Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding dresses have evolved over time, with the colour, style and ceremonial importance of the gown depending on the couple's religion and culture. In Western culture, the wedding dress is most commonly white, a fashion made popular by Queen Victoria when she married in 1840. However, in many cultures, red is the traditional colour of bridal looks, with brides in Eastern cultures often choosing red to symbolise auspiciousness, life, luck, celebration and happiness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour symbolism | Red symbolises life, luck, celebration, wealth, power, passion, romance, strength, and new beginnings |
| Cultural significance | Red is the traditional colour for bridal looks in many Eastern cultures, including China, India, and the Middle East. In Western culture, white is more common. |
| Historical usage | In the 1700s and 1800s, red was a common colour choice for wedding dresses in China, India, and medieval and Renaissance Europe. In the late 1800s, white became the expected choice for most brides. |
| Modern usage | Some modern Chinese brides wear a white dress for the ceremony and change into a red dress for the reception. Red dresses are also worn by brides seeking individuality and a departure from traditional white gowns. |
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What You'll Learn
- Red wedding dresses are a traditional bridal colour in many cultures
- Red is a symbol of wealth, power, prosperity, and good fortune
- White wedding dresses became popular in the mid-19th century
- White wedding dresses were not common before Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840
- Today, red wedding dresses are still worn by brides in China
Red wedding dresses are a traditional bridal colour in many cultures
In the past, red was a common colour for wedding dresses in many cultures. In medieval and Renaissance Europe, red was a popular choice for the nobility and wealthy. Wealthy brides would wear jewel-toned dresses with gold and silver embroidery to showcase their status. In the 1700s and 1800s, before Queen Victoria popularised the white wedding dress in 1840, it was quite usual for brides to wear red, pink, blue, brown, or even black. Today, some modern Chinese brides continue to incorporate the colour red into their wedding attire, changing into a red dress for the reception to embrace their cultural heritage.
In addition to its cultural significance, red is often chosen for its symbolic meaning. Red symbolises life, luck, celebration, wealth, power, passion, and romance. In some cultures, red is associated with the Virgin Mary, adding a religious significance to its use in wedding ceremonies. For brides seeking to depart from traditional white gowns, red is an appealing choice to make a bold statement and embrace their cultural identity.
While red is a traditional bridal colour in many cultures, it is important to note that the wedding dress is influenced by the religion and culture of the participants. In Western culture, the white wedding dress has become the standard choice, symbolising purity and new beginnings. However, with the increasing mix of Western and Eastern wedding traditions, the colour red continues to be incorporated into bridal fashion, reflecting the evolving style and cultural trends in society.
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Red is a symbol of wealth, power, prosperity, and good fortune
The colour red has long been a symbol of wealth, power, prosperity, and good fortune. In Eastern cultures, red is often chosen by brides to symbolise auspiciousness. In China, red is a symbol of luck, happiness, and prosperity, and brides traditionally wore bright red wedding dresses, known as qípáo or cheóngsāms, adorned with intricate embroidery and gold accents. In India, red is also a popular choice for brides, symbolising fertility, auspiciousness, and marital bliss. Similarly, in Middle Eastern and North African cultures, red is associated with celebration and good fortune.
In medieval and Renaissance Europe, red was a popular choice for wedding attire among the nobility and the wealthy. Wealthy brides would wear jewel-toned dresses edged in fur and embroidered with gold and silver to showcase their social status and magnificence. In the 1800s, before the white wedding dress became popular, it was quite usual for brides to wear red, pink, blue, brown, or even black.
Today, red is still incorporated into wedding attire in various cultures. In China, some modern brides will wear a white Western-style gown for the ceremony and change into a red dress for the reception. In Indonesia, the Javanese people wear traditional batik and kebaya, and the bride may change into a red kimono for good luck after the ceremony. In India, red saris, lehengas, and salwar kameez are traditional garment options for brides, and the fabric of choice is usually silk.
Red is also chosen by brides who want to embrace their cultural identity and depart from the traditional white gown. It symbolises passion, romance, and strength, making it an appealing choice for those who want to make a bold statement on their wedding day.
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White wedding dresses became popular in the mid-19th century
In the West, white wedding dresses are now considered "traditional". However, this tradition is relatively modern, dating back only to the mid-19th century.
Before the 1800s, brides wore a variety of colours, including red, pink, blue, brown, and even black. In medieval and Renaissance Europe, red was a popular choice for wedding attire among the nobility and the wealthy. Red was also the colour of choice for brides in ancient China, where it symbolised joy, luck, and a blissful union. In many Eastern cultures, red is still the traditional colour for brides, representing auspiciousness, fertility, and marital bliss. In Indian weddings, for instance, the bride often wears a red sari or lehenga, while in China, modern brides may change into a red dress after the ceremony.
In the West, the shift towards white wedding dresses began in 1840, when Queen Victoria wore a white dress to her wedding to Prince Albert. This choice shocked her seamstress, as white was not a common choice for bridal gowns at the time and was associated with mourning and funerals. However, the style and colour of Victoria's gown were soon copied across continents, as women aspired to look like the queen. White also communicated the status and wealth of the wearer, as it was costlier and harder to keep clean. By the late 1800s, due to economic progress and the rise of the middle classes, the white wedding gown had become the expected choice for most brides.
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White wedding dresses were not common before Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840
The colour of a wedding dress is often dictated by cultural and societal norms. In Western culture, the wedding dress is most commonly white, a fashion made popular by Queen Victoria when she married in 1840. Before Queen Victoria's wedding, white was an uncommon choice for a wedding dress. In the 1700s and 1800s, white was associated with mourning and funerals, and only the wealthiest could afford a white dress that would be worn once. Most families had their daughters' wedding gowns made in a colour that depicted her age and purity to her betrothed.
In Eastern cultures, brides often choose red to symbolise auspiciousness, and red is the traditional colour of bridal looks in many cultures. In Indian weddings, the bride often wears a red sari or lehenga, symbolising fertility, auspiciousness, and marital bliss. In Chinese weddings, red is a symbol of luck, happiness, and prosperity, and brides traditionally wore bright red wedding dresses, known as qipao or cheongsam, adorned with intricate embroidery and gold accents. This practice symbolised joy, luck, and a blissful union. In the Middle East and North Africa, red is associated with celebration and good fortune, while in South Sudan and Singapore, red is the more appropriate colour for traditional brides.
In medieval and Renaissance Europe, red was a popular choice for wedding attire among the nobility and wealthy. Wealthy brides would have jewel-toned dresses edged in fur and embroidered with gold and silver to make a splash and showcase their social status. In the 16th century, Roman Catholic brides in Spain commonly wore black wedding gowns with dramatic mantilla lace veils to symbolise devotion to their future husbands until death.
In modern times, some brides seeking individuality and a departure from traditional white gowns have embraced the idea of wearing red wedding dresses. Red symbolises passion, romance, and strength, making it an appealing choice for those who want to make a bold statement on their special day.
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Today, red wedding dresses are still worn by brides in China
In the West, wedding dresses are predominantly white, a trend that was started by Queen Victoria in 1840. However, in many other cultures, red is the traditional colour of bridal attire. In Eastern cultures, red symbolises auspiciousness, passion, romance, strength, good fortune, prosperity, and happiness.
In China, red is a symbol of luck, happiness, and prosperity. Brides traditionally wore bright red wedding dresses, known as qipaos or cheongsams, adorned with intricate embroidery and gold accents. This practice symbolised joy, luck, and a blissful union. Today, red wedding dresses are still worn by brides in China. Many modern Chinese brides will wear a white, Western-style wedding gown for the ceremony but change into a red dress for the reception.
Red wedding dresses are also common in Indian cultures, where the bride often wears a red sari or lehenga, symbolising fertility, auspiciousness, and marital bliss. In addition, red is a common colour for a bridal saree in India, symbolising future success and prosperity. In the past, a Kurdish first-time bride would wear a red dress to symbolise the postcoital bleeding she would experience after losing her virginity.
In the Middle East and North Africa, red is associated with celebration and good fortune, while in medieval and Renaissance Europe, it was a popular choice for the nobility and wealthy. Today, brides may opt for red wedding dresses to honour their heritage and embrace their cultural identity. Modern designers have embraced this trend, offering a wide range of red wedding dresses in various styles, from classic ball gowns to sleek and contemporary designs.
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Frequently asked questions
White wedding dresses became popular after Queen Victoria wore a white dress to her wedding in 1840. White was an unusual choice at the time, as it was hard to keep clean, and was previously associated with mourning and funerals. However, wearing white at a wedding was a way to show wealth and status.
Red is a popular colour for wedding dresses in Eastern cultures, and is associated with good fortune, prosperity, and happiness. In Indian cultures, red is also thought to symbolise fertility, and in Chinese weddings, it symbolises luck. In the past, red was also a popular choice in medieval and Renaissance Europe, especially among the wealthy.
While it depends on the culture and the couple getting married, red is generally an acceptable colour to wear to a Western wedding. However, it is important to consider the shade of red and the cut of the outfit to ensure that it is appropriate and does not distract from the couple.
