Lyla Dejesus
Wedding dresses have evolved and adapted to reflect changing styles and trends, with modern brides choosing from a wide range of styles that allow them to express their individuality. In Western cultures, white wedding gowns have symbolized purity and grace since the 19th century, popularized by Queen Victoria and Princess Charlotte, who wore ivory and white dresses, respectively. In Eastern cultures, brides often wear elaborate, colorful garments imbued with symbolic meanings unique to each region. In the United States, traditional wedding dress colors include white, ivory, and blush and light pastels, with urban brides in cities like New York and Los Angeles favoring minimalist styles and non-traditional colors or patterns.
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What You'll Learn
White symbolises purity, innocence, and cleanliness
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the colour white symbolises purity, innocence, and cleanliness, especially in religious ceremonies such as weddings. White wedding dresses have been a tradition in Western cultures since Queen Victoria wore a white wedding dress to marry Prince Albert in 1840. In the Victorian era, only wealthy women could afford the elaborate white gowns, which required numerous fittings and layers of fabric. Keeping a white dress immaculately clean was a display of wealth.
In the 21st century, white and ivory are among the most popular wedding gown colours, though some brides opt for non-traditional colours like black, blue, and lavender. In the early 21st century, many wedding dresses were sleeveless and strapless, while other brides preferred styles with sleeves, higher necklines, and covered backs. The latest designs, as of 2024, feature drop-waist silhouettes, convertible gowns, intricate crystal embellishments, and vintage charm.
White wedding dresses are also a statement of elegance and grace, making them a great choice for brides seeking a classic style. While white wedding dresses traditionally symbolised purity, this tradition has largely faded, with modern brides choosing dress colours that are the most flattering and aesthetically pleasing. For instance, pure white often looks best on medium or darker skin tones, as the bright shade can wash out fairer brides. Antique ivory, a slightly darker hue of white, is a popular choice for brides who want a traditional bridal white but are worried about being washed out by a bright white dress.
In the past, brides were limited by restrictive social norms and a lack of resources, but modern brides are free to abandon these confines and select a dress that expresses their unique personality.
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Ivory is a creamy, warm colour
Wedding dresses have evolved and adapted to reflect changing styles and trends, while still retaining elements of tradition. In Western cultures, white wedding gowns have symbolized purity and grace since the 19th century, when Queen Victoria wore a white wedding dress to marry Prince Albert in 1840. White dresses were also a symbol of wealth, as only the wealthy could afford the numerous fittings and layers of fabric needed to construct the elaborate gowns and keep them immaculately clean.
In addition to ivory, off-white wedding dresses are another option that is slightly warmer than white but not as warm as ivory, making it a flattering choice for all skin tones. Antique ivory is another variation, which is a darker hue of white that can be a good choice for brides who want a traditional bridal look without the brightness of an all-ivory dress.
Today, brides have a wide range of options when it comes to wedding dress colours, from pastel shades like blush and champagne to non-traditional colours like black, blue, and lavender. Ultimately, the choice of wedding dress colour depends on what makes the bride feel their best and fits their bridal vision.
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Blush is a soft, romantic look
Wedding dresses have evolved and adapted to reflect changing styles and trends, while still retaining elements of tradition. The traditional American wedding dress is white or ivory, symbolising purity and innocence. However, modern brides are increasingly choosing a variety of colours, including blush.
Blush wedding dresses offer a soft, romantic, and modern look for brides who want a contemporary twist on a traditional bridal style. From pale pastel shades to deeper rich hues of rosy and pink hues, there is a blush dress for every bride. Blush gowns can be paired with accessories in complementary colours, such as rose gold, yellow gold, or rubies.
Blush wedding dresses are available in a range of silhouettes, including A-line, mermaid, and ball gowns, as well as different necklines such as V-neck, sweetheart, and illusion necklines. They can be made from a variety of fabrics, including tulle, lace, and satin, and can feature intricate details such as beading, ruffles, and embroidery.
The blush colour is a soft pink hue that adds a contemporary flair and provides contrast to highlight the gown's details. It is a popular choice for brides who want a romantic and modern look, with both up-and-coming and renowned designers showcasing blush creations. Blush dresses can also be used as lining colours to make an off-white lace gown stand out.
In conclusion, blush is a soft and romantic colour for American wedding dresses, offering a modern take on traditional bridal styles. With a range of shades and styles available, blush gowns are a popular choice for brides who want to add a contemporary touch to their wedding attire.
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Blue symbolises the Virgin Mary
In American culture, traditional wedding dresses are usually white or ivory, symbolising purity and innocence. However, modern brides may opt for non-traditional colours like black, blue, or lavender.
Blue is a colour often associated with the Virgin Mary, a significant figure in Christianity as the mother of Christ and all humanity. In Christian art, the Virgin Mary is commonly depicted wearing a blue veil or head covering, with the shade ranging from light to dark blue.
The colour blue has various symbolic meanings when associated with the Virgin Mary. In the Byzantine/Orthodox tradition, blue represents transcendence, mystery, and the divine, reflecting the colour of the sky and, by extension, heaven. Dark blue, specifically, symbolises the majesty and glory of Mary as the Queen of Heaven, while light blue conveys her gentleness, purity, tenderness, and maternal qualities.
In the Bible, blue is mentioned as the colour of the tassels on the garments of the people of Israel, reminding them to follow God's commandments. Additionally, in ancient cultures like Ancient Rome, the Byzantine Empire, and Egypt, blue was often reserved for royalty, further elevating the status of the Virgin Mary.
The use of blue in depictions of the Virgin Mary may also have been influenced by the value of the blue pigment derived from lapis lazuli in Medieval and Renaissance Europe. Patrons commissioning paintings of the Virgin Mary expressed their devotion by using this costly pigment. Thus, the colour blue in these artworks symbolises the reverence and glorification of the Virgin Mary.
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Red symbolises luck and fertility
In several cultures, the colour red is chosen for wedding dresses to bring good luck and symbolise fertility. In Chinese culture, red is traditionally worn by the bride as it symbolises luck, fertility, and fortune. Similarly, in Eastern countries, red is worn at weddings for good luck. In the past, Kurdish first-time brides wore red to symbolise the postcoital bleeding they would experience after losing their virginity.
In the 18th century, yellow was a popular wedding dress colour in America, perhaps due to its association with Hymen, the god of marriage for the Romans. In Roman times, yellow was also associated with fertility.
In Western cultures, white wedding gowns have symbolised purity and grace since the 19th century, sparked by Queen Victoria's white wedding dress in 1840. However, this tradition has largely faded, with brides increasingly choosing wedding dress colours that are the most flattering and fit their aesthetic preferences.
Today, brides can select any colour for their wedding dress, with some of the most popular colours being shades of off-white, ivory, and blush. Some brides may also opt for a gown with a lining in a shade of blush or nude to make the details on their dresses stand out.
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Frequently asked questions
Traditional American wedding dresses are usually white, symbolizing purity, innocence, and new beginnings.
Ivory is another traditional color, denoting refinement and timeless elegance. Blush and light pastels are also traditional colors for American wedding dresses, representing romance, youth, and joy.
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress in America is less than 200 years old. It was popularized by Queen Victoria, who wore white to symbolize her purity and innocence.
