Junior Rasmussen
The white wedding dress is a tradition that was started by Queen Victoria in 1840 when she wore an all-white dress, replacing the colourful gowns decorated with expensive embroidery and furs that were previously worn by brides. However, this tradition is not for everyone, and there are many reasons why someone may not want to wear a white wedding dress. Some people may not feel comfortable in white, while others may be concerned about their dress getting dirty. Some brides may want to stand out and express their individuality and personality, while others may want to pay homage to their culture and family traditions by wearing traditional attire in a different colour. Ultimately, it is your wedding day, and you can wear whatever you want!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History of white wedding dresses | Queen Victoria wore a white dress in 1840, starting the trend. Before this, brides wore their Sunday best or colourful gowns. |
| Reasons to avoid a white dress | White dresses may not suit everyone's skin tone, hair colour, or wedding theme. White also shows dirt and marks more easily than other colours. |
| Alternative colours | Pastel pink, vibrant blue, red, gold, black, purple, tropical prints, and cool hues like powder blue. |
| Alternative styles | Sari, lehenga, áo dài, cape, or suit. |
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What You'll Learn
A non-white dress can be more affordable and comfortable
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress began with Queen Victoria, who wore a white gown to her wedding in 1840. Before this, most brides wore colourful gowns decorated with expensive embroidery and furs.
Today, many brides are choosing to forgo the traditional white wedding dress in favour of something more unique and personal. This can be more affordable, as you are not limited to traditional bridal shops, and more comfortable, as you are more likely to feel like yourself.
For example, one bride chose to wear a traditional Vietnamese áo dài in red and gold, honouring her culture and family. Another bride wore a black wedding dress, her favourite colour, and her husband's too. A third bride chose a vibrant orange tea-length frock for her backyard wedding, explaining that she wanted to wear something comfortable and refreshing.
If you're looking for something non-traditional, you might consider looking at bridesmaid and evening gowns, which often come in a wider variety of colours and styles. You could also wear a suit, or a jumpsuit, or even a colourful veil.
Whatever you choose, make sure you feel like the bride, and that you feel comfortable and happy.
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Brides in Scandinavian tradition wear black
If you don't want to wear a white wedding dress, you are not alone. Many brides are choosing coloured gowns instead of the traditional white or ivory. The tradition of wearing white on your wedding day only dates back to 1840 when Queen Victoria wore a white gown, capturing much attention and ultimately changing the bridal dress industry forever. Before this, most brides wore colourful gowns decorated with expensive coloured embroidery and furs.
Brides in Scandinavian tradition sometimes wear black. In Sweden, a bride in the 19th century would have worn a black two-piece dress with a white collar, along with a headdress or bridal crown, with or without a veil. The bride would usually make her own wedding clothes, which would be considered her most beautiful garments. In Norway, brides and grooms often wear bunads, the national costume, for their wedding.
If you are considering wearing black on your wedding day, it is worth noting that black is traditionally associated with grief and mourning. However, this association is not universal, and in some cultures, it may be more acceptable. In Scandinavian cultures, for example, black was not traditionally worn to weddings, but it is now a popular choice. If you are worried about what your photographer might think, it is a good idea to discuss your dress choice with them beforehand so they can plan their camera skills and lighting setup to ensure you get the best photographs.
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Eastern cultures often wear red
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress was started by Queen Victoria in 1840. Before this, most brides wore colourful gowns decorated with expensive coloured embroidery and furs. If you don't want to wear a white wedding dress, you can choose a different colour that suits your skin tone and hair colour. You can also consider the weather and your photographer's skills to ensure you get the best wedding photos.
In Indian culture, modern brides wear red lehengas to honour Goddess Durga, who represents the divine shakti, an ancient cosmic feminine energy that protects against evil and fights destruction. By wearing red, Indian brides welcome integrity, loyalty, forgiveness, strength, courage, and happiness into their marriages.
Red wedding dresses are also popular in modern Pagan and Native American communities. For modern Wiccans and other Pagans, colours hold special meanings and powers that are important for spiritual rites like marriage. Pagan couples wear red to welcome love, romance, and desire into their union, combining the colour's potent fire element with other natural forces.
In Kurdish culture, a first-time bride traditionally wears a red dress to symbolise the postcoital bleeding she will experience when she loses her virginity. While red dresses are no longer commonly worn by Kurdish brides, they were once associated with impoverished Kurdish rural society.
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You could wear a jumpsuit or a suit
If you don't want to wear a white wedding dress, you could opt for a jumpsuit or a suit. This is a great way to break away from tradition and do something different, just as Queen Victoria did when she chose to wear a white dress and reshaped the bridal fashion industry.
Jumpsuits are a versatile option, allowing you to dress them up or down depending on the event's formality. You can find jumpsuits in various styles, colours, and fabrics, such as crepe, silk, or satin. They can also incorporate traditional bridal elements like lace, tulle, and sparkly embellishments. To make your jumpsuit feel extra special, consider adding a veil, bridal cape, or other classic wedding accessories.
If you're looking for a modern and trendy option, a bridal jumpsuit might be perfect for you. They are having a major moment in the fashion industry, spurred in part by gender-fluidity. You can find jumpsuits at various price points, making it easy to find an option that fits your budget.
When choosing a jumpsuit, consider the fabric and style to ensure it feels appropriate for the occasion. For a formal wedding, choose more formal fabrics and avoid fabrics that look naturally casual, like linen. You can also add accessories to elevate your look, such as a belt or sash to define your figure.
If you're not quite ready to ditch the dress but still want to wear a jumpsuit, you can always opt for a post-ceremony outfit change. Surprise your guests when you step onto the dance floor in your stylish second look, and you'll be comfortable enough to dance the night away!
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Pastel tones are beautiful for a wedding
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress began with Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840, where she wore a plain white gown, departing from the colourful gowns decorated with expensive coloured embroidery and furs that were the traditional bridal attire at the time. However, if white gowns aren’t your thing, there are many other beautiful options to choose from, such as pastel-toned dresses.
Pastel colours are soft, romantic, and delicate, making them perfect for a wedding, whether you're the bride or a guest. From lilacs and blushes to lemon yellows and baby blues, pastel wedding dresses are a popular trend. For example, a pastel pink wedding dress from ELOQUII is a plus-size bridal gown with a flirty tiered skirt and a power mesh corset with underwire and boning for added bust support. Another option is a showstopping lilac wedding dress from Anne Barge or a pale pink ball gown from Ines Di Santo. If you're looking for something blue, check out the Something Blue Collection from Sareh Nouri. These pastel wedding dress styles evoke feelings of love, optimism, and new beginnings, making them ideal for a spring or summer garden wedding.
Pastel dresses also work for any dress code, from black-tie gowns to shorter and more casual pieces. For a black-tie wedding, look for a floor-length gown in a soft hue. For a formal or black-tie-optional dress code, opt for floor-length or midi styles. Midi dresses are great for cocktail attire, while something shorter and more casual can work for semi-formal or casual weddings. Pastel colours can also complement a range of skin tones, hair colours, and wedding themes, ensuring that you feel comfortable and confident on your special day.
Ultimately, your wedding dress choice should make you feel happy and reflect your unique style. If you're considering breaking away from tradition, pastel tones are a beautiful option to explore, offering a range of soft and romantic hues to choose from.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many reasons why someone might not want to wear a white wedding dress. For example, white dresses may not suit everyone's skin tone, hair colour, or wedding venue. White is also a colour that shows dirt and marks very easily, so if you're worried about your dress getting dirty, you might want to choose a different colour. Finally, some people simply dislike the way white dresses look, or want to break away from tradition.
There are no rules for what colour you can have for a wedding dress. Some popular choices include purple, black, blue, pink, red, orange, and green. You could also choose a dress with a pattern, or a mix of multiple colours.
You can find non-white wedding dresses at bridal salons, high-end quinceañera shops, or by looking at bridesmaid and evening gowns. Websites like Offbeat Wed feature photos of weddings where the couple did not wear white, which may be a good source of inspiration.
If you don't want your guests to wear the same colour as your wedding dress, you can ask them not to on your invitation. Most guests will follow what is traditionally appropriate and avoid wearing white, so if you don't want them to wear your chosen colour, it's best to say so.
