wedding dresses is often attributed to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. Prior to this, wedding dresses were typically of various colours and brides often wore their best dress or bought a dress that could be worn again.
The white wedding dress became a status symbol, with only the wealthy able to afford a white silk gown. The colour white was also associated with purity and innocence, and the bridal industry promoted the idea of an expensive, once-in-a-lifetime dress to maximise profits. This shift towards a single-use dress was also influenced by the limitations of laundering techniques, as a white dress could be easily ruined by any sort of work or spill.
The resurgence of the wedding veil, which coincided with societal expectations of modesty and well-behaved women, further contributed to the symbolism of purity and innocence associated with the white wedding dress. The white wedding style was further popularised by Princess Diana's wedding to Charles, Prince of Wales, in 1981, which was watched by 750 million people.
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White wedding dresses are a tradition that began with Queen Victoria
The tradition of wearing white wedding dresses is often attributed to Queen Victoria, who, in 1840, married Prince Albert while wearing a white court dress. In her journal, Queen Victoria described her dress as follows:
> I wore a white satin gown with a very deep flounce of Honiton lace, imitation of old. I wore my Turkish diamond necklace and earrings, and Albert’s beautiful sapphire brooch.
Before Queen Victoria's wedding, white was a distinctly uncommon choice for bridal gowns, and it was common for wedding dresses to come in a variety of colours. White dresses were not popular as they were exceedingly difficult to keep clean. As such, white outfits were viewed as a sign of wealth. In fact, Julia Baird writes in "Victoria The Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire" that:
> Victoria had chosen to wear white mostly because it was the perfect color to highlight the delicate lace... Before bleaching techniques were mastered, white was a rare and expensive color, more a symbol of wealth than purity.
Following Queen Victoria's wedding, white wedding dresses quickly became the norm. 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.
It is important to note that while white has long been associated with purity and virtue in many societies, and is often used in religious rites to express high religious commitment and purity, this was not the sole reason why Queen Victoria wore white.
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Frequently asked questions
The colour white has long been associated with purity and virtue in many societies, and that is one reason why some brides choose to wear white.
No, wedding dresses were not always white. In the 1700s, white was fashionable for dresses of all kinds, including some wedding gowns.
White wedding dresses became popular in 1840 when Queen Victoria wore a white dress for her wedding to Prince Albert.
Before white wedding dresses became popular, gold or silver wedding gowns were worn by royal women. Non-royal brides often borrowed aristocratic styles, such as trains and crowns.
Apart from purity and innocence, white wedding dresses also symbolise new beginnings, youth, and virginity. In colour psychology, white is the colour of a new beginning—a blank canvas waiting to be written on.
