George Boyle
Wedding dresses have evolved over time, with current trends including floral prints and black detailing, but the majority of wedding dresses are still white. The tradition of white wedding dresses is often credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. White wedding dresses were initially a symbol of wealth and status, as they were hard to keep clean and could be ruined by any sort of work or spill. Over time, the colour white also became associated with purity, innocence, and new beginnings, though today it is mostly chosen for traditional and aesthetic reasons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Color | White, ivory, eggshell, ecru, red, pink, black, blue, yellow, brown, gray |
| Silhouette | Ball gown, A-line, sheath/column, trumpet/fit-and-flare, mermaid, jumpsuit |
| Neckline | Sweetheart, V-neck, off-the-shoulder, halter, scoop, square, illusion |
| Sleeves | Sleeveless, cap sleeves, short sleeves, long sleeves |
| Skirt | Full, flared, A-line, mermaid, straight |
| Train | Sweep, court, cathedral, royal |
| Fabric | Lace, silk, taffeta, tulle, satin, chiffon, organza |
| Embellishments | Beading, crystals, pearls, ruffles, bows |
| Venue and theme | Formal, informal, beach, garden, cultural/traditional |
| Body type | Hourglass, petite, plus size, athletic, lean |
| Personal preference | Comfort, elegance, modernity, vintage charm, romanticism |
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What You'll Learn
Queen Victoria's influence
Queen Victoria is credited with starting the tradition of white wedding dresses when she married Prince Albert in 1840. Before Queen Victoria, wedding dresses came in a variety of colours, with red being a particularly popular choice in Western Europe. Royal brides, too, opted for colourful dresses, with white dresses reserved for debutantes being presented at court for the first time.
Queen Victoria's choice of a white court dress was reportedly to showcase the fine detailed Honiton lace produced by the British lace industry, which was struggling at the time. Her wedding received extensive coverage in newspapers and magazines, and soon white wedding dresses became popular among the elite on both sides of the Atlantic. As white dresses gained popularity, they also became a symbol of purity and innocence, in addition to wealth.
White wedding dresses were initially a status symbol, as laundering clothing in the 19th century was challenging, and white dresses were difficult to maintain and prone to discolouration. Only wealthy brides could afford to choose an elaborate dress that could be ruined by any sort of work or spill.
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Symbolism of purity and innocence
The white wedding dress has become a symbol of purity and innocence, but this symbolism is a development of the 19th century when Queen Victoria wore a white wedding dress in 1840. Before this, wedding dresses were of various colours, with red being a particularly popular choice in Western Europe. Royal brides, in particular, wore "heavy brocaded gowns embroidered with white and silver thread".
White dresses were originally a symbol of wealth and status, as they were hard to keep clean and therefore could be easily ruined. This made them impractical for working women, and so they were a way for wealthy women to show that they were part of the leisure class. Etiquette books of the time described the colour white as carrying "a connotation of innocence and virginal purity".
The white wedding dress was popularised by Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress to her wedding with Prince Albert. Victoria's choice of dress was likely influenced by the fact that white dresses were traditionally worn by debutantes being presented at court for the first time. The white dress was also a way to showcase the detailed Honiton lace produced by the British lace industry, which was floundering at the time.
As accounts of Victoria's wedding spread across the Atlantic and throughout Europe, fashionable people followed her lead. The white wedding dress was given another significant boost in popularity in 1981, when 750 million people watched the wedding of Diana Spencer and Charles, Prince of Wales, where Diana wore an elaborate white taffeta dress with an 8-metre train.
Today, the white wedding dress is largely chosen as a way to honour tradition, pay tribute to family expectations, and create a timeless, classic moment that ties generations together.
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Status symbol
Wedding dresses have historically been used as a status symbol, with the colour, style, and fabric chosen by the bride influenced by her and the groom's faith, culture, and societal background. In the Middle Ages and early Western society, weddings were often driven by political considerations, family unions, or business deals rather than romantic love, especially among the nobility and higher social classes. Brides were expected to dress in a way that reflected the status of their families, with those from wealthy families wearing rich colours, bold colours, and exclusive fabrics, such as furs, velvet, and silk. The attire of the bride was a testament to the wealth and social standing of her family.
The introduction of the white wedding dress by Queen Victoria in 1840 quickly turned it into a status symbol, with the colour white evolving to symbolize purity, innocence, virginity, youth, and new beginnings. White wedding dresses were soon proclaimed to be the best and most appropriate choice for brides, with the colour being an emblem of the "purity and innocence of girlhood". In modern times, the white wedding dress is more about tradition and paying tribute to family expectations, creating a powerful and emotional connection to the past.
In some cultures, the colour red is chosen for wedding dresses, which is considered more auspicious and celebratory. In Indian weddings, red symbolizes the rising sun and is seen as the colour of prosperity and fertility. In Chinese weddings, red is chosen due to its mythical roots.
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Hollywood and celebrity influence
Celebrity wedding dresses have a massive influence on bridal fashion. From royalty to Hollywood A-listers, these celebrity wedding outfits often garner worldwide attention, and it's not surprising that fans and brides-to-be fawn over the details for years to come.
Grace Kelly's wedding dress, which she wore when she married Monaco's Prince Rainier in 1956, is one of the most iconic celebrity wedding dresses of all time. The gown, designed by MGM costume designer Helen Rose, featured a high neckline, long lace sleeves, and multiple petticoats. The dress included over 400 yards of fabric, which was embellished with small pearls. The design continues to inspire countless brides to this day.
Princess Diana's wedding dress is another iconic celebrity wedding look. The extravagant ball gown featured the longest train in royal wedding history. Mariah Carey was inspired by Princess Diana's wedding dress and wanted to create a similar fairytale princess look for her wedding to Tommy Mottola in 1993.
Other celebrities who have been inspired by Grace Kelly's wedding dress include Miranda Kerr, who worked with Dior's Maria Grazia Chiuri to create a custom gown for her wedding to Snapchat founder Evan Spiegel in 2017. Similarly, Chiara Ferragni, who married Italian rapper Federico Leonardo Lucia in 2018, and Lily Collins, who tied the knot with Charlie McDowell in 2021, also had Grace Kelly-inspired wedding dresses.
Celebrity brides such as Hailey Bieber, Zoë Kravitz, and Ariana Grande have challenged the traditional white dress by wearing designer pieces from Alexander Wang and Virgil Abloh. On the other hand, brides seeking a more timeless look can still opt for designers like Maria Grazia Chiuri at Christian Dior.
In addition to influencing wedding dress styles, celebrities also set trends for wedding guests. For example, Nicky Rothschild, née Hilton, wore a lace Alice and Olivia column dress to her sister's wedding, while Kim Kardashian wore a cut-out Rick Owens gown to Paris Hilton's autumnal nuptials.
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Photography and fashion
Wedding dresses are a staple of the bridal fashion industry. With countless options available, from various bridal brands worldwide, each dress is unique and tailored to the bride's preferences. The process of choosing a wedding dress involves trying on different gowns, considering various styles, and deciding on a design that flatters one's figure and personality. This decision is deeply personal, and brides often seek a dress that stands out and reflects their individual style.
The silhouette of a wedding dress plays a crucial role in its overall appeal. Different styles, such as the mermaid, fit-and-flare, and sheath dresses, offer varied shapes that cater to different tastes and body types. The mermaid style, for example, hugs the body snugly and flares dramatically below the knees, accentuating the curves of the bride. On the other hand, a sheath or column dress provides a more minimal and fitted silhouette. These varying silhouettes allow brides to choose a style that best complements their figure and creates a desired visual effect.
Details such as lace, beading, embroidery, and pockets can also enhance the overall design and functionality of a wedding dress. These embellishments add texture, elegance, and a personal touch to the gown. Additionally, removable pieces like overskirts and toppers allow brides to modify their look throughout the day, providing versatility and a sense of drama.
When it comes to photography, the visual appeal of a wedding dress is essential. The dress should not only look stunning in person but also translate beautifully through the lens. Photographers aim to capture the intricate details, the flow of the fabric, and the overall silhouette of the gown. The right lighting, backdrops, and angles can accentuate the beauty of the dress, creating timeless photographs that showcase the bride's style and the dress's unique features.
Ultimately, the fashion and photography aspects of wedding dresses are intertwined. The dress is a central element of the bridal look, and its design, silhouette, and details come together to create a visually captivating ensemble. Through careful selection and customization, brides can achieve a wedding dress that not only flatters their figure but also creates stunning visual compositions in their wedding photographs, ensuring that their special day is captured in style.
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Frequently asked questions
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is said to have been started by Queen Victoria, who wore a white court dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. White wedding dresses quickly became a status symbol, as they were hard to keep clean and, therefore, showed that the bride's family was wealthy. Over time, the colour white also gained associations with purity and innocence.
No, wedding dresses come in a variety of colours and styles. While the majority of wedding dresses are still white, this number has decreased in recent years, with 83% of brides opting for white in 2022, compared to 96% in 2015.
Before the trend was set by Queen Victoria, brides wore a variety of colours, including blue, yellow, black, brown, and grey. Brides often simply wore the nicest dress they already owned, or a dress they planned to wear again.
In the mid-20th century, women were required to wear veils in many Christian churches. The wedding veil was said to symbolise that decorous brides were too timid to show their faces in public until they were married. The veil has persisted as a symbol of the bride, even when it is not required by the bride's religion.
