Junior Rasmussen
The history of the wedding dress is shorter than the history of marriage and weddings. For most of history, there was no such thing as a wedding dress style, and brides would wear their best dress to the ceremony. Wedding dresses only became a thing in the 19th century, with the first documented instance of a royal bride wearing a white wedding dress being Philippa of England in 1406. However, it wasn't until Queen Victoria of England wore a white gown on her wedding day in 1840 that the white wedding dress became popular.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 10 February 1840 |
| Colour | White |
| Fabric | Spitalfields cream silk-satin |
| Details | Slim waist, full crinoline petticoat, flounce of Honiton lace at the neck and sleeves |
| Bride | Queen Victoria of England |
| Groom | Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha |
| Significance | Popularised the white wedding dress |
| Previous colours | Any colour, including black in Finland, gold, blue |
| Previous fabrics | Velvet, silk, fur |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Wedding dresses became popular in the 19th century
Wedding dresses as we know them today—white, extravagant, and purpose-made—became popular in the 19th century. This was largely due to the influence of Queen Victoria, who wore a white wedding dress when she married Prince Albert in 1840. The dress was made from English Spitalfields silk and Honiton lace, with a deep v-shaped waistline and a full, floor-length skirt. Illustrations of the wedding were widely published, and many brides opted for white in accordance with the Queen's choice. White had not been the only acceptable colour prior to Queen Victoria's wedding, but it had been a popular choice for centuries. However, wealthy brides typically wore silver or gold to display their royalty and social status.
Before the 19th century, wedding dresses were usually made from rich colours and elegant, rare fabrics like velvet and silk, and often incorporated fur. The extravagance of the gown was a way for the bride's family to display their wealth and social status. The dress would often be re-worn or re-purposed for other occasions, so the cut and colour needed to be suitable for multiple uses. Common colours for these multi-use wedding dresses included russet, brown, grey, and light purple.
In the 19th century, it was also typical for bridesmaids to wear white dresses and veils. Wedding dresses of the time featured structured silhouettes and intricate details, reflecting the prevailing styles. As the century progressed, wedding dresses became looser and more delicate, with lace becoming popular in the Edwardian era.
How to Resize Your Corset Back Wedding Dress
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Queen Victoria popularised the white wedding dress
The wedding dress has been a significant way to make a public statement about the wealth and social standing of the bride's family. Before the mid-1800s, wedding dresses were usually fashioned in rich colours and elegant and/or rare fabrics. Velvet and silk were popular selections, and some designers incorporated fur.
Queen Victoria is commonly credited with the wide-scale popularity of the white wedding dress. On the day of her wedding to her cousin, Prince Albert, in 1840, Queen Victoria stated she would make her vows as Albert's future wife and not in her role as the monarch. She chose to wear a white satin court train, bordered with orange blossom—a symbol of virtue and fertility—instead of the crimson velvet robe of state. This romantic gesture, and the notion of the Queen as an adoring and innocent bride, captured public attention.
The visual ideal of the bride clad in pure white spread quickly, largely owing to the rise of print media and newspapers, and their lively descriptions of society weddings. With print media came commercialisation. Fashion plates, adverts, valentine cards and sheet music, all sold the image of the white dress and lace veil as a model of romantic propriety and purity. As a result, if a bride was marrying for the first time and could afford it, a white wedding dress became the norm.
Queen Victoria's original choice of white was, however, as much about practicality and patriotism as it was purity. As head of state, with business on her mind, she wanted to support and stimulate Britain's lace industry. She chose a large piece of handmade Honiton lace, and white was the best colour to showcase this.
It is important to note that the idea of a white wedding dress was not novel in 1840. While it was not the only acceptable colour, white had already been a popular colour choice for a wedding gown for centuries. The earliest recorded instance of a white wedding dress in Western culture is that of the English Princess Philippa at her wedding to the Scandinavian King Eric in 1406. She wore a white tunic lined with ermine and squirrel fur. In 1558, Mary Queen of Scots wore white during her wedding to the soon-to-be King of France, Francis, the Dauphin of France, because it was her favourite colour, although white was the colour of mourning for French queens at the time.
Fall Wedding Attire: Dressing for October Nuptials
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$28.49 $31.99
Brides traditionally wore their best dress
For most of history, there was no such thing as a "wedding dress" or a specific style for brides. Brides rarely had a dress made specifically for their wedding and would usually wear their best dress for the ceremony. The dress would be chosen by the bride's family to showcase their wealth and social status. Wedding gowns were considered a significant way to make a public statement about the power and wealth of the bride's family. Wealthy brides would wear expensive and exclusive fabrics, such as velvet, silk, and fur, in bold colours. Brides from lower social strata would wear their best church dress, often in any colour other than white, which was a popular choice for brides who could afford it.
In medieval times, marriages were a union between two families, businesses, or even countries, and the bride's dress was chosen to showcase the financial means of her family. Medieval brides often wore rich colours and expensive fabrics, with red being one of the most popular colours, perhaps because it symbolised fertility.
In the 19th century, wedding traditions evolved, and wearing special bridal dresses for weddings became more common. This was influenced by the marriage of Queen Victoria to Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840. Queen Victoria wore a white gown trimmed with Honiton lace, which was considered a non-traditional choice at the time. Illustrations of the wedding were widely published, and many brides opted for white in accordance with the Queen's choice. White became associated with purity, innocence, and wealth, and it gradually became the default colour for wedding dresses in Western cultures.
It is worth noting that the history of the wedding dress is relatively recent compared to the history of weddings and marriage. The concept of a unique wedding gown is largely a product of the modern era, influenced by fashion trends, social dynamics, and cultural norms that have evolved over time.
The Art of Pressing: Wedding Dress Perfection
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$14.99
$14.99 $16.99
$9.99 $19.99
White symbolises purity and innocence
The wedding dress has evolved over time, with the first documented instance of a royal bride wearing a white wedding dress being Philippa of England in 1406. She wore a white tunic lined with ermine and squirrel fur. White wedding dresses became popular in the 19th century, particularly after Queen Victoria wore a white gown when she married in 1840.
White is a colour that symbolises purity and innocence in many cultures. In Western culture, it is often associated with innocence or purity. In Christianity, it symbolises purity, wisdom, holiness, or devotion to God. Jesus is described as wearing white cloths after his resurrection, and God's hair is described as white in the Bible. White is also the colour of purity in India and is associated with gratitude, esteem, and fertility in Bedouin culture. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, white symbolises purity, innocence, and cleanliness, and it is worn by all participants in religious ceremonies to symbolise unity and equality before God.
The colour white has long been associated with brides and weddings, with Western brides typically wearing white gowns. The colour is thought to convey the bride's purity and innocence. In some cultures, such as traditional Kurdish weddings, the bride wears a red dress to symbolise postcoital bleeding after losing her virginity. In Western cultures, the white wedding gown has symbolised purity and grace since the 19th century, while Eastern cultures often feature elaborate, colourful garments imbued with symbolic meanings.
The association between white and purity or innocence has also influenced other areas of life, such as high society debutantes traditionally wearing white for their first ball. In English heraldry, white or silver signifies brightness, purity, virtue, and innocence. White is also used in hospitals to convey sterility and cleanliness.
While white has become the default colour for wedding dresses in Western cultures, there is no hard and fast rule that a bride must wear pristine white. Designers have created wedding dresses in off-white hues, such as ivory, cream, and champagne, for decades. These colours are now considered classics, and designers continue to explore a range of neutrals, such as ecru and taupe.
Tactfully Requesting Wedding Addresses from Your Guests
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Wedding dresses reflect contemporary trends
Wedding dresses have long been a way for brides to make a statement about their families' wealth and social standing. In the past, this often meant that brides from wealthy families wore bold colours and layers of expensive fabrics, including velvet, silk, and fur. The average bride, on the other hand, would simply wear her best dress to the ceremony.
The white wedding dress became popular in Western culture in the 19th century when Queen Victoria wore a white gown to marry Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840. The dress was made from Spitalfields cream silk-satin with a flounce of Honiton lace at the neck and sleeves and featured a slim waist and full crinoline petticoat. Illustrations of the wedding were widely published, and many brides opted for white in accordance with the Queen's choice. White wedding dresses had already been worn by English Princess Philippa in 1406 and Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1558 or 1559, but Queen Victoria's choice popularised the style, and it has since become a symbol of purity and innocence in Western cultures.
Wedding dresses have continued to evolve, reflecting contemporary trends while retaining traditional elements. For example, in the early 21st century, many wedding dresses were sleeveless and strapless, while other brides preferred styles with sleeves, higher necklines, and covered backs. In the 1920s, with women's right to vote, gowns shifted from heavy ballgowns to lighter, straight lace and silk dresses. In the 1940s and 1950s, the silhouette was revolutionized by Christian Dior's "New Look", which included full skirts with pleats, cinched waists, padded hips, and relaxed shoulders. In the 1960s, brides embraced bright colours and playful designs, such as coat dresses and practical cotton outfits. In the 1970s, two trends emerged: a flowy and bohemian look and a more corporate style.
Today, wedding dresses offer a wide range of styles that allow brides to express their individuality. The latest designs feature drop-waist silhouettes, convertible gowns, intricate crystal embellishments, tulle, and vintage-inspired charm. While white is still the default colour in Western cultures, off-white hues such as ivory, cream, and champagne have become classics, and designers have recently added neutrals such as ecru and taupe.
Mercedes S-Class: The Perfect Wedding Dress Companion
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The tradition of wearing wedding dresses came into effect in the 19th century when wedding traditions of the medieval times evolved into modern wedding customs.
Medieval wedding dresses were made of rich colours and expensive fabrics such as silk, velvet and fur. Red was one of the most popular colours, perhaps because it symbolised fertility.
White wedding dresses became popular in the mid-19th century, after Queen Victoria wore a white gown when she married Prince Albert in 1840.
Queen Victoria's white wedding dress was made from Spitalfields cream silk-satin with a flounce of Honiton lace at the neck and sleeves. It featured a slim waist, a full crinoline petticoat, and lace embellishments.
Brides who couldn't afford a wedding dress would wear their best dress for the ceremony.
