Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding dresses come in a variety of colours, and white is a popular choice for brides. In Western societies, white has long been associated with purity and virtue, and this is one reason why some brides opt for a white dress. However, the tradition of wearing white was popularised by Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840, and royal weddings have been trendsetting ever since. While some brides may choose to wear white to remain true to tradition or because of its formal appeal, others may choose to wear a different colour that suits their skin tone or personal style. Ultimately, the choice of wedding dress colour is a personal preference, and there is no rule that wedding dresses have to be white.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress color traditions | In Western societies, white wedding dresses became popular after Queen Victoria wore a white dress in 1840. |
| In medieval Europe, blue was popular as it embodied the virtue, parity, and faithfulness of the Virgin Mary. | |
| In the Renaissance Era, aristocratic weddings displayed wealth with lavish, colorful dresses, while the lower classes copied the fashion with cheaper fabrics. | |
| In the 19th century, before Queen Victoria, brides in Europe and America favored blue dresses symbolizing purity, while white was associated with wealth. | |
| During the Victorian Era, dresses were off-white, while the early 20th century saw true white gowns. | |
| In the 1980s, ball gown-style wedding dresses with short puffy sleeves, lace, and tulle were popular, reminiscent of Renaissance styles. | |
| In recent times, while some couples have ditched certain Western wedding traditions, the white wedding dress has remained popular. | |
| In a 2018 Brides Magazine survey, 83% of brides chose a white dress compared to 92% the previous year. | |
| Reasons for wearing white | Many brides choose white due to its association with purity and virtue, especially in Western cultures. |
| White is considered the classic gown color, and brides who want a formal setting or to adhere to tradition often opt for it. | |
| Stark white is the brightest white and works well with darker skin tones or complexions with yellow or olive undertones. | |
| Ivory is considered more universally flattering and is recommended for fair skin or pink undertones. | |
| Reasons for not wearing white | White is impractical as it shows dirt and marks more easily, and it may not be flattering or comfortable for all skin tones. |
| Some brides prefer to break away from tradition and express their personal style with a non-white dress. | |
| Non-white dresses can be more practical for repeat wear, and brides may choose their best dress or one that can be worn again. | |
| Examples of non-white dresses | Some brides have chosen non-white dresses in colors like purple, pink, black, blue, green, and rainbow. |
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What You'll Learn
The tradition of white wedding dresses
The tradition of wearing white wedding dresses is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. Before Queen Victoria, wedding dresses came in a variety of colours, including blue, yellow, and practical colours like black, brown, and grey. Royal brides often wore heavy brocaded gowns embroidered with white and silver thread, with red being a particularly popular colour in Western Europe.
White dresses were already associated with wealth, as they were hard to keep clean, and with purity, as they were the colour worn by debutantes being presented at court for the first time. By choosing a white wedding dress, Queen Victoria combined these two powerful symbols. As accounts of Victoria's wedding spread across the Atlantic and throughout Europe, fashionable people followed her lead, and white became the colour of choice for elite brides.
In the 20th century, as society became more prosperous and clothing became cheaper to produce, the white wedding dress became a distinctive part of weddings for middle-class brides in Europe and the US. The tradition was further cemented by the portrayal of weddings in Hollywood, as well as the dissemination of images of celebrity weddings.
Today, a wedding dress for a first marriage in Europe and European-dominant countries is usually white by default, and any woman getting married in another colour does so as a deviation. However, the ubiquity of this style is relatively recent, becoming standard only by the middle of the nineteenth century after Queen Victoria's wedding.
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Non-white wedding dress options
Wedding dresses do not have to be white, and there are several non-white wedding dress options available. The colour white became popular for wedding dresses after Queen Victoria wore a white dress at her wedding in 1840. Before this, brides typically wore their Sunday best or a blue dress, which symbolised purity.
Today, there are many reasons why brides might opt for a non-white wedding dress. Some brides may not usually wear white and want to feel comfortable on their wedding day, while others may want to break away from tradition and wear a colour that suits their complexion. Non-white wedding dresses can also be more practical, as dirt and marks are less visible on a darker-coloured dress.
There are many non-white wedding dress options available, from soft tones to more daring hues. Soft colours such as blush, icy blue, champagne, and lavender can add a touch of romance to a wedding, especially when paired with intricate embroidery and floral appliqués. For brides who want a more dramatic look, colours like red, black, and gold can make a statement.
Brides who want to explore non-white wedding dress options can look for inspiration online, on websites like Offbeat Wed, or on social media platforms like Reddit and Instagram. They can also work with a personal bridal stylist to find the perfect non-white dress and matching accessories. Ultimately, the most important thing is for the bride to feel like herself and choose a dress that she loves, regardless of its colour.
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White wedding dresses and skin tone
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress was popularised by Queen Victoria in 1840. While many brides still opt for white wedding dresses, it is not a requirement. Brides are increasingly choosing to wear non-white dresses, with some sources suggesting that this is a return to pre-Victorian traditions.
When it comes to choosing a white wedding dress that complements your skin tone, it's important to consider your undertones. Skin tones can be warm, cool, or a mixture of both, and different shades of white will suit different undertones. For example, those with warm undertones tend to look good in cool, pure whites and neutral whites, whereas those with cool undertones may prefer warmer whites like ivory or cream.
Fair-skinned brides with warm undertones may find that pure white washes them out, whereas cool-toned whites like ivory can complement their skin tone. On the other hand, brides with dark skin tones and warm undertones can shine in pure white dresses, which provide a nice contrast to their skin.
If you have a combination of skin tones, such as being very fair in the winter and tanning well in the summer, you may need to consider a different approach. One option is to choose a dress that complements your tanned skin, such as a champagne or golden shade. Alternatively, you could opt for a white dress that will provide a nice contrast to your skin, like a stark white or a bright white dress.
Ultimately, the choice of wedding dress colour is a personal one. While white dresses are traditional, they may not suit everyone's skin tone or personality. It's important to feel comfortable and confident on your wedding day, so choose a dress colour that makes you feel your best.
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White wedding dresses and photography
The white wedding dress is a long-standing tradition that was popularised by Queen Victoria in 1840. Since then, it has become a staple for brides across the globe. However, the tradition has evolved, and modern brides are increasingly embracing coloured wedding dresses.
When it comes to white wedding dresses and photography, there are several considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, white fabric can be delicate to photograph, and if the exposure is off, the gown's beauty may be lost. Photographers need to be skilled in handling highlight control to avoid blowouts, especially around the torso or chest area. Using tools like large softboxes and black mesh scrims can help manage light reflection and create a soft beam, preventing overexposure.
Additionally, the weather, skin tone, hair colour, and photographer's skills can impact the final images. It is essential to ensure that the dress does not dominate the image and that the photographer can handle the nuances of photographing a white gown. Checking the photographer's previous work is advisable to ensure they can capture the dress's elegance and details effectively.
For a well-executed wedding dress photoshoot, it is crucial to prepare the dress by ensuring it is clean and ready. Capturing the bride stepping into the gown, whether it is zipped, buttoned, or tied, adds emotion to the images. Shooting from multiple angles, including over-the-shoulder, wide-room views, and close-up details, provides variety. Focusing on tender moments, such as a mother buttoning up the bride's dress, highlights the connection and emotion between them.
Ultimately, the choice between a white or coloured wedding dress is a personal one. White dresses remain a popular choice, but brides should feel comfortable and confident in their selection. Coloured dresses can offer a unique and quirky alternative, and with the right photography techniques, any dress can be beautifully captured, creating timeless and elegant wedding photos.
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The history of white wedding dresses
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is often credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress when she married Prince Albert in 1840. Debutantes had long been required to wear white court dresses for their first presentation at court, and Queen Victoria chose to make a statement with her non-traditional dress and flower crown, later saying it was "the happiest day of my life". The dress was made from Spitalfields cream silk-satin with a flounce of Honiton lace at the neck and sleeves, and it featured a slim waist, full crinoline petticoat, and lace embellishments. This style is still considered the classic wedding dress silhouette in the West today.
Before Queen Victoria's wedding, royal brides wore wedding dresses in a variety of colours, with red being one of the most popular, while white dresses were reserved for women being presented at court. Brides across Europe and America often wore blue dresses, which symbolised purity, while white was associated with wealth. Mary, Queen of Scots, wore a white wedding dress when she married Francis Dauphin of France in 1559, and Mary Tudor and Philip of Spain wore matching white wedding outfits with gold embroidery.
As accounts of Queen Victoria's wedding spread across the Atlantic and throughout Europe, fashionable people followed her lead, and white wedding dresses became a popular symbol of status. By 1849, women's magazines were proclaiming that white was not just the best colour for a wedding dress, but that it had always been the most appropriate choice, with the colour being an "emblem of the purity and innocence of girlhood". In the 19th century, laundering clothing was difficult, and so white dresses were hard to maintain, which added to their status as a symbol of wealth.
The tradition of wearing white at weddings was given 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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Frequently asked questions
No, wedding dresses do not have to be white. While it is a common tradition, especially in Western cultures, it is not mandatory.
The tradition of wearing white on your wedding day was started by Queen Victoria in 1840. White was chosen to showcase the fine detailed Honiton lace produced by the British lace industry. The trend was widely reported and soon influenced wedding fashion.
Some brides choose a non-white dress to stand out and be quirky. Others may opt for a different colour because white may not suit their skin tone or flatter their body shape. Practicality is also a factor, as white is difficult to keep clean.
There are no restrictions on alternative colours, and brides have been known to choose black, purple, pink, blue, green, red, yellow, or even rainbow-coloured dresses.
It is important to consider your personal style, the formality of the setting, and how the colour will photograph. For example, ivory is often chosen for a softer, more romantic feel, and stark white may appear washed out on certain skin tones.
Feel free to ask any further questions about wedding dress colours or traditions!
