George Boyle
In modern times, wearing a black wedding dress is a bold and unconventional choice for brides. However, in the past, it was a common tradition in several countries. From the early 1800s to around 1840, brides in Spain, Finland, and Scotland wore black wedding dresses. In Germany, it was a Wendish tradition for brides to wear black. In Spain, wearing black symbolised the bride's vow to love her groom until death. Additionally, wearing black was a practical choice, as dark colours do not show stains easily, and a black dress could be worn on multiple occasions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain, Scotland, Finland, Germany |
| Time period | 1800s to 1960s |
| Reasoning | Practicality, poverty, symbolism |
| Modern popularity | Increasing |
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What You'll Learn
Spanish tradition
In Spain, it was customary for brides to wear black wedding dresses from the early 1800s to the mid-1900s. This tradition stemmed from the practicality of purchasing a dress that could be worn to various occasions, including church services and funerals, as many people could only afford one fancy dress in their lifetime. The colour black was also associated with a Catholic bride's commitment to her marriage until death.
The traditional Spanish black wedding dress was often made of lace and paired with a "mantilla," a black lace veil that symbolised the bride's devotion to her marriage. This combination of a black lace gown and mantilla remained fashionable even as Spanish brides started to favour white dresses for their weddings.
In addition to their wedding attire, Spanish wedding traditions include unique customs such as the role of "padrinos" or godparents, who ensure that the bride and groom do not see each other before the wedding. The bride's padrino is typically her father, while the groom's padrino is his mother. At the reception, both sets of parents join the newlyweds at a head table for six.
Another Spanish wedding tradition is the choice of wedding flowers. Orange blossoms, which symbolise joy, happiness, and fertility, are the traditional Spanish wedding flower. This choice is influenced by the prevalence of orange trees in Spain, filling the air with the fragrant scent of orange blossoms.
While the tradition of wearing black wedding dresses in Spain has evolved, with brides now favouring white gowns, the country's rich cultural heritage and romantic traditions continue to inspire and influence wedding customs around the world.
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Scottish tradition
In the past, brides in the West wore their best dress to their wedding, which was often a black dress. Black wedding dresses were a traditional part of bridal customs in Scotland, Finland, and Germany, as well as for Roman Catholic brides in Spain.
Queen Victoria is credited with starting the trend for white wedding dresses when she married Prince Albert in 1840. Before this, brides wore a variety of colours, including black.
In modern times, black wedding dresses have made a comeback as brides seek to express their individuality and move away from traditional expectations. Black is a bold and unique choice that makes a statement and can be a versatile colour scheme for a wedding.
For those marrying on the Isle of Skye, a black dress can complement the stunning landscape, creating a beautiful contrast with the Black Cuilin Mountains in the distance.
Black wedding dresses can be designed in a variety of styles and silhouettes, from soft and sheer fabrics like lace and tulle with nude lining to more opaque fabrics like satin for a solid black look.
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German tradition
In the early 1800s, brides wore wedding gowns of various colours, including black. There were several reasons for this choice. Firstly, a darker-coloured dress would not get dirty as easily as a white or light-coloured gown. Secondly, a black dress could be worn on multiple occasions, including formal events and funerals, making it a more practical and cost-effective option. Dyeing cloth black was an expensive process, so owning a black dress was a luxury that only those with higher incomes could afford.
In Germany, it was a tradition for Lutheran brides, including Germans and Wends, to wear black wedding dresses as a symbol of seriousness rather than frivolity. This tradition was also observed by Queen Mary of Scots, who wore black to her husband's funeral. Additionally, during major wars such as World War I, brides in some cultures chose to wear black as an expression of the hardships and difficulties associated with marrying during a conflict.
The tradition of wearing black wedding dresses was not limited to Germany. Before 1840, brides from various cultures, including Spanish Catholics, Scots, Finns, and Germans, donned black gowns as part of their wedding day traditions. However, this changed when Queen Victoria, deviating from the traditional red worn by royal brides, chose to wear ivory when she married Prince Albert of Germany in 1840. This choice shocked and inspired brides not just in the UK and the US but internationally, marking a shift towards the colour white becoming the standard for wedding dresses.
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Finnish tradition
In the past, black was a popular wedding dress colour in Finland. However, this tradition has been disrupted by modernity, with white dresses now being the most common choice for brides. This shift towards white wedding dresses in Finland is influenced by Western traditions, where white symbolises purity and grace. This colour became popular after Queen Victoria wore a white wedding dress in 1840.
Today, Finnish weddings usually start with a marriage ceremony, either at a church or the wedding venue, followed by dinner and a party. The dress code is formal but flexible, with men typically wearing suits and women wearing dresses. While there is no strict dress code, it is considered polite to dress nicely, and black is usually avoided.
Finnish weddings are full-day events, typically starting around noon or early afternoon and ending in the evening. The couple often does not see each other right before the wedding, with the groom not seeing the bride in her wedding dress until the ceremony. The bride's father often escorts her to the altar, although sometimes the couple walks down the aisle together.
Before the wedding, the bride may participate in a bridal sauna, where her hair is washed with egg to represent fertility, or her back is washed with salt and flour to symbolise leaving the past behind and bringing wealth into the marriage. The bride's friends often plan this experience, which may also include songs, poems, and even spells.
During the ceremony, the groom lifts the bride's veil, either before or after the ceremony but before they turn to face the congregation. The bride's dress is usually long and white, sometimes with a short jacket or shawl, and the groom wears a black suit or tailcoat. The bride also wears a traditional bridal crown, or morsiuskruunu, adorned with fresh flowers or intricate silver designs. This crown symbolises the bride's purity and transition into womanhood, tracing its roots to pagan traditions.
After the ceremony, the couple presents themselves for a photo session before heading to the reception, which is usually held near the church at a rented hotel or restaurant. They arrive after the guests have settled, receiving hearty greetings and congratulations, along with sparkling toasts. The dinner often includes pitopöytä fare, with Karelian stew, boiled potatoes, salads, cold cuts, casseroles, meatballs, and rainbow trout. The reception also includes cake, dancing, and games, such as "stealing the bride," where the groom must perform tasks to rescue his bride after she is "kidnapped" by his friends.
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Wendish tradition
In the Wendish tradition, brides wore black wedding dresses in the mid-1800s to symbolise the hardships and difficulties they would face in married life. This custom was practised by young women who married in the Wendish Lutheran Church. The Wends, or Sorbs, are a Slavic people from Lusatia, Germany. In 1854, a group of 558 Wends, led by Kilian, left their homeland for Central Texas, where they formed a new colony and established Texas-Wendish Lutheranism.
Today, it is rare for brides in the United States to wear black wedding dresses, as white has become the customary colour. However, wearing a black dress with a white veil or headdress is considered elegant and formal.
In other cultures, wearing a black wedding dress can also symbolise mourning, formality, and prosperity. For example, during World War I, brides wore black to signify the hardships of the time. Additionally, black has been considered formal attire, and wearing black with white is seen as a sign of elegance.
In contrast to the Wendish tradition, Queen Victoria is credited with popularising the white wedding dress in the Western world. Before Queen Victoria, brides typically wore their best dress or a reusable dress in a darker colour. However, Queen Victoria's choice of a white silk satin gown adorned with intricate Honiton lace set a new trend, although only the wealthy could afford such luxurious fabrics at the time.
While the Wendish tradition of wearing black wedding dresses may no longer be common, it is fascinating to explore the history and symbolism behind this custom. Today, brides in the United States and Western world mostly adhere to the tradition of wearing white, influenced by Queen Victoria's iconic choice of dress.
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Frequently asked questions
Sources indicate that wearing black wedding dresses was traditional in Spain, Finland, and Scotland. One source also mentions Germany as a country where brides traditionally wore black wedding dresses.
There are several reasons why people wore black wedding dresses. One source mentions that in Spain, wearing a black wedding dress symbolised the bride's vow to love her groom until death. Another reason was that wedding dresses were expensive, and black was the least conspicuous colour for stains. Black dresses could also be worn to church, parties, funerals, and other occasions.
Black wedding dresses were the norm before 1840. In 1840, Queen Victoria wore a white dress to her wedding, which inspired brides internationally to do the same.
Black wedding dresses can symbolise power, mystery, and individuality. In the Catholic Church, loyalty is also attributed to the colour black.
