George Boyle
Wedding dresses have come a long way, from being a symbol of wealth and status to becoming a symbol of purity and innocence. Before Queen Victoria's wedding to Prince Albert in 1840, bridal gowns were usually fashioned in rich colours and elegant fabrics like velvet and silk. The extravagance of the gown was a way for families to display their wealth and status. Royal brides wore a variety of hues, with red being one of the most popular choices. White dresses, though not uncommon, were reserved for women being presented at court.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time period | Before the mid-1800s |
| Colors | Red, blue, gold, silver, green, yellow |
| Fabrics | Velvet, silk, fur |
| Reuse | Wedding dresses were worn several times during a lifetime |
| Symbolism | Wealth, status, purity, virginity |
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What You'll Learn
White was uncommon
Before Queen Victoria's wedding to Prince Albert in 1840, white was an uncommon choice for a wedding dress. This was largely because white dresses were difficult to keep clean, and only the wealthiest could afford a dress that would be worn only once. Most brides would have their wedding gowns made in a colour that depicted their age and purity to their betrothed. A colourful dress was also more likely to be worn again for other events.
Wealthy brides would often wear jewel-toned dresses edged in fur and embroidered with gold and silver to make a statement about their status. In China, red was a common choice, as it represented luck and wealth. In ancient Morocco, green and yellow were popular for similar reasons. Another colour option that was popular for wealthy families was blue, as it was associated with the Virgin Mary.
White dresses were not unheard of before Queen Victoria, however. In 1558, Mary Queen of Scots wore white when she married the soon-to-be King of France, despite white being a colour of mourning for French queens. For the next few centuries, white remained a popular, though not obligatory, colour for royal weddings. It was not associated with virginity or purity, but rather with wealth, as they were harder to keep clean and thus more expensive.
Queen Victoria's choice of a white wedding dress was therefore unusual for her time, but not unprecedented. Her decision to wear white shocked her seamstress, but as illustrations and descriptions of the queen's wedding dress spread, other European leaders followed suit. White dresses gained new symbolism, coming to signify purity and innocence, in addition to wealth. They also looked good in early black-and-white or sepia-toned photographs, providing a distinct background to showcase the bride's beauty.
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Red was popular
Before Queen Victoria's wedding to Prince Albert in 1840, wedding dresses were usually fashioned from rich colours and elegant and/or rare fabrics. Red was one of the most popular colours for wedding dresses before Queen Victoria's wedding. In China, red was a common choice as it represented luck and wealth. In modern-day India, red is still the common colour for a bridal saree.
In Japan, red is also considered a lucky colour. Japanese brides often wear a white kimono for the ceremony and then change into a red kimono for the reception. In English superstitions, however, the combination of red and white symbolises blood.
The colour blue was also a popular choice for wedding dresses before Queen Victoria's wedding. The Virgin Mary is often depicted wearing a blue shawl, creating the mindset that blue represents purity.
Wealthy brides would also wear jewel-toned dresses edged in fur and embroidered with gold and silver to display their status.
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Colour indicated age and purity
The colour of a wedding dress before Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840 was often chosen to indicate the age and purity of the bride. Wedding dresses were typically rich in colour, made from elegant and rare fabrics such as velvet and silk, and sometimes included fur. The extravagance of the gown was essential as weddings were a venue to display the wealth of the family.
Wealthy brides would wear jewel-toned dresses with gold and silver embroidery to showcase their status. In China, red was a common choice as it represented luck and wealth, while in ancient Morocco, green and yellow were chosen for similar reasons. Blue was also a popular colour choice, as it had long been associated with the Virgin Mary.
White dresses were uncommon before Queen Victoria's wedding, as they were difficult to keep clean and were therefore expensive to maintain. They were also reserved for women being presented at court. However, Mary, Queen of Scots, wore white when she married the soon-to-be King of France in 1558, despite white being a colour of mourning for French queens.
The colour of a wedding dress often indicated the age and purity of the bride. White dresses, though not symbolic of virginity or purity originally, were costly and challenging to keep clean, so they communicated the status and wealth of the wearer.
After Queen Victoria's wedding, the colour white gained new symbolism, coming to signify purity and innocence in addition to wealth. White dresses also stood out in early black-and-white and sepia-toned photographs, making them popular among brides who wanted their dresses to stand out.
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Wealthy brides wore jewel tones
Wedding dresses before Queen Victoria's marriage to Prince Albert in 1840 were often colourful, with royal brides wearing a variety of hues. Wealthy brides, in particular, wore jewel tones, such as rich reds, blues, greens, and yellows, which were considered colours of luck, wealth, and purity. These dresses were also made from luxurious fabrics like velvet and silk and trimmed with fur and gold and silver embroidery. This extravagance served as a display of the family's social status and wealth.
Wealthy brides chose jewel tones for their wedding dresses to showcase their financial means and social status. These vibrant colours were not only a sign of opulence but also held symbolic significance. For instance, red symbolised luck and wealth in China, while blue was associated with the Virgin Mary and, thus, represented purity. Additionally, yellow was believed to offer protection and ward off evil eyes in ancient Morocco.
The choice of colour for wealthy brides' dresses was also influenced by the fact that these garments were often expected to be worn multiple times. A colourful wedding dress could be reused for special occasions, whereas a white dress, being difficult to keep clean, was more likely to be worn only once. This practicality influenced the decision to choose jewel tones over white, which was not yet a common choice for wedding gowns.
The trend of wearing jewel-toned wedding dresses was not limited to a specific region or culture. For example, in China, red was a popular choice due to its association with luck and wealth. Similarly, in ancient Morocco, green and yellow were favoured for their symbolic meanings of wealth and protection, respectively. These colours allowed wealthy brides to convey a message of prosperity and status through their wedding attire.
The practice of wearing white wedding dresses became popularised by Queen Victoria, who chose a non-traditional cream-coloured dress for her wedding. Prior to this, wealthy brides often opted for jewel tones, but Queen Victoria's choice set a new trend that symbolised purity and innocence, in addition to wealth. As photography gained popularity, white dresses also stood out in early black-and-white and sepia-toned portraits, further contributing to their rise in popularity.
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White was hard to keep clean
The tradition of wearing white wedding dresses was started by Queen Victoria when she married Prince Albert in 1840. She requested that her dress be made from the finest lace, which at the time, was only available in white. The colour of her dress was unusual, as white was hard to keep clean and was reserved for women being presented at court.
Washing clothing in the 19th century was a laborious task, as it all had to be done by hand. A white dress of any style would have been almost impossible to keep clean. For this reason, white dresses were a statement of wealth and status. Only the wealthiest could afford a dress that would be worn only once.
Before Queen Victoria, wedding dresses were usually made from rich colours and elegant and/or rare fabrics. Velvet and silk were popular choices, and some dresses were made with fur. The extravagance of the gown was a way to assert the wealth of the family. Brides wore their wedding dresses several times throughout their lives, and often passed them down through generations.
The colour white became associated with purity and virginity, and it also looked good in early black-and-white and sepia-toned photographs. As photography and wedding portraits became more popular, white dresses stood out and provided a good background to showcase the bride's beauty.
Today, brides are increasingly choosing wedding dresses in colours other than white for sustainability reasons. They plan to re-wear their dress for other occasions, just like brides before Queen Victoria.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding dresses before Queen Victoria were usually fashioned in rich colours and elegant and/or rare fabrics. Velvet and silk were popular selections, and some designers incorporated fur. The extravagance of the gown was essential because the wedding was an opportunity to assert the extent of the family's wealth.
Red was one of the most popular colours for wedding dresses before Queen Victoria. In China, red was a common choice as it represented luck and wealth. In ancient Morocco, green was common for similar reasons, and yellow was believed to offer protection from evil eyes. Blue was also a popular choice, associated with the Virgin Mary and, therefore, purity.
Queen Victoria wore a white wedding dress because she wanted her dress made with the finest lace, which at the time was only available in white. The colour white was also a non-traditional choice, and Queen Victoria was fashion-loving and intent on making a statement.
