Franklin Dean
The white wedding dress has been a staple in bridal fashion since Queen Victoria wore a white gown to marry Prince Albert in 1840. The white dress was popularised by Victorian elites, and it soon became a symbol of status and purity. However, in recent years, the bridal fashion landscape has evolved, with brides embracing new trends and colours. While white wedding dresses remain a classic choice, they are no longer the only option, and some modern brides opt for different colours and styles that better reflect their personalities and skin tones.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Popularised by Queen Victoria in 1840 |
| Colour Symbolism | Purity and virginity |
| Traditional Alternative | Blue |
| Modern Alternatives | Ivory, champagne, moscato, cream, nude, blush |
| Cultural Alternatives | Red in China and India; colourful in Ghana and Nigeria |
| Popularity | Less popular than before |
| Other Colours Worn by Celebrities | Pink, pale grey, black, lavender |
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What You'll Learn
The history of white wedding dresses
The white wedding dress is commonly associated with purity and innocence. However, this association is a relatively modern concept that was popularised by Queen Victoria in 1840. Before the standardisation of white wedding dresses in the West, brides wore a variety of colours, including blue, yellow, black, brown, and grey.
Although white wedding dresses are often attributed to Queen Victoria, Mary, Queen of Scots, wore a white wedding gown in 1559 for her marriage to her first husband, Francis Dauphin of France. Debutantes were also required to wear white court dresses and long white gloves for their first presentation at court.
Queen Victoria's choice of a white wedding dress was considered unconventional at the time, as royal brides typically wore "heavy brocaded gowns embroidered with white and silver thread", with red being a particularly popular colour in Western Europe. Victoria's wedding 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 classic today.
Following Queen Victoria's wedding, magazines began to proclaim that white was not only the best colour for a wedding dress but that it had always been the most appropriate choice. This trend caught on, and white wedding dresses became a symbol of status and wealth, as they were hard to maintain and keep clean.
While white wedding dresses remain popular, the bridal sphere is evolving, and new wedding fashion trends are starting to emerge. Ivory, for example, has become a popular alternative to white, as it is a close variation that does not stray too far from tradition. Other modern off-white colours include champagne, moscato, cream, nude, and blush.
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White wedding dresses in other cultures
The white wedding dress is a widely accepted form of wedding attire in Western culture. The tradition is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. However, the white wedding dress has not always been the norm, even in the West. Before Queen Victoria's wedding, brides wore their best dress, which could be in a variety of colours, including blue, yellow, black, brown, or grey.
In other parts of the world, traditional bridal attire varies significantly. Here are some examples of wedding dress traditions in different cultures:
Japanese weddings
In Japan, white was the colour of choice for bridal ensembles long before it became popular in the Western world. In a traditional Shinto ceremony, a bride wears a white kimono, often changing into several kimonos of different colours throughout her wedding day.
Chinese weddings
During the Zhou Dynasty, which ruled China some three thousand years ago, brides and grooms wore black robes with red trim, with a white undergarment. During the Tang Dynasty, it became fashionable for brides to wear green, while grooms wore red.
Indian weddings
Indian weddings often feature traditional sarees, which can come in a variety of colours and intricate designs. A white wedding dress may seem out of place in an Indian wedding, while a red dress is a more common choice.
Mexican weddings
The huipil, a garment made from lightweight cotton or linen fabric and decorated with intricate embroidery, beads, and stones, is an essential element of Mexican weddings. The colours used in these designs often include bright and vibrant reds, yellows, and blues, symbolizing luck and fortune.
South American weddings
South American wedding dresses are known for their intricate embroidery and bright colours. The fabrics used are usually lightweight cotton or silk, decorated with embroidery or sequins. The colours red, orange, and yellow symbolize joy and prosperity for the newlyweds.
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Celebrities who didn't wear white
While many celebrities have opted for the traditional white wedding dress, others have chosen to inject some colour into their bridal looks.
Elizabeth Taylor, for example, wore a yellow dress to her wedding to Richard Burton in 1964. This was her fifth wedding, and for her fourth, she wore a green dress. Another celebrity who chose to wear yellow on her wedding day was Amber Tamblyn, who married David Cross in 2012 in a marigold dress with a cream train. Similarly, the actress who wed David Cross in a low-key ceremony wore a bright marigold-hued dress and matching bouquet.
Gwen Stefani wore a pink ombre wedding gown for her 2002 wedding to singer Gavin Rossdale in London. The white bodice of the one-shouldered Christian Dior gown transitioned to a deep shade of pink in the skirt. Anne Hathaway also chose a pink wedding dress, wearing an airy Valentino gown and matching headpiece in rose pink when she married Adam Shulman in California.
Some celebrity brides have opted for darker colours, such as Chloë Sevigny, who wore a simple all-black look on her wedding day. Sarah Jessica Parker also chose a black dress, designed by Morgane Le Fay, for her wedding to Matthew Broderick. Moore wore a slim-fitting Prada dress in pale lavender for her wedding to Bart Freundlich.
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Alternative colours and styles
Although white wedding dresses remain popular, alternative colours and styles are also common. The bridal sphere is evolving, and new wedding fashion trends are taking precedence over tradition.
Some brides opt for jumpsuits, suits, or dresses in various colours. Red is a popular choice, especially in China and India, where it is considered a symbol of good luck and success. Purple, lavender, pink, and floral dresses are also trendy, adding a pop of colour to the wedding.
For those who want to stick close to the traditional white dress but still desire something different, ivory is a popular choice. It offers several variations, from golden hues to more neutral tones like champagne, moscato, cream, nude, and blush. Blush, in particular, gives a romantic feel to the wedding.
In some cultures, specific colours and styles are favoured. Traditional Hungarian dresses, for instance, feature white with colourful floral patterns, while Malaysian gowns usually come in purple or violet. Nigerian brides often opt for bright colours and elaborate accessories, and Ghanaian couples use unique family cloth patterns for their wedding attire.
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Symbolism and meaning of white dresses
The white wedding dress has been a staple of Western bridal fashion since 1840 when Queen Victoria wore a white satin gown to marry Prince Albert. The trend quickly spread across the Atlantic and throughout Europe, with elite Victorian-era brides adopting white as a symbol of purity, wealth, and status. Over time, the white wedding dress has come to symbolise several significant values.
Purity and Innocence
The colour white is often associated with purity and innocence in many cultures worldwide. In Christian symbolism, white reflects spiritual purity and moral virtue, making it a fitting choice for brides during one of life's most sacred ceremonies.
Wealth and Status
Historically, white fabrics were expensive and challenging to maintain. Wearing a white dress signalled the bride's family's wealth and social status. The colour white itself also came to symbolise status, with its association with light, goodness, and virtue.
Tradition
The white dress tradition signifies a bride's transition from ordinary life into a new chapter, marking the significance of the occasion and the enduring influence of Queen Victoria's fashion choice.
New Beginnings
In colour psychology, white represents a fresh start and new beginnings. It is often associated with beginnings and transitions in Western culture, reflecting a bride's new stage in life.
While the white wedding dress remains a popular choice, brides today have more options and are not limited to wearing white. The choice of dress style and colour ultimately depends on personal preferences, comfort, and what best suits the bride's body type and style.
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Frequently asked questions
White wedding dresses are a classic and will likely never go out of style. However, the bridal sphere is evolving, and new wedding fashion trends are taking over. Today, there are many colours and styles to choose from, and it is becoming more common to see brides in non-white dresses.
The colour white is often associated with purity and virginity, and was also thought to ward off evil spirits. The tradition of wearing white wedding dresses is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress to her wedding with Prince Albert in 1840.
Besides white, wedding dresses can come in various colours, including ivory, champagne, moscato, cream, nude, blush, and floral patterns. In some cultures, red is a popular choice, symbolising good luck and success.
Notable figures who wore white wedding dresses include Mary, Queen of Scots in 1558 or 1559, Diana Spencer, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and Meghan Markle.
