Bridesmaids' Identical Dresses: A Historical Wedding Tradition Explained

The tradition of bridesmaids wearing identical dresses is often thought to have originated in Ancient Rome, when bridesmaids would dress like each other and the bride to confuse evil spirits and rejected men, thus protecting the couple. However, some sources suggest that the tradition actually began with Queen Victoria's wedding in 1841, when her attendants wore dresses similar to hers. This may have been to ensure they didn't outshine her or each other, or to make the procession look better.

To confuse evil spirits

The tradition of bridesmaids wearing identical dresses is thought to have originated from Roman Law, which required ten witnesses at a wedding. The purpose of this was to confuse evil spirits, who were believed to attend marriage ceremonies, by dressing in identical clothing to the bride. This was so that the evil spirits would be unable to identify the bride and carry out their harmful intentions.

In ancient Rome and feudal China, brides often had to travel long distances to their future husbands' hometowns, making them vulnerable to attacks by bandits, kidnappers, or rival suitors. Having a group of bridesmaids dressed identically to the bride made it more difficult for wrongdoers to target the bride, thus offering her protection.

The tradition of wearing identical dresses also extended to veils, which were used to conceal the bride's face from both evil spirits and potential attackers.

While the specific reasons behind this tradition may have faded over time, the custom of bridesmaids wearing matching dresses persisted well into the Victorian era and continues to be a common practice in modern weddings, albeit with some variations.

To protect the couple from kidnappers

The tradition of bridesmaids wearing identical dresses is believed to have originated in ancient Rome, where brides would travel long distances to their groom's village with their dowry in tow, making them a target for bandits and kidnappers. Bridesmaids would accompany the bride and dress like her to confuse any would-be robbers. This practice was also used to confuse evil spirits and stop them from cursing the couple's marriage.

In ancient China, brides were also susceptible to kidnapping by rival clans and hooligans. Bridesmaids were dressed like the bride to lower the risk of her being identified and taken.

In both ancient Rome and China, the practice of matching bridesmaid dresses was a safety measure to protect the bride from kidnappers and bandits.

Over time, the tradition of identical bridesmaid dresses evolved to include other reasons, such as showcasing public support for the royal family, ensuring the bride stood out, and making the bridal party look unified in photos.

To showcase public support for the royal family

The tradition of bridesmaids wearing identical dresses is often linked to Ancient Rome, where it is believed that bridesmaids served as decoys to distract evil spirits and rejected suitors, allowing the bride and groom to exchange their vows without interruption. However, this theory has been disputed by experts.

Instead, the tradition of identical bridesmaids' dresses is more accurately attributed to royal weddings and the desire to showcase public support for the royal family. This notion is particularly evident in the United Kingdom, where royal weddings have long been staged as carefully organised, public displays of support for the monarchy.

The wedding of Queen Victoria in 1841 is a notable example. Queen Victoria had twelve bridesmaids, all dressed identically in fashionable white off-the-shoulder dresses with full-blown artificial roses adorning their hair. These bridesmaids were the eldest daughters of the highest nobility, symbolising the elite's support for the royal union.

Subsequent royal weddings in Britain have continued this tradition, with bridesmaids' dresses often playing a significant role in setting fashion trends. For instance, the wedding of Prince William and Princess Kate in 2011 drew attention to the figure-hugging gown worn by Kate's sister, Pippa Middleton, sparking widespread discussion and influencing fashion choices beyond the royal circle.

The influence of royal weddings extends beyond Britain, with the United States also adopting the tradition of identically dressed bridesmaids following Queen Victoria's wedding. Thus, the custom of bridesmaids wearing identical dresses serves as a reminder of the enduring fascination with royalty and the desire to emulate their traditions, particularly during life's most celebrated moments.

To prevent dress envy

Bridesmaids wearing identical dresses is a tradition that dates back to ancient Roman times. Back then, bridesmaids were decoys dressed like the bride to protect the couple from evil spirits and rejected suitors.

Today, the tradition of identical dresses for bridesmaids is often justified as a way to prevent dress envy. Tasheea Nicholson, a wedding and special events planner, says that "having the bridesmaids in the same dress minimizes the additional decisions for the bride as well as what I call 'dress envy'".

Shalyce Tyson, a wedding planner and owner of Sensational Soirees, agrees, saying that "too many options, opinions, and details can make picking out bridesmaids dresses more than a little bit heated". She adds that "uniformity generally keeps the peace".

Lindsey Bennet, the lead designer at an online dress store, also weighs in, saying that "a big pro of having bridesmaids wear the same thing is that it simplifies the planning process".

In summary, while the tradition of identical dresses for bridesmaids may have originated in ancient Rome, today it is often justified as a way to prevent dress envy, simplify the planning process, and keep the peace among the bridal party.

To create a unified look for photos

Bridesmaids wearing identical dresses dates back to ancient Roman times, when bridesmaids would dress like each other and the bride, creating a decoy effect to protect the couple from evil spirits and rejected suitors. While this tradition has evolved, with the bride now usually wearing white, the unified look of the bridesmaids has endured.

The uniformity of the bridesmaids' dresses creates a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing visual effect, which is particularly important for photographs. Wedding photographer Jimmy Chan explains that toning down the colours of the bridesmaids' dresses, or keeping them within the same hue, ensures that the focus remains on the bridesmaids' faces and expressions. This creates more meaningful photographs that capture the emotions of the day.

Wedding and special events planner Tasheea Nicholson agrees that having bridesmaids in the same dress "minimises the additional decisions" for the bride and prevents "dress envy" among the bridesmaids. Wedding planner Shalyce Tyson adds that having bridesmaids choose their own dresses can lead to friction and headaches, as they may prefer different necklines, lengths, and styles.

Lindsey Bennet, the lead designer at an online dress store, also highlights the logistical benefits of uniformity, especially when bringing together bridesmaids from different locations. A unified look ensures that the bridal party matches the bride's vision, even if the bridesmaids cannot be physically present for planning and fittings.

In summary, the tradition of identical dresses for bridesmaids has evolved from its ancient origins to serve modern practical and aesthetic purposes, particularly in creating a unified and visually appealing look for photographs.

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