Junior Rasmussen
The colour of wedding dresses has evolved significantly over time, influenced by factors such as fashion trends, cultural traditions, societal values, and personal expression. In the past, brides wore various colours, with ancient Greek and Roman brides donning vibrant shades like saffron and yellow, while blue was a popular choice during the Middle Ages as it symbolised purity. It was only in 1840, when Queen Victoria wore a white wedding dress, that the colour became associated with weddings in Western cultures. Today, while white remains prevalent in the West, Eastern cultures often showcase colourful wedding attire, with red being a prominent choice to symbolise auspiciousness and joy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Color | White |
| Worn by | Queen Victoria |
| Year | 1840 |
| Fabric | Lace |
| Style | Long train |
| Symbolism | Purity, virginity, innocence, cleanliness, new beginnings |
| Other colors | Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Violet, Black, Gold, Silver, Pastels, Floral patterns |
| Regions | Western, Eastern, European, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Greek, Roman, Scandinavian, South American |
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What You'll Learn
White wedding dresses became popular in the Victorian era
The colour of wedding dresses has varied throughout history, with brides in ancient Athens wearing red and violet, and blue being a popular choice during the Middle Ages. In the Renaissance period, brides often opted for burgundy dresses, and in the 17th and 18th centuries, they wore corseted, bell-shaped gowns with long trains.
It was in the Victorian era, specifically in 1840, that white wedding dresses became popularised. This was due to Queen Victoria's choice to wear a white gown when she married Prince Albert. The dress was made of white satin and featured a deep flounce of Honiton lace, with the Queen's own jewellery providing a touch of colour. The widely published illustrations of the royal wedding influenced brides to follow suit, and white became a symbol of purity and virginity. This trend was further boosted in 1981 when Diana Spencer wore a white dress for her wedding to Charles, Prince of Wales, which was watched by 750 million people.
While Queen Victoria is credited with starting the tradition of white wedding dresses, it is important to note that Mary, Queen of Scots, wore a white wedding dress in 1559 when she married her first husband, Francis, the Dauphin of France. However, this was not a widespread trend, as white was the colour of mourning for French queens.
In the 19th century, wearing white at weddings became associated with wealth, as it was a colour that could be easily soiled and, therefore, indicated that the bride's family could afford for her to wear an elaborate dress that would likely be ruined. This shift towards white wedding dresses also coincided with societal expectations of women's modesty and innocence.
While white wedding dresses became popular in the Victorian era, it is worth noting that they did not become standard for middle-class British and American brides until after World War II. In the 21st century, Western brides often still wear white to symbolise purity and grace, while Eastern brides frequently choose red to symbolise auspiciousness.
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Colour choice is influenced by religion and culture
The colour of a wedding dress is influenced by several factors, including the religion and culture of the participants, as well as personal preferences and seasonal considerations.
Western Culture
In Western culture, the colour white is often chosen for wedding dresses to symbolise purity and grace. This tradition is said to have started with Queen Victoria, who wore a white wedding dress when she married in 1840. However, it's important to note that in some Western countries like Finland, black was once a popular choice for wedding dresses. Additionally, in modern times, some brides in Western cultures have opted for coloured wedding dresses in shades like blush pink, champagne, navy blue, or even black.
Eastern Culture
In Eastern cultures, brides often choose red wedding dresses to symbolise good luck, happiness, and joy. This tradition is prevalent in Chinese and Indian cultures. However, in modern times, some brides in Eastern cultures may choose to wear a white Western-style dress or change into a white gown later in the day.
Religious Influence
Religion also plays a significant role in wedding dress colour choice. For example, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, white is used to symbolise purity, innocence, and cleanliness, and brides are instructed to wear modest white dresses. In some cultures, like traditional Kurdish society, a first-time bride would wear a red dress to symbolise postcoital bleeding and virginity, while a bride who had been married before might wear pink.
Cultural Significance
In some cultures, the colour and style of wedding dresses can vary depending on the specific region or tribe. For example, in Peru, brides typically wear bright colours and eye-catching geometric patterns, with polleras, or colourful, multi-layered woollen skirts. On the other hand, in Japan, brides often choose a pure white kimono for the ceremony and colourful kimonos for the reception. In Kenya, while many weddings follow Western styles, some couples choose to incorporate traditional African prints or embellishments into their wedding attire.
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Ancient Greek and Roman brides wore bold colours
Wedding dresses have evolved over the centuries, with colours and styles changing according to cultural traditions, societal values, and personal expression. In ancient times, brides wore bright colours to express their happiness on this special occasion.
In ancient Greece, literary sources and red-figure pottery depict brides wearing veils and silvery or purple gowns. The colour purple was associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of sexual love, and may have symbolised the bride's sexuality. In addition, Greek brides wore garlands of flowers and gold jewellery, further emphasising their attractiveness and maturity.
In ancient Rome, brides wore a plain white woollen tunica recta under a white stola. Wool was considered a lucky fabric that repelled evil, and the bride's garment was tied at the waist with a woollen sash to provide extra protection. The flammeum, a yellow-red or orange veil, was a significant part of the Roman bridal attire, symbolising faithfulness and fertility.
While white wedding dresses became popular in Western cultures after Queen Victoria's marriage in 1840, ancient Greek and Roman brides often wore bold colours, reflecting the cultural and symbolic significance of their attire.
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Blue was popular in the Middle Ages
Wedding dresses have evolved significantly, with colours and styles shifting due to aesthetic preferences, cultural trends, and technological advancements. In Western cultures, white wedding dresses have come to symbolise purity and grace, whereas Eastern cultures often feature colourful garments imbued with symbolic meanings.
However, white wedding dresses only became popular in the 19th century after Queen Victoria wore one at her wedding to Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840. Illustrations of the wedding were widely circulated, and many brides opted for white in accordance with the Queen's choice. White was originally a symbol of mourning for French queens, and later became associated with purity and virginity in the church.
Prior to the Victorian era, brides wore a variety of colours, with black being a popular choice in Finland. In ancient times, brides wore bright colours to express happiness, such as red and violet in Athens, and bold shades of saffron, purple, and yellow in Ancient Greece and Rome.
During the Middle Ages, blue was a popular choice for wedding dresses as it symbolised purity, fidelity, and the Virgin Mary. It was believed to ward off evil and demons, and the colour was also associated with royalty and nobility. The shade of blue worn by a bride indicated her social status, with royalty and the wealthy elite choosing rich, jewel-toned blues achieved with expensive dyes like ultramarine or cobalt. Poorer brides wore paler shades of blue created with cheaper dyes like woad or indigo. Medieval wedding dresses were sometimes accented with fur trim or ermine as additional displays of wealth.
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Modern brides often prefer white or ivory
The colour of wedding dresses has varied across history, with brides in ancient Greece and Rome wearing bold colours like flame, saffron, purple, and yellow, while blue was a popular choice in medieval times. White wedding dresses only became popular after Queen Victoria wore one when she married in 1840. The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is, therefore, less than 200 years old.
In Western cultures, white wedding gowns have symbolised purity and grace since the 19th century, with the colour white being associated with purity and virginity in the Christian church. In Eastern cultures, brides often wear red to symbolise auspiciousness, life, luck, and celebration.
While white wedding dresses remain popular in Western cultures, modern brides are not limited to this colour and can choose any colour they prefer. That being said, many modern brides still prefer white or ivory dresses, perhaps due to the continued association of white with purity and new beginnings. Ivory, a colour similar to white, may be preferred by modern brides who want a dress that is traditional yet unique. Additionally, white and ivory dresses remain popular as they can be easily found in bridal shops, as they are considered classic colours for wedding dresses.
Furthermore, white and ivory dresses may be preferred by modern brides who want a simple and elegant look, as these colours are often considered sleek and sophisticated. Some modern brides may also choose white or ivory dresses as they can be easily accessorized with colourful or decorative elements, such as shoes, veils, or jewellery, allowing for a more personalized touch. Ultimately, the choice of dress colour depends on the individual bride's preferences, and some modern brides may opt for colourful or non-traditional dresses that reflect their unique style and personality.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no definitive answer as wedding dresses have existed for thousands of years, and fashion trends have changed over time. In different cultures and eras, brides have worn a variety of colors, including red, violet, blue, yellow, saffron, purple, gold, and silver.
White wedding dresses became popular after Queen Victoria wore a white gown when she married Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840. Illustrations of the wedding were widely published, and many brides opted for white following the Queen's choice.
Queen Victoria chose to wear a white wedding dress because it was her favorite color. White was also the color of mourning for French queens at the time.
In Western cultures, white wedding dresses have symbolized purity, grace, innocence, and cleanliness since the 19th century. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, white is used to symbolize unity and equality before God.
Yes, in Eastern cultures, brides often wear red wedding dresses to symbolize auspiciousness, life, luck, and celebration. In Japan, brides typically wear a white kimono during the wedding ceremony and change into a red kimono for the reception.
