White Wedding: A Guide To The Ceremony

A white wedding is a traditional formal or semi-formal wedding that originated in Great Britain. The term comes from the white colour of the wedding dress, which was popularised by Queen Victoria during her marriage to Prince Albert in 1840. The white wedding experience today typically includes printed or engraved wedding invitations, musicians, decorations, and a celebration after the ceremony, which normally features a large wedding cake with white icing. The term also encapsulates the entire Western wedding routine, especially in the Christian religious tradition, which includes a church service, followed by a reception.

The white dress tradition

The white wedding dress, now a common tradition in the Western world, is often thought to have originated with Anne of Brittany, who wore white when she married Louis XII of France in 1499. However, it was Queen Victoria who truly popularised the white wedding dress when she married Prince Albert in 1840.

Before Queen Victoria's wedding, brides did not typically wear white, instead choosing heavy brocaded gowns embroidered with white and silver thread, with red being a particularly popular colour in Western Europe. Brides in ancient Rome wore long yellow veils, while ancient Athenian brides wore violet or light reddish robes. In early church weddings, brides often wore red or jewel-toned dresses edged in fur and embroidered with gold and silver.

Queen Victoria's choice of a white wedding dress was influenced by several factors. Firstly, she wanted to convey a message of prudence and sensibility, and a simple and inconspicuous white gown was thought to best achieve this. White also highlighted the delicate British-made Honiton lace accents on the dress, which was intended to support the declining lace industry in Devon. Finally, the colour white reflected the purity and innocence of a woman in love, rather than the traditional association of white with royalty.

Following Queen Victoria's wedding, white wedding dresses became popular among the wealthy, as they were a way to display their social status and wealth. White dresses were more expensive and harder to keep clean, and only the rich could afford to have their dresses professionally cleaned so that they could be worn again. Etiquette books of the time also began to emphasise the tradition of a white wedding dress, claiming that white symbolised a bride's innocence and virginal purity.

Today, white is the most widely-worn colour for wedding gowns, with 82% of US brides wearing white. However, this tradition is mainly followed in Western cultures, as many Eastern cultures consider white to be an unlucky colour for weddings.

Wedding invitations

When it comes to colour schemes, black and white is a classic and versatile combination that suits any wedding aesthetic. For a modern event, white card stock with black lettering in a sans serif font is a good choice. Ornate calligraphy on worn paper with a deckle-edge, on the other hand, is perfect for a vintage-style celebration. Gold foil detailing can add a touch of glamour, while fun details such as an illustration of the venue or a custom crest can give guests a glimpse into the couple's love story.

Another way to celebrate the union of two people becoming one is to use a joint monogram on the invitations. Stamping the stationery with the first initial of each partner's first name in black font on white paper makes a dramatic statement for modern or minimalist weddings.

The way information is presented on the invitations is also important. Combining different fonts can help to emphasise certain elements, such as the couple's names, which can be showcased in intricate calligraphy and a larger size than the rest of the text. The date and venue can be mentioned in a capitalised font, while supplemental information can be included in smaller cursive.

The paper type is another way to add a touch of luxury to wedding invitations. Options include Smooth Signature Paper, Pearlescent, DoubleThick, and Premium 100% Recycled Paper. Upgrading the paper quality can make a big difference, especially with white invitations, where the texture of the cardstock may be more noticeable than bright colours.

Finally, don't forget the envelopes! Adding a unique envelope liner, such as a bold liner with a geometric pattern, can create a surprising and delightful detail for guests when they open the invitation.

Wedding ceremony

A white wedding is a traditional formal or semi-formal wedding that originated in Great Britain. The term comes from the white colour of the wedding dress, which was popularised by Queen Victoria during her marriage to Prince Albert in 1840.

The wedding ceremony is derived primarily from the Christian tradition. The bride and groom stand side by side at the front of the church before the chancel throughout most or all of the ceremony. The guests are usually seated, with the bride's family on the left and the groom's family on the right. The front rows are reserved for close family members or friends. Some couples choose to escort their grandparents, step-parents, and parents to their seats before the wedding procession begins, while others include them in the procession.

The wedding procession varies depending on the country. In the US, the bride is typically the last to enter the church, preceded by the rest of the wedding party. In the UK, she leads the procession, followed by any bridesmaids, flower girls, and page boys. The groom may already be present in the church or may join the procession. The music played during this procession is commonly called a wedding march.

If the wedding is part of a religious service, the service begins after the arrival of the participants with a prayer, blessing, or ritual greeting. During the ceremony, each partner makes marriage vows to each other in front of the marriage officiant, who may be a minister, priest, pastor, vicar, rabbi, imam, or civil officer. The ceremony may include the playing of a prelude, the singing of hymns, Bible readings, and Holy Communion, depending on the Christian denomination.

After the wedding ceremony ends, the bride, groom, officiant, and two witnesses generally sign the wedding register or state-issued marriage license, finalising the marriage. Guests then cheer the couple's departure from the church by throwing flower petals, confetti, birdseed, or rice.

Wedding reception

A white wedding is a formal or semi-formal wedding that originated in Great Britain. The term comes from the colour of the wedding dress, which is usually white. The full white wedding experience includes engraved invitations, musicians, flowers, and decorations. It is also common to have a celebration after the wedding ceremony, which is known as the reception.

The wedding reception is a chance for the newly married couple to relax and celebrate with their guests. It is also an opportunity for guests to mingle and get to know each other. There are many different activities that can take place at a wedding reception, from the traditional to the more unique and creative.

Traditional Activities

Traditional wedding reception activities include food, drinks, music, and dancing. A wedding cake is often served, and there may be a ritual element to the cake-cutting. There may also be speeches and toasts made by the wedding party and guests. The newlyweds are expected to have the first dance, and this is usually called the bridal waltz.

Unique Activities

Couples may choose to include unique and creative activities at their wedding reception to make the event more memorable and engaging for their guests. These could include:

• A photo booth with props and backdrops
• Outdoor lawn games such as corn hole, giant Jenga, and scavenger hunts
• Live entertainment such as singers, bands, acrobats, contortionists, fire performers, and magicians
• Tarot card readers and astrologists
• Fireworks displays
• Amusement park rides
• Casino games and vintage arcade games
• Caricaturists
• Petting zoos

Wedding food and drink

Food and drink can take up a huge chunk of your wedding reception budget, so it's important to plan carefully. Here are some ideas and tips to help you create a memorable wedding feast without breaking the bank.

Dietary Requirements

First things first: clarify any dietary requirements in advance. When sending out invitations, include a copy of the menu and ask guests to let you know of any requirements. It's always a good idea to include a vegetarian option, and vegan and gluten-free options are also becoming increasingly popular.

Drinks

As for drinks, the bridal party usually provides an arrival drink, a classic red and white wine option during the meal, and a sparkling option for toasts. It's also a good idea to offer still and sparkling water, as well as soft drinks for those who don't drink alcohol. If you're thinking of having an open bar, be aware that this can be very expensive. If you do decide to go for it, set a time limit and decide whether it will include liqueurs and spirits or just beer, wine, and soft drinks.

Sit-Down Meal or Buffet?

A sit-down meal is usually more expensive than a buffet, so if you're on a budget, a buffet could be a great option. You can also keep costs down by limiting numbers, cutting down on courses, or reducing the number of drinks provided. If you do go for a sit-down meal, you'll need to decide whether it will be plated and ready when guests are seated, self-service at a central location, or brought out by waiters.

Seasonal and Local Produce

To save money and create a menu that reflects the time of year, opt for seasonal, local produce. For a spring wedding, choose fresh, bright, and flavoursome dishes. A summer wedding calls for lighter dishes such as salads, grilled chicken, and fruit-based desserts. Autumn is the perfect time for warm, hearty dishes like pumpkin soup and roasted root vegetables. In winter, go for richer, heavier meals such as beef wellington, pies, and Sunday roasts.

Unique Ideas

If you want to add a unique twist to your wedding feast, consider a food truck, a coffee bar, or a grazing table. For a simple, budget-friendly option, a BBQ or hog roast is always a crowd-pleaser. Or, if you want to go all out, how about a build-your-own burger bar or a taco bar?

Dessert

For dessert, why not offer a selection of sweet bars, ice cream, or sorbet? If you're feeling really adventurous, you could even skip the traditional wedding cake and go for a candy bar or a platter of scones instead!

Cost-Saving Tips

• Use disposable serving ware to save on cleaning costs.
• Avoid costly add-ons like cake-cutting services.
• Skip the champagne toast – it's expensive and not really worth it.
• Host a smaller party a few days after the wedding, and ask guests to bring a dish for a potluck.
• Ask guests to contribute homemade appetizers or desserts.
• Buy off-the-shelf cakes from a supermarket instead of a fancy wedding cake.
• Opt for sheet cakes instead of a tiered cake.

Frequently asked questions