Franklin Dean
Wedding dresses have traditionally been white, a trend popularised by Queen Victoria in 1840. White symbolised wealth, as only the wealthy could afford a dress that would be worn once. In the early 1900s, this symbolism shifted to purity. Today, many brides are opting for coloured wedding dresses, with popular choices including pink, red, green, blue, orange, yellow, silver, and black. These colours are chosen for their symbolism, to flatter the wearer's skin tone, or simply because the bride likes the colour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History of white wedding dresses | Introduced in the late 1800s by Queen Victoria as a symbol of wealth. |
| White wedding dress meaning | Symbol of purity and innocence. |
| Coloured wedding dress meaning | Depends on the colour. For example, red symbolises good luck, yellow symbolises happiness, intelligence and wisdom, and blue symbolises peace, purity and loyalty. |
| Coloured wedding dress trend | Increasingly popular, with brides choosing colours that flatter their skin tone and fit their aesthetic. |
| Popular colours | Blush, champagne, silver, blue, pink, green, red, orange, yellow, mocha, nude, and moscato. |
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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 marry 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 were required to wear white court dresses for their first presentation at court, and Queen Victoria is believed to have chosen a white wedding dress to promote UK lace production, as the lace was better showcased on a white dress.
White wedding dresses quickly became a symbol of status and wealth, as laundering clothing in the 19th century was challenging, and white dresses were hard to maintain. They also carried a connotation of "innocence and virginal purity". Etiquette books further perpetuated this tradition, claiming that white had always been the most fitting colour for brides, symbolising "the purity and innocence of girlhood".
However, it was only in the early to mid-1900s that the symbolism of the white dress shifted from wealth to purity, as a way to control the population's beliefs. This shift was further cemented by Hollywood's portrayal of weddings, with iconic white wedding dresses such as Grace Kelly's in 1956 and Lady Diana Spencer's in 1981.
By the end of the 19th century, white wedding dresses were the garment of choice for elite brides on both sides of the Atlantic. However, it was only after World War II that middle-class British and American brides fully adopted the trend, as increased prosperity made it more feasible to wear a single-use wedding dress.
Today, while white is still the preferred choice for brides in the West, many brides choose to wear coloured wedding dresses, such as pink, red, green, or blue, either as a statement to break tradition or to find a colour that better complements their skin tone.
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Choosing a wedding dress colour that suits your skin tone
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress was introduced in the 1800s by Queen Victoria, as a symbol of wealth. However, this trend is changing, with many brides opting for coloured wedding dresses. When choosing a wedding dress colour, it is essential to consider your skin tone to ensure you look your best on your special day.
Firstly, you need to identify your skin tone. Most brides fall within the pale, fair, medium, olive, or dark skin tone categories. Then, you need to determine your skin's undertone, which is the biggest factor in finding a dress colour that suits you. To do this, look at the veins in your wrist: if they are blue or purple, you have a cool undertone; if they are green, you have a warm undertone; and if they are blue-green, you have a neutral undertone.
If you have a lighter skin tone, colours like ivory, champagne, and blush may wash you out, especially outdoors. Instead, colours like mocha, charcoal, and navy blue will bring more life to your look. For those with olive or tanned skin, warm-coloured gowns such as off-white or cream will look beautiful. For those with darker skin tones, colours like ivory, pale yellow, and light grey will complement your skin, while bright colours will make you stand out. Pure white often looks best on medium or darker skin tones, as it can wash out fairer complexions.
If you have a warm undertone, dusky, smoky shades will complement your skin, and you can also inject some colour into your bridal look with pinks, purples, and blues. Yellow shades may make you look washed out. For cool undertones, neutral shades like champagne, grey, and blush will suit you best. If you have neutral undertones, you're in luck—pretty much any colour will suit you!
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The meaning of different wedding dress colours
Although white is the most traditional colour for wedding dresses, it is not the only option. In fact, wearing white on your wedding day only became popular after Queen Victoria wore a white dress to marry Prince Albert in 1840. White dresses were costly and meant to symbolise wealth and prestige, as only the wealthy could afford a dress that would be worn once.
Today, wearing a coloured wedding dress is a way for brides to express their personalities and add a layer of symbolism to their wedding ensemble. Here are the meanings behind some of the most popular colours for wedding dresses:
Red
In Chinese culture, red is a popular choice for wedding dresses, symbolising good luck, boldness, passion, and desire.
Blue
Blue is a peaceful and pure colour, symbolising stability, confidence, calmness, and serenity. In Catholic communities, blue has always been a symbol of purity.
Pink
Pink wedding dresses can convey a playful and flirtatious nature. Softer shades like blush, champagne, and almond are perfect for brides who want a romantic and modern look without being too traditional.
Black
Black wedding dresses are a bold statement, perfect for contemporary brides who want to stand out. Black represents power, strength, confidence, elegance, and wealth.
Ivory
Ivory is a modern classic that has become a popular alternative to white, symbolising love and commitment. It is also more flattering for a wider range of skin tones.
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Breaking tradition by wearing a coloured wedding dress
Wearing a white wedding dress has long been a tradition that was introduced in the 19th century by Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress when she married Prince Albert. White was chosen to showcase the intricate lacework of the dress, and it quickly became a symbol of wealth, as only the rich could afford to wear a dress just once.
However, this tradition is now being broken by brides who choose to wear coloured wedding dresses. In some cultures, colour remains an important factor, with many brides choosing to wear red for good luck. Other popular colours include pink, which is associated with playful femininity and a flirtatious nature, and blue, which symbolises peace and purity.
For brides who want to break with tradition but still maintain a soft, romantic look, blush-coloured dresses are a popular choice. These dresses have a slight pinkish tone that allows the white lace to stand out. For bolder brides who want to make a statement, black or bright-coloured wedding dresses are also an option.
Ultimately, the choice of wedding dress colour is a personal one and should reflect the bride's personality and style. As one bride-to-be put it, "Wear what makes you happy".
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The most popular coloured wedding dresses
Although white wedding dresses are the most traditional, there are many brides who opt for coloured wedding dresses. The trend for non-white wedding dresses is a modern one, and there are endless colour options to choose from.
Some brides choose to wear a coloured dress to reflect their personality, while others may choose a colour that is considered lucky in their culture. For example, in some cultures, red is considered a lucky colour for brides.
Some of the most popular colours for wedding dresses include:
- Blush: This soft, romantic shade has become increasingly popular in recent years. Blush can range from champagne to almond to nude tones, and can be used for the entire gown or as a lining to make a white lace pop.
- Pink: From soft pastel shades to bright fuchsia, pink is a versatile colour that can be adapted to suit any wedding theme or skin tone.
- Green: From sage to emerald, green is a popular choice for brides who want to embrace nature. Lighter shades tend to suit fairer brides, while darker shades like emerald look stunning on deeper skin tones.
- Red: A bold choice for brides who want to make a statement.
- Black: A sophisticated and modern choice, often paired with nude accents to enhance the bridal feel.
- Blue: A delicate and elegant choice, blue has traditionally symbolised purity, especially in Catholic communities.
Ultimately, the choice of wedding dress colour depends on the individual's preferences and what makes them feel their best.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, people do wear coloured wedding dresses. While white wedding dresses are traditional, brides today wear a variety of colours, including ivory, blush, champagne, silver, mocha, black, and blue.
People wear coloured wedding dresses to showcase their personality, to match their skin tone, or to symbolise something. For example, red symbolises good luck in some cultures, while orange suggests youth and vitality.
White wedding dresses were introduced by Queen Victoria in the 1800s as a symbol of wealth. In the early to mid-1900s, this symbolism shifted to purity. Today, white symbolises innocence and purity and is often chosen for cultural or religious reasons.
Ivory is a modern classic that symbolises love and commitment. It is a softer tone that suits a wider range of skin tones than white.
Unique wedding dress colours include silver grey, which symbolises composure, organisation, and glamour; and orange, which suggests youth and strength.
