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The white wedding dress is a relatively new tradition, popularised by Queen Victoria's wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. White wedding dresses became more available after World War II, with tea-length looks inspired by Audrey Hepburn. In modern times, most white wedding dresses are ivory-coloured, and some brides have opted for off-white, soft hues like peach, pink, and pale blue, solid dark colours, and patterns. However, it is generally considered rude for guests to wear white to a wedding, as it may appear that they are trying to upstage the bride.
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What You'll Learn
- White wedding dresses are a relatively new tradition, popularised by Queen Victoria in 1840
- White is the most widely-worn colour for wedding gowns, but it is not mandatory
- Guests are generally advised against wearing white to a wedding
- White wedding dresses became more available after World War II
- In modern times, most white wedding dresses are ivory-coloured
White wedding dresses are a relatively new tradition, popularised by Queen Victoria in 1840
Queen Victoria's choice of a white wedding dress was influenced by multiple factors. Firstly, she was marrying for love and wanted to present herself as "a bride to her husband" rather than "a queen to the lesser-status fellow she was marrying". The white dress, made of English silk and lace, was a simple and demure choice compared to the opulent gowns typically worn by royal brides, which were often gold or silver to signify their royalty. The white colour highlighted the delicate lace of the dress, and Victoria herself described it as "an imitation of an old design".
Another factor that contributed to the popularisation of the white wedding dress was the timing of Queen Victoria's wedding, which took place on the cusp of the Industrial Revolution. There was a growing middle class in England, eager to display their newfound wealth, and they took their cues from the young queen. Images of Victoria's wedding were distributed widely in magazines and newspapers, making her wedding more accessible and inspiring to the public. As a result, fashionable people across Europe and America began to follow her lead, adopting white as the colour of choice for bridal gowns.
It is worth noting that the idea of a white wedding dress was not entirely novel in 1840. There are some instances of rulers in Ancient Egypt, Rome, and Greece donning white pleated linens for celebrations, and Mary, Queen of Scots, wore a white wedding gown in 1559 when she married her first husband, Francis Dauphin of France. However, white wedding dresses only became firmly established and widely popularised after Queen Victoria's wedding.
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White is the most widely-worn colour for wedding gowns, but it is not mandatory
The first white wedding dress on record was worn by Philippa of England, who married Eric of Pomerania in 1406. Mary, Queen of Scots, also wore a white wedding gown in 1559 when she married her first husband, Francis Dauphin of France. However, the tradition of the white wedding dress is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. As images of Victoria's wedding were shared widely, fashionable people across Europe and America followed her lead.
In recent years, brides have become more experimental with their dress choices, influenced by non-Western cultures. Modern bridal dress colours include soft hues like peach, pink, and pale blue, as well as solid dark colours and patterns. In some cultures, such as in India, China, Pakistan, and Vietnam, red is considered the most auspicious shade for brides.
While white is still the most popular colour for wedding gowns, it is not the only option. Brides today have a range of colours and styles to choose from, allowing them to express their personal tastes and find a dress that suits their personality.
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Guests are generally advised against wearing white to a wedding
The tradition of wearing white at weddings is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress to marry Prince Albert in 1840. Since then, white has been associated with the bride, and it is generally advised that guests avoid wearing this colour to a wedding.
There are a few reasons why guests are discouraged from wearing white to a wedding. Firstly, it is considered a breach of etiquette and may be seen as disrespectful to the bride, who may wish to stand out and be easily recognised on her special day. Wearing white could be interpreted as an attempt to draw attention away from the bride, which is not in keeping with the tradition of the day, which is a celebration of the marriage of two people.
Secondly, it is a practical consideration. If a guest wears white, they may be mistaken for the bride, which could cause confusion among other guests. This is especially true if the guest's outfit resembles a wedding dress, for example, if it is long or lacy.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, if the couple specifically requests that guests wear white, then it is acceptable to do so. This may be indicated on the invitation or wedding website, and it is usually done as part of a themed event. In this case, guests should opt for a solid white style rather than a white floral print, as the latter is more likely to be chosen by the bride.
Additionally, there may be some leeway with white-adjacent colours, such as cream or ivory. While some sources still advise against these colours, others suggest that they may be acceptable, especially if the outfit is not a full-length gown or does not resemble a wedding dress in style.
Ultimately, the decision to wear white or not to a wedding depends on several factors, including the couple's preferences, the specific colour and style of the outfit, and the relationship between the guest and the couple. Using their best judgement and considering the potential implications of their choice is essential.
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White wedding dresses became more available after World War II
The custom of wearing white wedding dresses is often credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress to marry Prince Albert in 1840. However, white wedding dresses only became popular in the mid-19th century and became customary in the mid-20th century.
Following World War II, white wedding dresses became more accessible to the general public. During the war and the Great Depression, fancy fabrics were hard to come by, so many brides wore simple suits in non-white colours or even wedding dresses made from repurposed silk parachutes. After the war, society became more prosperous, and clothing became cheaper to produce, making white wedding dresses more affordable. The portrayal of weddings in Hollywood movies, particularly after World War II, also helped to popularise the white wedding. Grace Kelly's famous white wedding gown, photographed in 1956, quickly spread across the globe, further cementing the notion that marriage demanded a white dress.
The white wedding style received another significant boost in 1981 when 750 million people watched the wedding of Diana Spencer and Charles, Prince of Wales. Diana wore an elaborate white taffeta dress with an 8-metre train, influencing brides worldwide.
Today, white remains the most widely worn colour for wedding gowns, with 82% of US brides and 83% of brides surveyed by Brides Magazine in 2018 choosing to wear white. However, as traditions evolve to include non-Western cultures, brides have become more experimental with their dress choices, opting for colours like pink, blue, gold, grey, and even black.
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In modern times, most white wedding dresses are ivory-coloured
The white wedding dress is a relatively new development in the Western tradition. It was popularised by Queen Victoria, who wore a white lace dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. The white wedding style was further popularised in 1981 when Princess Diana wore an ivory silk taffeta and lace gown at her wedding, which was watched by 750 million people.
Although white is easily the most widely worn colour for wedding gowns, it is not the only option. In recent years, brides have become more experimental with their dress choices, with modern bridal dress colours including off-white, soft hues like peach, pink, and pale blue, solid dark colours, and patterns.
While the white wedding dress is a long-standing tradition, it is not a requirement. In a 2018 survey by Brides Magazine, 83% of brides opted for a white wedding dress, compared to 92% the previous year. This shows that while white is still the most popular choice, a significant number of brides are choosing alternative colours.
When it comes to wedding guests, the general rule is to avoid wearing white to a wedding. This is because it is important not to upstage or upset the bride, who may want to be the only one in a white outfit. However, there may be exceptions to this rule, such as if the couple requests that guests wear a neutral colour palette or all-white outfits.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, white wedding dresses only became popular in the mid-19th century and became customary in the mid-20th century. The white wedding dress was popularised by Queen Victoria, who wore a white lace dress for her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840.
Wedding dresses can come in a variety of colours, including red, blue, green, purple, black, pink, gold, grey, and yellow. In some cultures, like in India, China, Pakistan, and Vietnam, red is considered the most auspicious colour for brides.
It is generally considered rude and inappropriate to wear white as a wedding guest, as it can be seen as an attempt to upstage the bride. However, if the couple has requested that guests wear a neutral colour palette, you can opt for a medium-tone beige or champagne colour.
