George Boyle
The white wedding dress has been a matrimonial staple in Western culture since Queen Victoria wore a white gown to marry Prince Albert in 1840. The white wedding tradition is derived from the Christian tradition, with white symbolising purity and grace. Although the white wedding dress has been a common feature of weddings in the US and Europe, it was only after World War II that the white dress became accessible to the average American woman.
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What You'll Learn
The tradition's origins
The white wedding tradition, including the white wedding dress, is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. Debutantes had long been required to wear white court dresses and long white gloves for their first presentation at court. Royal brides before Victoria did not typically wear white, instead opting for heavy brocaded gowns embroidered with white and silver thread. Red was a particularly popular colour in Western Europe.
The white wedding style was popularised by Victorian era elites and was given another significant boost in 1981, when 750 million people watched the wedding of Diana Spencer to Charles, Prince of Wales, which saw her wear an elaborate white taffeta dress with an 8-metre train. 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, middle-class British and American brides did not adopt the trend fully until after World War II.
The white colour of the wedding dress is often associated with purity and innocence. In colour psychology, white is the colour of new beginnings, wiping the slate clean. It is also the colour in Western culture most associated with beginnings. In addition, white is a common colour used in religious rites to express high religious commitment and purity.
The wedding veil, which is often white, has also been a part of the bridal outfit in many Christian churches. It has historically symbolised youth, virginity, modesty, humility, and respect. The story put out about the wedding veil was that decorous brides were naturally too timid to show their faces in public until they were married. The veil was also believed to protect against evil spirits.
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The colour's meaning
The colour white is a popular choice for weddings in America, with the tradition stemming from the white dress worn by Queen Victoria at her wedding in 1840. White symbolises purity and religious commitment. However, the colour of the wedding dress is not limited to white, and brides may opt for off-white or add colourful accents or accessories.
The wedding veil, which was once required in many Christian churches, also symbolises purity and modesty. Etiquette books turned this practice into a tradition, and the white veil became a symbol of status and innocence.
Other colours also carry significant meanings in weddings. Blue, for example, symbolises femininity, purity, and wealth. Shades of blue such as French, cornflower, dusty, and periwinkle are popular choices for bridesmaids' dresses. Navy blue is a fashionable alternative to the traditional men's black tuxedo and can be incorporated as an accent in groomsmen's ties.
Orange is another popular choice, symbolising joy, creativity, success, enthusiasm, and adventure. Tropical shades of orange are particularly trendy for weddings. Similarly, melon, a shade of orange, is favoured by many couples for its uplifting nature.
Green is also a popular colour choice, symbolising prosperity, nature, rebirth, and springtime renewal. Shades of green found in nature, such as sage green, are preferred for their soothing and calming effect.
Purple is a colour associated with royalty and nobility, wealth, luxury, power, and ambition. Lavender and lilac, shades of purple, are popular choices for summer weddings and are expected to remain in demand.
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White wedding popularity
The white wedding tradition is extremely popular in America, with sources stating that 83% of brides wore white dresses on their wedding day in 2018, and 4 out of 5 brides choosing to do so in 2022. This makes it one of the most practised American traditions, and it is often the centre point of little girls' wedding fantasies.
The white wedding tradition is derived from Christian tradition, where the colour white is used to express high religious commitment and purity. The tradition is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. The style and colour of her gown were copied across continents as women aspired to emulate the young, attractive queen. White wedding dresses were initially a symbol of wealth and status, as only wealthy brides could afford to wear a white silk gown.
The popularity of white wedding dresses in America was further boosted by the wedding of Diana Spencer and Charles, Prince of Wales, in 1981, which was watched by 750 million people. The white wedding style received another boost from Hollywood movies, particularly those released immediately after World War II, which helped to crystallise and homogenise the white wedding into a normative form.
Although the white wedding is one of the most popular wedding traditions in America, it is not the only one. America is a diverse country, and wedding traditions vary based on couples' origins, religions, ethnicities, cultures, lifestyles, and preferences. Some couples adhere to ancient traditions, while others make up their own.
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Other wedding traditions
The white wedding dress is one of the most widely practised American traditions, with brides of almost every culture and faith choosing to wear white. The tradition is said to have originated with Queen Victoria, who wore a white lace gown when she married her true love, Prince Albert, in 1840. However, there are other wedding traditions in America besides wearing white.
Wedding Cake
A wedding cake is a staple of most weddings. The tradition dates back to ancient Rome, where guests would crumble a barley cake or wheat scone over the bride's head to symbolise fertility and good fortune. In medieval times, couples would kiss over a large stack of cookies and scones, and if the stack didn't fall, they would have good luck. Today, couples may opt for a traditional cake or create one out of cupcakes or macarons.
Wedding Processional
Most American weddings include a wedding processional, where the wedding party walks down the aisle at the beginning of the ceremony. In more traditional ceremonies, the bride's father walks her down the aisle, while in modern ceremonies, both parents may do so.
Flowers and Bouquets
Flowers and bouquets are a large part of the visuals at weddings. In ancient Rome and Greece, it was fashionable to carry aromatic bouquets of onions, garlic, dill, and other herbs to repel evil spirits. Today, most members of a wedding party carry or wear flowers.
Wedding Rings
A wedding ring is a big part of Christian weddings and symbolises commitment and something pure and unending. In America, until the growth of the diamond industry, most women received precious stones with different meanings. For example, rubies promised to protect their wearer from evil, and opals promised faithfulness.
Wedding Exit
It is traditional in American weddings to give the newlyweds a grand and festive exit. Historically, guests would throw rice at the couple as they got into their car. Nowadays, guests might blow bubbles, wave sparklers, toss dried lavender, or ring bells to send off the married couple and wish them luck and happiness.
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Non-white wedding dresses
The white wedding tradition, derived primarily from Christian denominations, is a common practice in America today. The tradition is said to have originated in the mid-1800s when Queen Victoria wore a white lace dress at her wedding to Prince Albert. Brides across England and America soon adopted the colour, and it has since become a popular symbol of status, purity, and innocence.
However, the white wedding dress is not the only option for brides today. More and more brides are opting for non-white wedding dresses to highlight their individuality and break free from traditional rules. From soft tones like blush, icy blue, champagne, and lavender to bolder hues like red, black, and gold, brides have a wide range of colours to choose from. For instance, a bride could opt for a dramatic black gown for an ultra-modern black-tie affair or a warm hue like champagne or blush for a romantic fall wedding.
Some brides may also choose to add a colourful accent or accessory to their white ensemble, infusing their unique style into the traditional white dress. Ultimately, the choice of wedding attire should reflect the bride's authentic self and what makes her feel comfortable and confident.
While the white wedding dress remains a popular tradition in America, it is not the only option, and brides are increasingly embracing the opportunity to express their individuality through their wedding attire, whether by incorporating a hint of colour or opting for a show-stopping non-white gown.
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Frequently asked questions
The white wedding dress tradition in America started with Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress when she married Prince Albert in 1840.
In Western culture, the colour white is often used to symbolise purity, grace, new beginnings, and innocence.
The white wedding dress is a widely accepted tradition in America and is considered traditional in Western culture. It is so common that wearing any other colour is seen as a deviation.
