George Boyle
Wedding dress colours have varied across time and cultures, with factors such as religion, social norms, fashion trends, and personal preferences shaping the choices. In Western cultures, white wedding gowns have symbolised purity and grace since Queen Victoria's marriage in 1840, while Eastern cultures often showcase colourful garments imbued with unique symbolic meanings. Today, couples are embracing diverse colours and styles, reflecting their individual tastes and personalities. This shift towards personalisation is evident in the rising popularity of colours like gold, green, pink, and ivory, with couples targeting specific shades to match their wedding season and themes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most common wedding dress color | White, ivory, champagne, and red |
| White wedding dress symbol | Purity and innocence |
| Ivory wedding dress | Universally flattering, adds an air of sophistication and elegance |
| Red wedding dress symbol | Good luck, happiness, and prosperity |
| Gold wedding color | Popular during winter weddings, with 43% of couples opting for it |
| Light green wedding color | 33% of newlyweds chose this color |
| Blush wedding color | Popular during spring, with 38% of couples opting for it |
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What You'll Learn
White wedding dresses symbolising purity
In Western cultures, white wedding dresses have traditionally been seen as a symbol of purity and grace. The tradition of wearing white on one's wedding day is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. The white wedding style was popularised further in 1981 when Diana Spencer, who wore an elaborate white taffeta dress, married Charles, Prince of Wales.
White wedding dresses also became a way for brides to showcase their wealth and status. Due to the limitations of laundering techniques before the 20th century, white dresses were expensive and challenging to maintain. They were favoured primarily by the wealthy, who could afford to wear an elaborate dress only once and showcase their status.
In colour psychology, white symbolises a new beginning and a blank canvas. In Western culture, it is often associated with beginnings and is used in religious rites to express a high level of religious commitment and purity. In Roman times, brides wore white tunics to symbolise purity, chastity, and their transition to married life.
In some cultures, the colour white is also associated with virginity. In Japan, for example, a traditional pure white kimono is worn during the formal wedding ceremony, symbolising purity and maidenhood.
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Red dresses in Asian cultures for luck
In Western cultures, white wedding dresses have been popular since the 19th century, symbolizing purity and grace. However, in Asian cultures, particularly in China, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, red is the traditional wedding dress colour.
Red dresses are deeply rooted in Chinese culture and tradition. The colour red is considered sacred and auspicious in Chinese culture, symbolizing honour, success, loyalty, fertility, and love. It is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. Brides in China often wear the Qipao or Cheongsam, a one-piece red dress with intricate gold or silver designs. The Hanfu, another traditional Chinese garment, is also commonly worn in red during weddings, symbolizing the union of two families.
In Indian cultures, red is also a traditional colour for brides, symbolizing good luck and auspiciousness. Brides in India may wear red saris, lehengas, or salwar kameez, typically made of silk. Over time, Indian brides have expanded their colour palette to include other shades like gold, pink, orange, and yellow. Similarly, in Bangladesh and Pakistan, red is a prevalent choice for wedding attire.
While white wedding dresses are now common in Japan, some brides continue to wear traditional pure white kimonos, symbolizing purity and maidenhood.
The choice of red wedding dresses in Asian cultures stems from the belief that this colour brings luck and fortune to the marriage. It is a vibrant and auspicious colour that holds symbolic meanings unique to each region.
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Black wedding dresses in the past
In the Western world, white wedding dresses have been the standard for the last two centuries. However, before the 1840s, brides often wore black wedding dresses, particularly in Europe and Finland. In Spain, black bridal gowns hold significant cultural meaning in Roman Catholic traditions, symbolizing a bride's lifelong commitment to her partner. Black was also a preferred colour because it concealed stains and was meant to be worn multiple times, making it a practical choice. In many European countries, black symbolized elegance, formality, and social status.
In the early 1900s, it was common for brides to wear black wedding dresses in northern Spain. One person shared that their grandmother got married in black because "it was fashionable," dispelling the myth that brides wore black as a symbol of mourning. Another person shared that their grandmother also got married in black after mourning her father's death, but also because she liked the colour.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, upper-class brides often wore black wedding dresses, as the dress would be used after the wedding as formal wear for celebrations and church. During this time, it was common for wedding dresses to be made with a lot of decorations, such as lace or frills, which were also adopted in black wedding dresses.
Although white wedding dresses became the standard after Queen Victoria popularized the colour in 1840, black wedding dresses are making a comeback. Modern brides are choosing black gowns as a statement of individuality and power, and as an alternative for those who want to express their personal style and stand out.
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Green, pink, and gold as popular colours
Wedding dresses come in a variety of colours, with traditions varying across cultures. In Western cultures, white wedding dresses have been popular since the 19th century, when Queen Victoria wore a white gown for her wedding. White symbolises purity and grace. However, in Eastern cultures, wedding dresses are often elaborate and colourful, with red being a common choice in countries like China, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Red symbolises good luck and auspiciousness in Indian culture.
In recent years, gold wedding dresses have gained popularity for brides who want to stand out and make a statement. Gold symbolises glamour and luxury and can be a unique choice for brides who want something unexpected and dramatic. Gold wedding dresses can range from champagne and rose gold to true gold and other metallic shades, offering a variety of options for brides who want a regal and opulent look.
Pink is another colour that has been trending for wedding dresses. Blush pink, in particular, has emerged on bridal runways, with designers showcasing intricate and delicate pink wedding dress creations. Celebrities such as Mandy Moore and Kristin Chenoweth have also embraced the trend, opting for blush pink gowns for their nuptials. Pink wedding dresses offer a modern and captivating alternative to traditional white, allowing brides to make a bold and romantic statement.
Green is also a popular colour for wedding dresses, especially in certain cultural contexts. For example, in Vietnamese culture, the traditional wedding dress is called "áo tấc" or "ancient Ao dai" and is typically dark blue or green. Green is often associated with nature, freshness, and growth, making it a symbolic choice for brides who want to convey these themes on their wedding day.
While the choice of wedding dress colour is ultimately a personal decision, green, pink, and gold are certainly popular options that offer a unique and memorable alternative to the traditional white wedding dress. These colours can be found in a variety of shades and styles, allowing brides to find the perfect dress that aligns with their personal style and the theme of their wedding.
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Ivory and off-white as alternatives
White wedding dresses have been popular in Western cultures since the 19th century, when Queen Victoria wore a white gown to marry Prince Albert in 1840. However, in recent years, ivory and off-white wedding dresses have gained popularity as alternatives to traditional white. Ivory is a softer shade of white with yellow undertones, often referred to as "eggshell" or "diamond white". It is considered more flattering for fair skin tones and gives a softer, more romantic feel to a wedding dress.
While pure white is the brightest and purest shade, it can sometimes appear too harsh or washed out, especially on lighter skin tones. Natural white, or "silk white", is the brightest shade achievable with natural fibres and falls between pure white and ivory. It is slightly softer than pure white but not as warm as ivory. This shade can be a good option for medium or darker skin tones.
When choosing between white and ivory, it is important to consider the venue and lighting of the wedding. Designer Ashley Stambouli advises that "in darker or nighttime venues with yellow lighting, ivory might appear dull or less elegant compared to white, which offers more contrast and helps the bride stand out".
Ivory dresses are often paired with black, burgundy, or champagne for a luxurious look, or with blush or champagne undertones for a modern, fashion-forward look.
In addition to ivory and off-white, other colours such as champagne, black, and red are also gaining popularity as alternatives to traditional white wedding dresses.
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Frequently asked questions
The most common wedding dress colour globally is ivory, a shade of off-white with warm, creamy undertones. This is followed by white, which is the traditional colour for wedding dresses in Western cultures.
The tradition of wearing white at Western weddings is said to have begun with Queen Victoria, who wore a white gown when she married Prince Albert in 1840. White symbolised purity and virginity. Before this, brides wore a range of colours, including black.
In many Eastern cultures, red symbolises luck, happiness and prosperity, and is therefore a popular choice for wedding dresses. In India, red is the traditional colour for saris, lehengas and salwar kameez, while in Japan, brides wear white kimonos for the formal ceremony and may change into a red dress for the reception.
Besides ivory and white, brides may choose a variety of colours for their wedding dress, including champagne, blush, pink, blue, lavender, gold, green, black, or even purple.
