The Mystery Of The White Wedding In Scripture

A white wedding is a traditional formal or semi-formal wedding that originated in Great Britain. The term comes from the colour of the wedding dress, which symbolises purity and innocence. Although wearing white is a Western tradition, it is not required for a Christian wedding. In fact, the association of white wedding dresses with purity and virginity is a recent phenomenon.

The white dress and its meaning

The white wedding dress is a tradition that is often associated with Christian weddings in the Western world. The white dress has become a symbol of Christian weddings, just like wedding bands and diamond engagement rings. The colour white is usually linked to innocence and purity, qualities that are valued by Christians. However, this association is quite recent, with the tradition of wearing white at weddings only becoming popular in the 19th century.

History of the White Dress

The white wedding dress tradition is commonly attributed to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress to her wedding with Prince Albert in 1840. Prior to this, royal brides did not typically wear white, opting instead for heavy brocaded gowns embroidered with white and silver thread. Debutantes were required to wear white court dresses and long white gloves for their first presentation at court, and Queen Victoria, as a young woman, wanted to marry as a woman in love rather than as a monarch. She chose white satin because it was simple and would display the handmade Honiton lace from Beer, Devon, which she hoped would boost the declining lace industry.

The Spread of the White Dress Tradition

The white dress became popular with Victorian era elites after Queen Victoria's wedding. However, it was not until the middle of the 19th century that white wedding dresses became the norm, largely due to Queen Victoria's influence. In 1849, Godey's Lady's Book, considered the "Vogue of the Victorian world", declared that "white is the most fitting hue" for brides, noting that it symbolised "the purity and innocence of girlhood, and the unsullied heart she now yields to the chosen one." This idea was further reinforced by the white gowns worn by Catholic girls during their First Communion and christening ceremonies.

Cultural Variations

It is important to note that the tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is largely confined to Western Christians. In many Eastern weddings, red is the colour of choice as it is associated with good luck. In some cultures, white is still considered a mourning colour, and brides may opt for different colours to walk down the aisle. For example, an Indian Christian bride is more likely to wear a red sari than a white dress.

Evolving Trends

While the white wedding dress remains the overwhelming norm in the West, an increasing number of brides are adding colour to their dresses or choosing non-white dresses altogether. These weddings are no less Christian, as it is the vows and the people that determine the religious nature of the wedding, not the colour of the bride's dress.

The history of the white wedding

The white wedding, a traditional formal or semi-formal wedding, originates from Great Britain. The term "white wedding" comes from the colour of the wedding dress, which first originated with Anne of Brittany during her 1499 marriage to Louis XII of France.

However, the tradition of a white wedding dress is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. Debutantes were required to wear white court dresses and long white gloves for their first presentation at court, and Victoria wanted to convey that she took her role as queen seriously. She also wanted to marry Albert as a woman in love, and the dress reflected her purity, innocence, and good sense.

The white wedding gained further traction when Queen Victoria's daughter, Victoria, married Prince Fredrick William of Prussia in 1858. This wedding introduced choral music to the processional, which was usually only included during a party after the wedding ceremony.

The white wedding was also popularised by Princess Diana's marriage to Charles, Prince of Wales, in 1981, which was watched by 750 million people and saw Diana wear an elaborate white taffeta dress with an 8-metre train.

By the end of the 19th century, the white dress was the garment of choice for elite brides in the UK and the US. However, middle-class British and American brides did not fully adopt the trend until after World War II.

White weddings in the Bible

White weddings are traditional formal or semi-formal weddings that originated in Great Britain. The term "white wedding" comes from the colour of the wedding dress, which was popularised by Anne of Brittany during her marriage to Louis XII of France in 1499. White weddings became increasingly popular after Queen Victoria wore a white lace dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840.

The white wedding style was further popularised in 1981 when 750 million people watched the wedding of Diana Spencer and Charles, Prince of Wales, where Diana wore an elaborate white taffeta dress with an 8-metre train. Today, a full white wedding experience includes printed or engraved invitations, musicians, decorations, clothes and flowers for the wedding party, and optional features such as a guest book or commemorative leaflets. The term "white wedding" now encapsulates the entire Western wedding routine, especially in the Christian tradition, which often includes a church service followed by a reception.

The colour white is often associated with light, goodness, innocence, purity, and virginity. In colour psychology, white represents new beginnings and a blank canvas. In Western culture, white is often associated with beginnings and is used in religious rites to express high religious commitment and purity. In Christianity, the white wedding dress has become a symbol of innocence and purity, qualities that some Christians consider important for brides.

However, the association between a white dress and a virgin bride is relatively recent. During the Medieval and Renaissance eras, brides avoided wearing white, as it was associated with mourning. When Mary, Queen of Scots, wore white at her wedding in 1559, she was accused of cursing her husband, and her choice of attire was believed to have caused his death a few years later. Instead, brides during these periods wore richly coloured fabrics such as silk, muslin, velvet, and fur, adorned with jewels and other signs of wealth.

The virgin bride

The connection between a white dress and a virgin bride, however, is relatively recent. During the Medieval and Renaissance eras, brides avoided wearing white as it was associated with mourning. Mary, Queen of Scots, wore white to her wedding in 1559, which was considered a bold fashion statement and she was even accused of cursing her husband. In earlier times, brides wore richly coloured fabrics such as silk, muslin, velvet, and fur, often adorned with jewels and other signs of wealth. These gowns served as a display of the bride's family's social status and financial means.

The shift towards white wedding dresses in the 19th century can be attributed to various factors. Firstly, Queen Victoria's decision to wear white was influenced by her desire for a simple and practical dress that reflected her purity and innocence. She also wanted to support the declining lace industry by using handmade Honiton lace from Beer. Additionally, the colour white was associated with the virtues of new beginnings, purity, and innocence. This symbolism resonated with the ideals of Christian marriage, where the bride's virginity was valued.

The white wedding tradition quickly spread across the Western world, with elite brides embracing it first due to its association with conspicuous consumption and social status. Etiquette books and publications like "Godey's Lady Book" further reinforced the notion that white was the most fitting colour for brides, contributing to its widespread adoption. However, it's important to note that this tradition is largely confined to Western Christian cultures, as many Eastern weddings use red wedding dresses, which symbolise good luck.

In modern times, the white wedding has evolved to include various rituals and customs. The full experience typically involves engraved invitations, musicians, decorations, attendants such as bridesmaids and groomsmen, and a celebration after the ceremony featuring a large wedding cake. While the colour white remains a prominent symbol of the virgin bride in Western weddings, some brides are adding their own touches of colour or opting for alternative colours altogether, reflecting their personal style and beliefs.

The Christian wedding

The white wedding dress is often associated with innocence and purity, qualities that some Christians consider essential in brides. However, this association is relatively recent, with white wedding dresses only becoming popular in the middle of the 19th century due to the influence of Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress to her wedding in 1840. Before this, white was associated with mourning, and brides typically wore richly coloured fabrics such as silk, muslin, velvet and fur, often adorned with jewels and other signs of wealth.

In Christian weddings, the bride is usually escorted down the aisle by her father and stands with the groom at the front of the church before the chancel. The ceremony may include a wedding march, hymns, Bible readings, and Holy Communion, depending on the Christian denomination. After the ceremony, the couple signs the wedding register or marriage license, making the marriage legal. The celebrations then shift to a reception, where food is served, including a wedding cake, and there may be speeches and dancing.

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