George Boyle
Wedding dresses are not required to be white. Although white wedding dresses are a popular choice, with 83% of brides opting for a white dress in 2018, many brides choose to wear different colours. The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress was popularised by Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840. Prior to this, brides often wore blue dresses, which symbolised purity, while white was associated with wealth. Today, many brides are embracing their individuality and breaking away from tradition by choosing wedding dresses in colours like purple, pink, black, and emerald green.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress color traditions | In the past, wedding dresses were of various colors, including blue, red, yellow, and green. |
| White wedding dress origin | The trend of white wedding dresses was popularized by Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840. |
| Reasons for wearing white | White is associated with purity and virtue. It is also a traditional color that has been popularized by royal weddings. |
| Reasons for not wearing white | White may not suit everyone's style or skin tone. It is also less practical as it shows dirt and marks more easily. |
| Alternative colors | Brides today are embracing individuality with non-traditional colors like purple, pink, black, and emerald green. |
| Individual preference | Ultimately, the choice of dress color is a personal decision, and brides should feel confident and authentic on their special day. |
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What You'll Learn
Wedding dress colour preferences
Historical Perspective
The colour preferences for wedding dresses have varied throughout history. During the Renaissance Era, aristocratic brides showcased their wealth with lavish, colourful wedding dresses, while blue was a popular choice across medieval Europe due to its association with the virtues of the Virgin Mary. In the nineteenth century, Queen Victoria's decision to wear a white wedding dress established a new trend, with brides across Europe and America embracing white as a symbol of purity and wealth.
Modern Trends
Today, brides have a wide range of colour options beyond the traditional white. Popular alternatives include ivory, blush, champagne, and other soft, neutral tones. These colours are favoured for their versatility and ability to flatter a variety of skin tones. Some brides opt for bolder choices, such as black, blue, lavender, or even rainbow hues, reflecting their individuality and modern sensibilities.
Personal Expression
The choice of wedding dress colour is a highly personal decision. Some brides may opt for colours that complement their skin tone, hair colour, or eye colour, creating a harmonious look. Others may choose colours that hold symbolic meaning for them or simply reflect their unique style. Ultimately, the preference for a specific colour or non-colour wedding dress is driven by the bride's vision for her special day and what makes her feel comfortable and confident.
Practical Considerations
There are also practical factors that influence wedding dress colour preferences. White dresses, for example, can be more prone to showing dirt or marks, which may be a consideration for brides who want to avoid the hassle of constant cleaning. Additionally, the lighting conditions, venue, and season of the wedding may play a role in dress colour selection to ensure the bride stands out in photographs and complements the overall aesthetic of the celebration.
Breaking Traditions
In recent times, many couples have chosen to forgo certain wedding traditions in favour of customisation and personal expression. This includes the colour of the wedding dress, with an increasing number of brides opting for non-white gowns. This shift reflects a broader trend towards individuality and personal preference in wedding planning, ensuring that the celebration aligns with the couple's unique values and style.
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White wedding dresses and class
The white wedding dress is a tradition that was popularised by Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840. Before this, wedding dress colours could include blue, which symbolised purity, red, yellow, or green, while white was worn for mourning.
During the Renaissance Era, the aristocracy displayed their wealth with lavish, colourful wedding dresses, which the lower classes copied using cheaper fabrics. In the 15th century, upper-class women often wore up to three layers over their main dress, while in the 16th century, dresses featured a tight corset top and layers of fabric making up a ball gown. Red textiles like satin, Coudray, and velvet were favoured by the upper classes because red was associated with wealth.
White wedding dresses also indicated wealth in the Victorian Era, as white was for the well-to-do who could afford to clean their dresses. The mass production of wedding dresses and the industrial revolution, which brought down the cost of fabrics, enabled many American and European brides to afford white dresses.
In recent years, there has been a shift towards customisation, with many brides opting for non-white wedding dresses. Some sources suggest that a white dress may not be flattering for all skin tones, and that it is more likely to show dirt or marks. Additionally, wearing white may simply not suit everyone's personal style or preference.
Ultimately, the choice of wedding dress colour is a personal one, and while white dresses remain popular, they are not the only option.
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History of white wedding dresses
The white wedding dress is a relatively recent tradition, popularised by Queen Victoria in 1840. Before this, royal brides wore a variety of colours, with red being a particularly popular choice in Western Europe. Brides across Europe and America wore blue dresses, which symbolised purity, while white was associated with wealth and was reserved for debutantes being presented at court.
Mary, Queen of Scots, wore a white wedding dress in 1559 when she married her first husband, Francis Dauphin of France, because it was her favourite colour. In the 17th century, Mary Tudor and Philip of Spain wore matching white wedding outfits with gold embroidery, setting a trend for matching outfits.
Queen Victoria's choice of a white court dress, made from Spitalfields cream silk-satin with a flounce of Honiton lace at the neck and sleeves, was considered unusual. As accounts of Victoria's wedding spread, other European leaders followed suit, and white wedding dresses became a symbol of purity and innocence, as well as wealth. White dresses were also favoured as they looked good in early black-and-white or sepia-toned photography. However, due to the limitations of laundering techniques, they were also a way to show that the bride's family was wealthy.
By the end of the 19th century, the white dress was the garment of choice for elite brides on both sides of the Atlantic. However, it wasn't until after World War II that middle-class British and American brides fully adopted the trend. The increased prosperity of the 20th century also led to the tradition of wearing the dress only once.
The portrayal of weddings in Hollywood and the media coverage of celebrity weddings, such as Lady Diana Spencer's wedding to Charles, Prince of Wales, in 1981, further cemented the notion that brides should wear white. Today, white is the preferred choice for brides in the West, while red is more common in traditional Eastern weddings. However, there is no requirement for wedding dresses to be white, and some brides choose to wear different colours such as purple or pink.
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Practicality of white wedding dresses
The practicality of wearing a white wedding dress is questionable. Although white is a popular choice for brides, with 83% opting for a white wedding dress in 2018, it is not the most practical colour.
Historically, white was not the only colour considered for wedding dresses. In Western societies, wedding dresses were of all different colours, often chosen for reasons of practicality. Brides would often buy a wedding dress that could be worn again, or they would wear the best dress they already owned. White does not lend itself to being worn again, as it is difficult to keep clean. White dresses are therefore not ideal for many situations or for repeat wear.
In the Renaissance Era, the aristocracy wore lavish and colourful wedding dresses, with red being a favoured colour as it was associated with wealth. The lower classes copied the fashion with cheaper fabrics. In the 19th century, blue was a popular colour, embodying the virtue, parity, and faithfulness of the Virgin Mary.
Today, coloured dresses, floral prints, and even black gowns are becoming increasingly popular as brides redefine what it means to be "bridal". Non-white dresses are often more versatile and reusable for other events, making them a sustainable option.
Ultimately, the choice of wedding dress colour is a personal one. Some brides may choose to follow tradition and wear white, while others may prefer to embrace their individuality and choose a different colour.
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Individuality and breaking tradition
The colour white has long been associated with purity and virtue in many societies, and this is one reason why some brides choose to wear white. However, historically, white was not the only colour considered for wedding dresses. In Western societies, wedding dresses were of all different colours, with brides often buying a dress that could be worn again or simply wearing the best dress they already owned. In medieval Europe, blue was a popular colour as it embodied the virtue, parity, and faithfulness of the Virgin Mary. During the Renaissance Era, red textiles were favoured as they were associated with wealth, while pearls signified chastity.
The white wedding dress became popularised by Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840. Victoria opted for a white gown to show off the detailed British lace, which was floundering at the time, and her fashion choice was widely reported and soon influenced wedding trends. However, this tradition has been increasingly broken in recent times, with coloured dresses, floral prints, and even black gowns becoming more popular as brides redefine what it means to be "bridal".
The choice of wearing a non-white wedding dress is often a way for brides to express their individuality and break away from tradition. Some brides may feel that white does not suit their personality or skin tone, and they may prefer to wear a colour that makes them feel more comfortable and confident. Others may choose a different colour to stand out and make a statement, especially if they feel that a white dress is not reflective of their unique style.
Additionally, non-white wedding dresses offer a range of practical benefits. They are often more versatile and can be reused for other events, making them a sustainable option. They may also be more flattering in photographs, especially if the lighting or camera skills of the photographer are not ideal. For brides who are paranoid about keeping their dress clean, a darker shade can disguise any marks that may occur throughout the wedding day.
Ultimately, the choice of wedding dress colour is a personal decision, and brides should feel empowered to choose whatever style and colour make them feel the most authentic and beautiful. Whether it is a classic white gown or a vibrant, unconventional style, the most important thing is to embrace your individuality and let your personality shine through on your special day.
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Frequently asked questions
No, wedding dresses do not have to be white. The tradition of wearing white on one's wedding day was popularised by Queen Victoria in 1840. However, it is not mandatory and many brides opt for non-white dresses.
Some brides choose non-white dresses because they suit their skin tone better, or because they want to embrace their individuality and break away from tradition. Non-white dresses are also more versatile and can be reworn to other events, making them a sustainable option.
Non-white wedding dresses can be of any colour or pattern, from soft pastel hues like blush pink and champagne to bold colours like purple, emerald green, or even black.
