Junior Rasmussen
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white lace dress to her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. In the 19th century, white wedding dresses became a symbol of status, purity, and innocence. However, modern wedding trends are shifting away from this tradition, with brides embracing their personal style and choosing dresses in various colours and styles that reflect their individuality. While white dresses are still popular, it is not uncommon for brides to choose off-white, red, blue, green, purple, or even black dresses for their wedding day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin of white wedding dresses | Popularised by Queen Victoria in 1840 |
| White wedding dress symbolises | Purity, innocence, new beginnings, youth, and virginity |
| White wedding dress in other cultures | In Indian and Chinese weddings, brides traditionally wear red |
| White wedding dress in ancient times | In ancient Athens, red and violet were popular colours for wedding dresses |
| Wedding dresses before the 19th century | Brides wore their best dress, regardless of colour, and would wear it again after the wedding |
| Wedding dress colour in the Middle Ages | Wedding dresses were meant to reflect a bride's social standing and were made of lush fabrics in rich colours |
| White wedding dress in modern times | Most dresses are ivory-coloured, which gives a warmer effect |
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What You'll Learn
The history of white wedding dresses
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress to her wedding with Prince Albert in 1840. Before Queen Victoria, royal brides wore wedding dresses in 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, who was a fashion-lover, chose to make a statement with her non-traditional dress and flower crown. The dress was made from Spitalfields cream silk-satin with a flounce of Honiton lace at the neck and sleeves. It featured a slim waist, a full crinoline petticoat, and lace embellishments—a silhouette that is still considered the 'classic' wedding dress shape in the West today.
As accounts of Victoria's wedding spread across the Atlantic and throughout Europe, fashionable people followed her lead. By 1849, women's magazines were already proclaiming that white was not just the best colour for a wedding dress, but that it had always been the most appropriate choice. In a bit of revisionist history, Godey's Lady's Book announced that:
> "Custom has decided, from the earliest ages, that white is the most fitting hue [for brides], whatever may be the material. It is an emblem of the purity and innocence of girlhood, and the unsullied heart she now yields to the chosen one."
The white dress became a symbol of status and wealth, as well as purity and innocence. However, it would take a few more decades for white wedding dresses to become popular among middle-class brides in Europe and the US. During this time, many women simply wore the nicest dress they owned on their wedding day. It was only after World War II, with increased prosperity and cheaper clothing production, that the white, single-use wedding dress became standard.
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, where she wore an elaborate white taffeta dress with an 8-metre train.
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The meaning of wearing white
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 wore a variety of colours, including blue, yellow, black, brown, and grey. Debutantes had long been required to wear white court dresses and long white gloves for their first presentation at court, and Queen Victoria's choice of a white wedding dress was also influenced by her desire to support the British lace industry.
The white wedding dress became a symbol of wealth and status, as white fabric was expensive and difficult to maintain. It also carried religious significance, particularly within Christian traditions, where the colour white is associated with purity and innocence. In colour psychology, white is the colour of new beginnings, representing a blank canvas.
In the 20th century, the mass production of wedding dresses enabled many American and European brides to afford white dresses. However, during the Depression Period, brides returned to wearing non-white dresses, and it was only in the post-war decades that white dresses became fashionable again. The white wedding dress remains a beloved choice for many brides today, although modern wedding trends are redefining this tradition, with brides embracing their personal styles and opting for colours that resonate with them.
Although the white wedding dress is typically associated with the bride, there have been instances where guests have been invited to wear white to a wedding. For example, a bride who wore a fuchsia dress asked all her guests to wear white, resulting in striking photos. In other cases, destination weddings with beach settings may encourage guests to wear light-coloured clothing, including white.
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White dresses for wedding guests
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is commonly associated with Queen Victoria, who wore a white lace dress to her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. However, Mary, Queen of Scots, wore a white wedding gown earlier, in 1559, when she married her first husband, Francis Dauphin of France. The white wedding dress became popular among elite brides on both sides of the Atlantic by the end of the 19th century.
While white wedding dresses are a popular choice for brides, the question of whether wedding guests can wear white is more nuanced. Traditionally, it has been considered taboo for guests to wear white to a wedding, as it is the colour typically worn by the bride. However, modern wedding trends are evolving, and there are now more options for brides who want to break with tradition.
That being said, if you're considering wearing a white dress as a wedding guest, it's essential to use your discretion and consider the specific circumstances. Wedding guests should generally avoid wearing long, lacy white dresses or anything that could be confused with a bridal gown. Floor-length or full-skirted white dresses, in particular, should be avoided by guests. If the wedding has a specific dress code, such as cocktail attire, a knee-length pale blush or ice blue dress could be appropriate, as long as it doesn't resemble a wedding dress.
In certain cases, wearing white as a wedding guest may be encouraged. For example, at destination weddings with a beach setting, light-coloured clothing, including white, is often suitable. In such cases, it is important to look for an indication from the couple on the invitation, wedding website, or through direct communication. If you're still unsure, you can add a pop of colour with accessories or choose a dress with a large-scale print that includes white but is not predominantly white.
Ultimately, the decision to wear a white dress as a wedding guest depends on the specific context and your relationship with the couple. If you're unsure, it's always best to err on the side of caution and choose a different colour to avoid upstaging the bride or causing any discomfort.
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White dresses in non-Western cultures
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is rooted in Western culture and Christian traditions. It is believed that the custom originated with Queen Victoria, who wore a white satin and lace gown when she married Prince Albert in 1840. White wedding dresses were popularised by Victorian era elites and symbolised wealth, status, and purity. However, this trend was largely limited to elite brides until after World War II, when middle-class brides also began to adopt the tradition.
In non-Western cultures, the colour and style of wedding dresses vary significantly. For example, red wedding dresses are a tradition in some Asian cultures, such as ancient China during the Zhou Dynasty, where black wedding dresses with red trim were also worn. In Western Europe, royal brides before Queen Victoria often chose heavy brocaded gowns embroidered with white and silver thread, with red being a particularly popular colour. Similarly, European and American brides before the Victorian era wore a variety of colours, including blue, yellow, black, brown, and grey.
The influence of Western wedding traditions, including the white wedding dress, has spread globally, and many cultures have adopted this iconic garment in different forms. However, modern bridal trends are moving away from the traditional white dress, even in Western cultures. Brides today are embracing their personal style and opting for colours and styles that resonate with them, such as soft blush, bold red, or even striking black. Bridal shops now offer a wide array of options, allowing brides to find a gown that reflects their individuality and unique wedding vision.
While the white wedding dress remains a strong symbol in Western bridal traditions, modern practices have evolved to include a more personalised approach to bridal attire. Brides are encouraged to explore different colours and fabrics, ensuring that their choice feels right for their special day. This shift towards personal expression extends beyond the bride's dress to influence the attire of bridesmaids and even wedding guests.
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Alternatives to white wedding dresses
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is rooted in the 19th century when Queen Victoria wore a white lace dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. The white wedding style was further popularised in 1981 when Princess Diana wore a white taffeta dress with an 8-metre train.
However, modern wedding trends are moving away from this tradition, with brides embracing their personal style and opting for colours that resonate with them. Bridal shops now offer a wide array of options, allowing brides to find a gown that reflects their individuality.
- Soft blush: A soft blush gown can be a beautiful alternative to a traditional white dress. Blush has pinkish hues that can complement a wide range of skin tones.
- Bold red: Red is a traditional wedding dress colour in Asian cultures and can be a striking choice for a non-traditional bride.
- Black: Black wedding dresses have been a part of some cultural traditions, such as in ancient China, where they were trimmed with red. A black wedding dress can be a bold and modern choice.
- Blue: Millennial blue, sky blue, or shades of blue with floral lace overlays are some options for brides wanting to incorporate this colour.
- Green: A green wedding dress can be a unique choice, reflecting a free-spirited and nature-inspired theme.
- Purple: A purple wedding dress can be a regal and elegant alternative to the traditional white.
These days, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to wedding attire. Brides are encouraged to explore different colours and fabrics to find a dress that feels right for them and their special day.
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Frequently asked questions
No, white dresses are not only for first weddings. While older brides and second-time brides were discouraged from wearing white in the past, nowadays anyone can wear a white wedding dress.
White wedding dresses were popularised by Queen Victoria, who wore a white lace dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. White symbolises purity, innocence, new beginnings, youth, and virginity.
Queen Victoria chose to wear a non-traditional dress and flower crown for her wedding to Prince Albert. She was fashion-loving and intent on making a statement.
No, it took several decades for white wedding dresses to become popular among middle-class brides in Europe and the US. Brides often wore their wedding dress several times during their lifetime, so they chose a colour that could be worn again.
Wedding guests are usually discouraged from wearing white, as it is traditionally the bride's colour. However, some modern exceptions exist, such as when the couple specifically requests that guests wear white.
