George Boyle
The white wedding dress has become a symbol of weddings in modern times, but this tradition is relatively recent. The white wedding dress is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. As accounts of Victoria's wedding spread, other European leaders followed suit, and the white dress became a symbol of wealth and status. Today, the white wedding dress is often chosen to honour tradition and pay tribute to family customs and values.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purity | Innocence, virginity |
| Youth | New beginnings |
| Wealth | Status, prosperity |
| Timelessness | Tradition, family history |
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What You'll Learn
White wedding dresses symbolise purity and innocence
The white wedding dress is a tradition that began in Victorian England when Queen Victoria wore a white dress for her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. She was the first royal to wear white, and the style and colour of her gown were copied across continents as women aspired to emulate her.
Wearing a white wedding dress became a sign of wealth and status. Only wealthy brides could afford to wear a white silk gown, as they were wed in clean, elegant places that were removed from the grime of everyday life during the mid-19th century Industrial Age. These gowns were actually cream or ivory, which was more flattering to the complexion. The brilliant white wedding dress would not become popular in Europe and North America until the 1930s, and it would not become a common tradition until after World War II.
During World War II, U.S. wartime rations limited the amount of fabric that could be used to create a dress to one and three-quarters yards. The American Association of Bridal Manufacturers lobbied for an exemption, arguing that it was important to the morale of citizens and that soldiers were fighting for the privilege of getting married in a traditional way. They were ultimately successful, and the limitation order exempted wedding gowns.
After World War II, as society became more prosperous, the white, single-use wedding dress—and lavish party to show it off—became a distinctive part of the American dream. From WWII through the end of the 20th century, the white gown symbolized purity, virginity, and a lifetime commitment to one person. Today, white wedding dresses are more about tradition than anything else, symbolizing purity, innocence, new beginnings, and respect for family customs and values.
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White is a traditional colour, stemming from Queen Victoria's wedding dress
The white wedding dress is a tradition that is said to have originated with Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress for her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. The dress was made from white silk satin, adorned with intricate Honiton lace, and is thought to have set a trend for white wedding dresses that continues to this day.
Before Queen Victoria, wedding dresses were typically more colourful, with red being a particularly popular choice in Western Europe. Royal brides often wore gold or silver gowns, and white dresses were reserved for debutantes being presented at court for the first time. As a fashion-loving queen, Victoria's choice of a non-traditional dress is thought to have been a statement, and as accounts of her wedding spread, other elites followed suit. The white dress became a symbol of wealth and status, as only the wealthy could afford to wear a dress that was hard to keep clean.
Over time, the symbolism of the white wedding dress evolved, and it began to be associated with purity, innocence, youth, and new beginnings. This symbolism may have been influenced by the ancient Greeks, who used white robes to symbolise similar concepts. Today, the choice to wear a white wedding dress is often seen as a way to honour tradition and pay tribute to family expectations, particularly for brides from traditional families.
While the white wedding dress is still the overwhelming choice for brides in Western cultures, it is important to note that this tradition is not universal. In many Middle Eastern, African, and South American countries, the traditional bridal dress is brightly coloured, and in India and China, white is associated with mourning rather than weddings.
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White symbolises wealth and status
The white wedding dress has been a symbol of wealth and status since Queen Victoria wore a white gown to marry Prince Albert in 1840. As the first royal to do so, she set a trend for other elites to follow, and white wedding dresses became a symbol of wealth and status. The colour white was hard to maintain in the taxing laundry conditions of the 19th century, so only the wealthy could afford to wear it. In addition, the materials used to make Queen Victoria's dress—silk satin and Honiton lace—were costly, and only the very rich could afford a similar style.
The white wedding dress was further popularised by Hollywood and royalty, with the wedding of Diana Spencer and Charles, Prince of Wales, in 1981, providing another significant boost to the trend. The white dress was also favoured by brides in the post-World War II era, when increased prosperity meant that brides could afford to wear a dress only once.
In the mid-19th century Industrial Age, only wealthy brides could wear a white silk gown, as they were wed in clean, elegant places that were removed from the muck and grime of everyday life. These gowns were actually cream or ivory, which was more flattering to the complexion. It was not until the 1930s that brilliant white wedding dresses became popular in Europe and North America, and they did not become rooted in the public consciousness until World War II.
The white wedding dress is now the overwhelming choice for brides, with four out of five American brides choosing to wear white. It has become an iconic symbol of weddings and is expected as part of the celebration.
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White symbolises virginity and youth
The white wedding dress has been a matrimonial staple since Queen Victoria wore a white gown to her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. The fashion-conscious queen chose a non-traditional dress and flower crown for her wedding, and the style was soon emulated by women across the world who aspired to look like the young queen.
White wedding dresses quickly became a status symbol, as only wealthy brides could afford to wear white silk gowns, which were hard to keep clean during the mid-19th century Industrial Age. The colour white was also associated with purity and innocence, and it was further popularised by Hollywood and royalty.
In addition to purity and innocence, white symbolises virginity and youth. Fashion historian Kimberley Chrisman-Campbell notes that "one of the reasons white caught on and remains popular today is because it's an all-purpose symbol of innocence, purity, virginity, youth and new beginnings".
The colour white also signifies mourning in India and China, and brides traditionally wear red, which symbolises prosperity and fertility. In Roman times, brides wore yellow and red to symbolise fire scaring off evil spirits, while in ancient Greece, white robes were used to symbolise youth, joy, and purity.
Today, the choice to wear a white wedding dress is often more about tradition than any specific symbolism. It has become an iconic symbol of weddings and is expected as part of the celebration, with 4 out of 5 American brides choosing to wear white.
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White symbolises a new beginning or a new chapter
The white wedding dress has been a matrimonial staple since Queen Victoria wore a white gown at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. The tradition of wearing white on one's wedding day has evolved over the years, and today, it symbolises more than just purity and innocence.
White is often associated with new beginnings or a new chapter in one's life. This idea is particularly relevant in the context of a wedding, where the bride and groom are starting their married life together and embarking on a new journey as a married couple. The colour white represents a fresh start and a blank slate, signifying that the couple is entering a new phase of their lives together.
In addition, the choice to wear white can also be a way for the bride to honour traditions and pay tribute to family customs and values. As Kate Wertsch, regional director at K&B Bridals and Tux, explains, "It's a way for the bride to blend the new chapter she's starting with her family history, creating a powerful and emotional connection to the past." Wearing white on one's wedding day can thus be seen as a way to respect and continue the traditions of the past while also looking forward to the future.
While the colour white is now commonly associated with weddings and bridal gowns, it is important to note that this tradition varies across cultures. In some cultures, such as in the Middle East, Africa, and South America, the traditional bridal dress is often brightly coloured. In India and China, white is even considered a colour of mourning, and brides typically wear red, which symbolises prosperity and fertility.
Despite these variations, the white wedding dress remains a popular choice for brides worldwide. In modern times, the colour white is often chosen for its timeless and classic appeal, reflecting the importance and significance of the wedding day as a new beginning.
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Frequently asked questions
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840.
Over time, the white wedding dress has come to symbolize purity, innocence, virginity, youth, new beginnings, and a lifetime commitment to one person. In the mid-19th century Industrial Age, only wealthy brides wore white silk gowns, making the color a symbol of status and wealth.
Intent on making a statement, the fashion-loving Queen chose a non-traditional dress and flower crown for her wedding to Prince Albert.
White wedding dresses became popular among the masses in the 1930s. However, middle-class British and American brides did not fully adopt the trend until after World War II.
