Deborah Chan
The wedding dress is a significant aspect of wedding traditions, symbolizing personal expression, cultural values, and societal trends. While the concept of a unique bridal dress is relatively modern, evolving from the medieval practice of marriages as a union of families, the fashion and style of wedding dresses have transformed over time. In Western culture, the colour white is predominantly associated with wedding dresses due to Queen Victoria, who wore a white gown during her wedding in 1840, although white dresses were already a status symbol in the 1400s and 1500s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 10 February 1840 |
| Person | Queen Victoria |
| Event | Queen Victoria's wedding to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha |
| Wedding dress description | White gown trimmed with Honiton lace, slim waist, full crinoline petticoat, and lace embellishments |
| Impact | Popularised the white wedding dress in Western culture, setting the standard for modern bridal fashion |
| Previous norms | Brides wore their best dress or a new dress that would become their new best dress; royal brides wore a variety of colours, with red being one of the most popular |
| Other colours symbolising purity | Blue |
| Other cultures | In Eastern cultures, brides often wear red; in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, brides wear white to symbolise purity, innocence, and cleanliness |
| Modern trends | Minimalist and modern designs have gained popularity; the latest designs feature drop-waist silhouettes, convertible gowns, intricate crystal embellishments, and vintage charm |
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What You'll Learn
Queen Victoria's influence
The wedding dress has evolved significantly over the centuries, influenced by shifts in aesthetic preferences, cultural trends, and technological advancements. In Western culture, the colour white is now commonly associated with wedding dresses, and this trend can be traced back to Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840.
Queen Victoria's wedding to Prince Albert in 1840 had a significant and lasting impact on Western bridal fashion. On her wedding day, Queen Victoria chose to wear a white gown, breaking from the traditional colours worn by royal brides, which often included gold, blue, and red. Victoria's dress was made from Spitalfields silk-satin with a flounce of Honiton lace at the neck and sleeves, and it featured a slim waist and a full crinoline petticoat. This choice of attire captured the public's imagination, and the image of the innocent, adoring bride in white was widely publicised through print media, including newspapers and fashion plates.
The colour white was not chosen solely for its association with purity and innocence, but also for practical and patriotic reasons. As the head of state, Queen Victoria wanted to support British industries, and by choosing a large piece of handmade Honiton lace, she drew attention to the skilled artisans who were facing poverty due to the invention of machine textiles. White was also the best colour to showcase the intricate lacework.
The popularity of white wedding dresses spread quickly, first among wealthy and fashionable brides, and it gained new symbolism. White came to represent not just purity and innocence but also wealth, as these dresses were more expensive and harder to keep clean. This trend was further reinforced by Hollywood's portrayal of weddings and the widespread dissemination of celebrity wedding images, such as Grace Kelly's wedding in 1956.
In summary, Queen Victoria's choice of a white wedding dress in 1840 set a new trend for Western bridal fashion that continues to this day. The colour white, though now commonly associated with purity and innocence, had a range of symbolic meanings for Victoria, including practicality, patriotism, and support for British industries. The commercialisation of weddings and the power of the media further cemented the idea that white was the ideal colour for bridal wear, and Victoria's enduring use of her wedding lace kept this trend in the public eye.
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Pre-Victorian era
The history of the wedding dress is shorter than the history of weddings and marriages. In the pre-Victorian era, wedding dresses were often worn multiple times, with brides donning their best dress, which was usually not white. In fact, white dresses were generally reserved for women being presented at court. The colour of the dress was often chosen to symbolise certain traits, with blue being a popular choice in Western Europe due to its association with purity. Brides also wore red, yellow, green, and burgundy, with the dress demonstrating their status through the amount and price of the materials used. For instance, in Elizabethan times, upper-class brides wore satin, velvet, or corduroy, while those who were not as wealthy wore wool, cotton, or flax.
In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, teenage girls married in pale grey to symbolise fertility, while older women opted for brown or black. Similarly, in Kurdish tradition, a first-time bride wears a red dress to symbolise the postcoital bleeding she will experience after losing her virginity. On the other hand, a Kurdish bride who has been married before wears pink.
The style of the dress was also influenced by prevailing trends. For example, in the early 1900s, clothing included a lot of decorations, such as lace or frills, which were also adopted in wedding dresses. In the 1920s, wedding dresses were typically short in the front with a longer train at the back, and cloche-style veils were popular. In the 1960s, the silhouette of the dress changed to tighter sleeves and shorter veils, with hair combed back.
The wedding dress also served as a status symbol, with brides from wealthy families wearing rich colours and exclusive fabrics such as bold colours and layers of furs, velvet, and silk. The attire of the bride reflected the wealth and social standing of her family. Brides from lower social classes wore their best church dress, with the amount and price of the materials used indicating their family's economic status.
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Wedding dress colour meanings
The colour of a wedding dress often carries symbolic meaning, and these meanings have evolved over time. In Western cultures, white wedding dresses have been popular since Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840. White symbolises light, virginity, goodness, innocence, wealth, status, and purity. However, the colour white was not always associated with weddings; in ancient times, brides were expected to dress in a way that reflected their family's status, with wealthy families wearing bold colours and expensive fabrics like furs, velvet, and silk.
Today, the colour of a wedding dress often reflects personal expression, cultural traditions, and societal values. Here are some common colours and their meanings:
Red
Red is a popular colour in cultural weddings, particularly in India and Pakistan, where it is considered a sign of good luck. It is also associated with love, power, warmth, and strong emotions. In Kurdish culture, a first-time bride wears red to symbolise post-coital bleeding, indicating that she is a virgin.
Pink
Pink is associated with femininity, innocence, nurturing, and a playful, flirtatious spirit. Pale pink or blush tones are popular choices for brides who want to convey innocence without being too attention-grabbing.
Yellow
Yellow symbolises intelligence, laughter, adventure, and a cheerful outlook. It is often chosen by outgoing brides who want to stand out and be the centre of attention. Pale yellow is particularly photographic, making it a great choice for modern brides.
Purple
Purple is the colour of royalty and power. It stands out, especially in light tones, and can be designed creatively to make a statement. Purple also looks good on any skin tone.
Ivory
Ivory is a modern classic that combines the traditional values associated with white, with a more contemporary meaning of love and commitment. Ivory shades can also suit a wider range of skin tones than traditional white.
Black
Although black is not commonly associated with weddings, it represents elegance, mystery, and sophistication. It is a bold choice that reflects the bride's individuality and her desire to do things her way.
While these colours have various symbolic meanings, there are no rules when it comes to choosing a wedding dress colour. Brides today have the freedom to express their individuality and make a statement with their gown's colour and style.
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Wedding dress in different cultures
The wedding dress is an important aspect of a bride's special day, and its colour, style and ceremonial importance can depend on the culture and heritage of the wedding participants.
In Western culture, the wedding dress is most commonly white, a fashion trend that began with Queen Victoria's marriage to Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840. White wedding dresses were hard to maintain and keep clean, so they were a symbol of wealth and status. Over time, the colour also came to be associated with purity and innocence. However, it is worth noting that in the past, blue represented purity, piety and fidelity and was linked to the Virgin Mary. In the present day, white is not always associated with purity and innocence, as demonstrated by the fact that black is a popular wedding dress colour in Finland.
In Eastern cultures, brides often wear red to symbolise auspiciousness, luck, fertility and good fortune. Chinese brides, for example, traditionally wear red, as well as other vibrant colours such as yellow and blue, which are considered to be lucky. The Chinese qipao is a traditional one-piece dress with a high collar and a floor-length skirt, often made from lightweight silk or satin and decorated with intricate embroidery, beads and stones.
Indian weddings are known for their vibrant colours, with common colours including red, yellow and green, symbolising power and strength, prosperity and wealth, and new birth. Indian brides often wear lehengas, a traditional type of dress with impressive embroidery, or sarees, which are made from lightweight silk or cotton and consist of a long piece of fabric draped around the body.
In other cultures, brides wear a variety of colours and styles of dress. For example, in Afghanistan, religious couples engage in a nikah ceremony, where the bride wears a face cover as she receives guests who bring her roses. On the fourth day, her body is adorned with jewels and gold, and the wedding takes place on the fifth day. In Tibet, betrothed women in traditional ceremonies wear layered white dresses made of wool with colourful aprons on top. In Korea, brides wear the hanbok, a traditional, formal two-piece ensemble consisting of a long jacket and skirt, usually made from lightweight silk or cotton and decorated with bright colours and intricate embroidery to symbolise luck and prosperity. In Fiji, brides wear a traditional masi wedding dress made from the bark of the paper mulberry tree, while in South Africa, shweshwe, a type of printed fabric, is popular for wedding dresses.
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Wedding dress in modern times
The tradition of wearing a wedding dress that is distinctly bridal in style, often in white, is a phenomenon that has evolved over centuries and remains a staple of wedding celebrations in the modern era. While the specific styles, colours, and trends have varied over time, the importance and symbolism of the wedding dress have endured.
In the late 1800s, as Queen Victoria's influence spread, so too did the trend for white wedding gowns. This colour was chosen by the Queen as a symbol of affluence and purity, as white fabric was more expensive and challenging to maintain in an era before widespread laundry services. This tradition was further popularised by subsequent royal weddings, such as that of Queen Victoria's granddaughter, Princess Alice, who wore a gown with a lengthy train and veil, setting a trend for the early 20th century.
As society progressed into the 20th century, the emergence of Hollywood and the silver screen introduced new influences on wedding fashion. Iconic wedding gowns from classic films, such as the one worn by Grace Kelly in "High Society" (1956), inspired brides with their elegant, sophisticated designs. The post-World War II era also brought about a shift towards more practical and affordable wedding attire, with many brides opting for suits or shorter dresses that could be worn again.
The 1960s and 1970s marked a period of experimentation and diversity in bridal fashion. Brides embraced a range of styles, from mini dresses to elaborate, romantic gowns. As social norms changed and women's roles evolved, wedding dresses reflected these shifts. The hippie movement influenced bridal attire, with some brides opting for simple, flowy dresses, floral crowns, and natural, outdoor settings for their weddings.
Today, the wedding dress industry is a multimillion-dollar business, with brides having countless options to choose from. While white dresses remain popular, modern brides are not limited by tradition and often incorporate colour, be it a subtle hint or a bold statement. Many brides opt for dresses that reflect their unique personalities and the themes of their weddings, whether that leans towards the boho-chic style, sleek and modern silhouettes, or glamorous, princess-like ball gowns.
The modern wedding dress is a symbol of self-expression, cultural heritage, and personal style. Brides may choose to honour their cultural roots through their attire, incorporating traditional fabrics, colours, and styles into their wedding looks. Ultimately, the wedding dress, in modern times, serves as a canvas for the bride to showcase her authentic self and write her own definition of what a bridal vision should be.
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Frequently asked questions
The tradition of wearing special bridal dresses for weddings came into effect in the 19th century. However, prior to this, brides were expected to wear dresses that reflected the status of their families. Wealthy families wore rich colours and exclusive fabrics, while brides from lower social strata wore their best church dress.
The white wedding dress originated in the 19th century and became popularised by Queen Victoria, who wore a white gown when she married Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840.
Before white wedding dresses became popular, brides would wear a variety of colours depending on what they could afford. Wealthy brides wore bold colours and layers of furs, velvet and silk, while red was one of the most popular colours as it symbolised fertility.
Wedding dresses hold a significant place in fashion, symbolizing personal expression, cultural traditions and societal values. In Western culture, white wedding dresses have come to symbolise purity and virginity, while in the East, brides often wear red to symbolise auspiciousness.
