Franklin Dean
The white wedding dress is a common tradition in the Western world. While the tradition is believed by some to have originated with Anne of Brittany's marriage to Louis XII of France in 1499, it was popularised by Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. White wedding dresses were soon associated with wealth and status, as only wealthy brides could afford to wear a dress that could not be easily cleaned and reused. Over time, the colour white also came to be associated with purity and innocence, and today, it is a traditional choice for brides.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | White is associated with light, goodness, purity, innocence, virginity, youth, and new beginnings. |
| Tradition | 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. |
| Wealth and status | White wedding dresses were a sign of wealth and status, as only wealthy brides could wear a white silk gown, and the dress could be easily ruined by any sort of work or spill. |
| Religion | The colour white is used in religious rites to express high religious commitment. |
| Practicality | White is not a practical colour as it is difficult to keep clean and is not ideal for repeat wear. |
| Popularity | White is the overwhelming choice for brides, with 4 out of 5 or 83% of brides choosing to wear white. |
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White wedding dresses and their history
The white wedding dress is a common tradition in the Western world. However, this tradition did not originate with Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress for her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840, as is commonly believed. In fact, the practice likely traces back more than 2,000 years to the Roman Republic (509 B.C. – 27 B.C.), when brides wore white tunics to symbolise purity and chastity. White was also associated with Vesta, the virgin goddess of hearth, home and family.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, white wedding attire fell out of fashion. Medieval brides often wore colourful dresses, with red and violet being popular in ancient Athens and black being a popular choice in 17th-century Spain. In the Middle Ages and up until the mid-19th century, most brides simply wore their best dress or purchased a new gown that could be worn again.
Queen Victoria's decision to wear a white wedding dress was reportedly to showcase the detailed British lace that was produced by the floundering British lace industry. The choice of a white wedding dress was soon replicated across continents, with women aspiring to emulate the young, attractive queen. White wedding dresses became a sign of wealth and status, as only wealthy brides could afford to wear a white silk gown that could easily be ruined by any sort of work or spill.
The white wedding dress became increasingly popular in the 20th century, with 750 million people watching Diana Spencer wear a white dress for her wedding to Charles, Prince of Wales, in 1981. Today, white is the overwhelming choice for brides, with 4 out of 5 American brides choosing to wear a white gown. Despite the relative newness of the tradition, white has become an iconic symbol of weddings and is now largely chosen due to its associations with tradition.
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Symbolism of the colour white
The colour white has long been associated with purity and virtue in many societies, and this is one reason why some brides choose to wear white, especially in the West. In the Roman Republic (509 B.C. - 27 B.C.), the colour white represented a woman's chastity and her transition to a married Roman matron. It was also associated with Vesta, the virgin goddess of hearth, home and family.
White is also the colour in Western culture most often associated with beginnings. Religious rites and the clothing associated with them have always been important, and white is a common colour used to express high religious commitment.
In the mid-19th century, white wedding dresses were primarily for young and wealthy brides. 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 life during the Industrial Age. White dresses provided an opportunity for conspicuous consumption, allowing the bride's family to show that they were so wealthy that the bride could choose an elaborate dress that could be easily ruined.
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. Royal weddings have always received a lot of coverage, and Victoria's choice of a white gown was widely reported in newspapers and magazines, soon influencing domestic and international wedding trends.
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White wedding dresses in popular culture
The white wedding dress is a widely accepted form of wedding attire in Western culture. The tradition is believed to have originated with Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress for her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. The widespread publication of her wedding portrait further popularised the trend, as women sought to imitate her style and elegance. The image of a radiant bride in a white gown became deeply ingrained in popular culture and continues to influence bridal fashion to this day.
The association between white dresses and weddings was further cemented by Hollywood and the mass media. In 1956, film footage and photographs of Grace Kelly's wedding gown circulated globally. The royal wedding of Diana Spencer and Charles, Prince of Wales, in 1981, where the princess wore an ivory silk taffeta gown with an 8-metre train, was watched by 750 million people and gave another significant boost to the white wedding style. More recently, the wedding dresses of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle have inspired copies overnight.
The white wedding dress has also been influenced by societal changes and marketing strategies. After World War II, as society became more prosperous, the tradition of wearing the wedding dress only once emerged. The bridal industry promoted more expensive floor-length gowns, with wedding magazines and advertisements playing a role in popularising this trend. In the 1960s, the Bridal Apparel Association even commissioned studies that attempted to prove that a white wedding dress led to a more stable marriage.
While the white wedding dress remains a timeless symbol of love and commitment, modern brides are increasingly embracing alternative options. The marriage of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in 2018 brought forth a desire for simpler wedding dresses. Brides today are encouraged to choose a dress that reflects their unique style and makes them feel their most beautiful, regardless of colour or design.
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White wedding dresses in other cultures
The white wedding dress is a popular choice for brides in the United States and many European countries. However, in other parts of the world, traditional wedding attire varies significantly, with brides often opting for colourful and elaborately designed outfits.
In India, for instance, brides typically wear vibrant saris, usually in red, a colour that symbolises good luck. Similarly, in Pakistan, brides wear colourful tunics, or ghararas, often in gold, yellow, purple, pink or red, with jewelled accents in their veils. In Ghana, traditional wedding dresses are made from Kente cloth, which is typically gold and yellow, while in Nigeria, brides wear shimmering Gele head wraps with matching coloured dresses or cultural patterned print dresses. In China, red is also a popular colour for wedding dresses, symbolising happiness, life and a deterrent to evil.
In some cultures, white is chosen for its association with purity and virginity. In Japan, for instance, white has long been the colour of choice for bridal ensembles, with the Shinto wedding style featuring a white shiromuku, symbolising the bride's willingness to enter the marriage as a "blank slate". In Peru, many brides also wear classic white dresses, although in the countryside, older traditions are maintained, with colourful geometric patterns outlining the bride's outfit.
In other cultures, white is not the typical choice for wedding dresses but is sometimes worn. In Norway, for instance, many brides wear white gowns, although some uphold the traditional Norwegian bunad. In Tibet, betrothed women taking part in traditional ceremonies wear a white woollen dress with a colourful apron or robe.
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Alternatives to white wedding dresses
The colour white has long been associated with purity and virtue in many societies, and that is one reason why some brides choose to wear white. However, historically, white was not the only colour considered for wedding dresses. In Western societies, wedding dresses were often chosen for their practicality and were usually the best dress the bride already owned.
If you are looking for alternatives to a white wedding dress, there are many options to choose from. You can find non-traditional bridal gowns in any colour, including black, red, beige, pink, blue, or gold. You can also choose from a variety of lengths, silhouettes, and styles, such as mini or midi dresses. Floral embroidered, celestial, and colourful non-traditional wedding dresses are also available, as well as short reception or elopement boho-style gowns.
Non-traditional wedding dresses are a great way to celebrate your unique style and taste. You can find these dresses in a wide range of unique and unconventional styles, ensuring a perfect fit with high-quality fabrics and custom sizing options.
Some brides may choose to wear a non-white wedding dress for cultural reasons. In some Swedish weddings, for example, the bride and groom usually walk down the aisle together, and the groom may be escorted to the altar by his family.
Ultimately, the choice of wedding dress colour and style is a personal decision. While white is the overwhelming choice for many brides, non-traditional options offer a modern and stylish way to celebrate your special day.
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Frequently asked questions
The colour white has long been associated with purity, innocence, youth, and new beginnings in Western culture. 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.
In many societies, the colour white has been associated with purity and virtue. In the Roman Republic (509 B.C. - 27 B.C.), the colour white represented a woman's chastity and her transition to a married Roman matron.
There are a few reasons why Queen Victoria chose to wear a white wedding dress. One reason was to show off the detailed Honiton lace produced by the British lace industry, which was floundering at the time. Another reason could be that white was a common colour used to express high religious commitment.
Over time, the 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.
Yes, there are no strict rules that dictate the colour of a wedding dress. In ancient Athens, red and violet were popular colours for wedding dresses, while medieval brides often wore colourful dresses. Today, many brides choose to wear dresses of different colours, such as blue or black.
