George Boyle
The wedding dress is an important part of a bride's ensemble, and in Western cultures, white wedding gowns have traditionally symbolized purity and grace. The tradition of wearing something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue stems from an Old English rhyme, symbolizing the bride's past, future with her partner, absorption of good luck from a happily married couple, and fidelity. While the wedding dress is often chosen as the something new item, symbolizing hope and optimism for the future, it is not a requirement and brides can choose other new items to wear or include in their ensemble.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meaning | "Something new" stands for hope and optimism for the future. |
| Examples | The wedding band, a pair of comfortable wedding shoes, a pretty hairpiece, or even the wedding gown. |
| Timing | The wedding dress should arrive at the salon about three to four months before the wedding. |
| Trends | Bridal trends change with the seasons, with new Spring and Fall collections released annually. |
| Timing | It is recommended to buy a wedding dress no earlier than a year and a half before the wedding. |
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What You'll Learn
Wedding dress colour
The wedding dress is often considered the “something new” element in the traditional rhyme "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a sixpence in your shoe". The rhyme originates from a 19th-century Lancashire tradition, where it was believed that carrying these items would bring the bride good luck and a successful marriage. "Something new" symbolises the bride's future with her partner and the optimism and hope that come with it.
The wedding dress has traditionally been white in Western cultures, symbolising purity and grace. This trend dates back to the 19th century and was popularised by Queen Victoria, who wore a white gown when she married Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Prior to this, brides would marry in any colour, with black being a popular choice in Finland.
In Eastern cultures, wedding dresses are often elaborate and colourful, imbued with symbolic meanings unique to each region. In China, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, red is a popular choice as it represents good luck and auspiciousness. In Vietnam, wedding dresses were traditionally dark blue. In modern Chinese weddings, brides may wear Western dresses of any colour, and in Taiwanese weddings, the bride may choose red or white.
When choosing a wedding dress, it is recommended to purchase the gown no earlier than a year and a half before the wedding. This allows for bridal trends to evolve and any last-minute stressors to be avoided. The dress should arrive at the salon about three to four months before the wedding, and the final fitting should be an opportunity to test the comfort and fit of the gown.
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Wedding dress cost
The wedding dress is often considered to be the “something new” a bride wears on her wedding day. "Something new" stands for hope and optimism for the future, as the couple enters a new life together.
The cost of a wedding dress varies depending on the fabric, design, brand, and place of production. The average cost of a wedding dress is about $2000, but prices can go up to $13,000. The price of a wedding dress also depends on whether it is off-the-rack, made-to-order, or custom-made. Off-the-rack and made-to-order styles account for the average price of a wedding dress, as only about 10% of brides wear custom-made dresses.
The fabric used for a wedding dress can significantly impact its cost. Silk, for example, tends to be more expensive because its production is labour-intensive. Other high-end materials such as Mikado, Chantilly lace, and hand-embroidered tulle also add to the cost due to their rarity and superior quality. Embellishments such as intricate beading, embroidery, or 3D floral appliqués that require skilled artisans to spend a significant amount of time perfecting the design will also increase the price of a wedding dress.
The brand of the dress can also influence its price. Luxury brands often command higher prices due to their positioning and reputation, regardless of their production methods. Additionally, the place of production can affect the cost of a wedding dress. For example, dresses produced in the United States tend to be more expensive than those produced in other countries. This is partly due to labour costs, which can vary worldwide. However, it's important to note that most wedding dresses are produced abroad, even if they are designed in the United States, with China accounting for 90% of the bridal gown market.
It's worth mentioning that tariffs and import taxes can also impact the final cost of a wedding dress. For instance, in 2025, there was uncertainty among brides in the United States due to new tariffs imposed on Chinese-made wedding dresses, which made up a significant portion of the market. This caused some designers and retailers to raise their prices across the board to cover the new tariff costs.
To summarise, the cost of a wedding dress can vary widely depending on various factors, including fabric, design, brand, and place of production, among other things. It's important for brides to consider their budget and priorities when choosing a wedding dress, as the price can range from a few thousand dollars to over ten thousand.
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Wedding dress timeline
The wedding dress is often considered the "something new" that a bride wears on her wedding day. It symbolises hope and optimism for the future as the couple enters their new life together.
8–10 Months Before the Wedding
Start researching wedding dress styles, trends, and designers. This is also the time to determine your budget and decide who you want to bring along on your wedding dress shopping journey.
9 Months to a Year Before the Wedding
Begin wedding dress shopping. This is the ideal time to start trying on dresses and visiting salons.
6–8 Months Before the Wedding
Purchase your wedding dress. Made-to-order wedding gowns can take about six to nine months to create, so it's important to place your order with enough time.
5–6 Months Before the Wedding
Shop for your wedding undergarments, bridal shapewear, and other intimate essentials.
When the Dress Arrives
Wedding dress fittings are the next phase. You'll generally have up to three fittings to ensure the dress fits perfectly. The first fitting is where major adjustments and customisations are made, so it's important to get the timing right to avoid a time crunch or additional rush fees.
2–3 Weeks Before the Wedding
Hang up your wedding dress to air out and steam out any wrinkles.
1 Week Before the Wedding
This is the time to ask your stylist any final questions.
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Wedding dress alterations
The first step is to secure a fitting and alterations appointment, ideally three months before the wedding. This will involve meeting with a seamstress, who will modify your gown to fit your body perfectly. Depending on the style and size of the original dress, it typically takes about three fittings before a bride's ensemble is ready.
It's important to keep in mind that alterations can be costly, especially if your dress has intricate details like beading or embroidery. The cost of alterations can also be affected by external factors, such as tariffs and surcharges, which have been known to cause fluctuations in the price of wedding dresses.
When preparing for your alterations appointment, it's a good idea to already have chosen your wedding shoes, as even a small difference in heel height can impact the hem of your dress. It's also crucial to take your time and ask any questions you may have during the alterations process to ensure your dress is exactly how you want it.
Finally, remember that your wedding dress can absolutely count as your ""something new"" on your big day. "Something new" symbolizes hope and optimism for the future as you enter your new life with your partner. So, if you're struggling to think of something new to wear or carry, your wedding dress is a perfect choice!
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Wedding dress customs
The Colour White
In Western cultures, white wedding gowns have traditionally symbolized purity and grace since the 19th century. This symbolism originated with Queen Victoria, who wore a white wedding dress in 1840 when she married Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Although white was later assumed to symbolize virginity, it was originally blue that represented purity and fidelity and was associated with the Virgin Mary.
"Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue"
This custom is based on an Old English rhyme from 19th-century Lancashire. Brides are supposed to have these four items with them on their wedding day to bring good luck and ensure a successful and happy marriage. "Something new" can symbolize hope and optimism for the future, and the wedding dress is often chosen to represent this category.
Timing of Purchase
It is recommended to buy a wedding dress 6-15 months before the wedding. Bridal trends change with the seasons, with new Spring and Fall collections released annually. Therefore, buying a wedding dress too early may result in missing out on desired styles from newer collections.
Cultural Variations
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the wedding dress can count as something new. It is a common choice for brides to select their gown as their "something new" item.
"Something new" symbolises hope and optimism for the future. It represents the new life that the couple will enter into together as they start their married life.
Any special new item that the bride has bought or received as a gift can be chosen as "something new". For example, the wedding band, a pair of comfortable wedding shoes, or a hairpiece.
Another wedding tradition is for the bride to wear something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in your shoe. The belief is that carrying these items will bring the bride good luck and a successful and happy marriage.
