Deborah Chan
The white wedding dress is a tradition that is believed to have been started by Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress for her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. White wedding dresses quickly became a status symbol, as they were difficult to keep clean and could be easily ruined, and came to symbolise purity, innocence, and new beginnings. Today, the tradition persists, with the majority of brides still opting for white wedding dresses, although more and more brides are choosing to deviate from this tradition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | Queen Victoria wore a white wedding dress in 1840, popularising the colour. |
| White wedding dresses became a status symbol and were favoured by elite brides. | |
| In the 20th century, white dresses became more accessible and were worn as single-use garments. | |
| In recent years, the majority of brides still opt for white dresses, but some deviate from this tradition. | |
| Symbolism | White symbolises purity, innocence, youth, and new beginnings. |
| In some cultures, white is worn at other significant life events, such as baptisms and graduations. | |
| White dresses are seen as traditional and timeless, often chosen to honour family customs and expectations. | |
| White helps the bride stand out and feel special, marking a "big milestone". | |
| Practicality | White dresses may be chosen for their availability and variety of styles and materials. |
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What You'll Learn
The tradition was popularised by Queen Victoria
The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white gown when she married Prince Albert in 1840. The fashion-conscious queen chose a non-traditional dress and flower crown for her wedding, which she described as "the happiest day of my life".
Before Queen Victoria, royal brides wore a variety of colours, with red being one of the most popular choices. Debutantes had long been required to wear white court dresses and long white gloves for their first presentation at court, and Queen Victoria herself wore white to her wedding. As accounts of Victoria's wedding spread across the Atlantic and throughout Europe, fashionable people followed her lead. By the end of the 19th century, white dresses were the garment of choice for elite brides on both sides of the Atlantic.
White wedding dresses were also a way to show the world that the bride's family was wealthy and part of the leisure class. They were favoured primarily because they could be easily ruined by any sort of work or spill, so a bride who chose to wear white was making a statement about her family's financial situation.
In the 20th century, as society became more prosperous, the tradition also grew to include the practice of wearing the dress only once. This was also influenced by the portrayal of weddings in Hollywood, as well as the speed and ease with which people could see images of celebrity weddings. Today, the majority of wedding dresses are still white, though many brides choose to incorporate other colours or details such as black trim or floral prints.
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Symbolises purity and innocence
The white wedding dress is a tradition that is often said to have started with Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress for her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. White had long been a colour reserved for royal women's wedding gowns, with red being a more popular choice in Western Europe.
The white wedding dress is a symbol of purity and innocence. In many societies, the colour white has long been associated with purity and virtue, and this is one reason why brides choose to wear white, especially in Western cultures. The tradition of wearing white on one's wedding day is also about honouring tradition, paying tribute to family expectations, and creating a timeless, classic moment that ties generations together.
White wedding dresses also symbolise new beginnings and youth. They are a status symbol, and in the past, they were favoured as a way to show that the bride's family was wealthy and firmly part of the leisure class. White dresses were also a way for brides to stand out on their wedding day.
The colour white is also a "big milestone" colour in many cultures, used for important ceremonies such as baptisms, confirmations, and graduations, in addition to weddings. For some brides, the decision to wear white is simply because it is the most widely available colour for formal gowns, and it makes them feel pretty and special.
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White dresses are a status symbol
White wedding dresses have been a symbol of status since Queen Victoria wore a white dress for her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. The royal bride's choice of a white court dress set a new trend, as previously, royal brides did not typically wear white. Instead, they opted for heavy brocaded gowns embroidered with white and silver thread, with red being a particularly popular colour in Western Europe.
White dresses quickly became a status symbol, favoured as a way to demonstrate that the bride's family was wealthy enough to purchase an elaborate dress that could be worn only once and ruined by any sort of work or spill. This trend was further boosted by the 1981 wedding of Diana Spencer and Charles, Prince of Wales, which saw her wear an elaborate white taffeta dress with an 8-metre train, watched by 750 million people worldwide.
The white wedding dress has also come to symbolise purity and innocence, with white being associated with these qualities in many societies. This association further elevates the status of the dress as a symbol of a new beginning and a pure, innocent start to married life.
Today, the white wedding dress is often chosen to honour tradition and family expectations, particularly in more traditional weddings where the family is heavily involved in the planning process. It is also a practical choice, as white is the most widely available colour for formal gowns, offering the most options for style and material.
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It's a way to stand out as the bride
The white wedding dress is a tradition that is believed to have started with Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress for her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. White wedding dresses quickly became a status symbol, as they were expensive and could easily be ruined. They also symbolised purity and innocence.
Today, the tradition of wearing white on one's wedding day is often about standing out and being easily recognised as the bride. One bride commented that her husband called her "the great white" because she would be easy to find. Another bride said that she chose a white dress because she never wears white, so it made the occasion feel more extravagant.
In addition, white is a widely available colour for formal gowns, and it is often considered a traditional choice. One bride commented that she chose a white dress because it was classic and she could wear a pretty dress of another colour at any other occasion.
While the majority of brides still opt for white wedding dresses, this tradition is slowly evolving, with more brides choosing colourful dresses or wearing a non-traditional outfit, such as a jumpsuit.
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White dresses are now considered classic
White wedding dresses are considered classic due to several reasons, including tradition, fashion, and symbolism. Firstly, the tradition of wearing white on one's wedding day was popularised by Queen Victoria, who wore a white lace dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. This non-traditional choice set a new fashion trend, with white dresses becoming a status symbol and a way for brides to stand out and make a statement. Over time, the white dress became associated with purity, innocence, and new beginnings, further cementing its popularity.
The white wedding dress trend was further boosted by prominent weddings such as Grace Kelly's in 1956 and Diana Spencer's in 1981, which brought global attention to the white gown. Additionally, the increased prosperity and cheaper clothing production after World War II made single-use white wedding dresses more accessible to middle-class brides. The portrayal of weddings in Hollywood and the media also contributed to the perception of white dresses as classic and traditional.
Today, white remains the most popular colour choice for wedding dresses, with 83% of brides selecting white attire in a 2022 survey. While some brides choose white to honour tradition and family expectations, others appreciate the wide range of style and material options available in this colour. White dresses are also seen as a way to stand out as a bride and create a memorable moment that ties generations together.
The colour white itself holds significance in many societies, often associated with purity, virtue, and milestone life events. For some brides, wearing white is a way to embrace the traditional symbolism of innocence and new beginnings while paying tribute to their family's customs and values. Ultimately, the white wedding dress has endured as a classic choice due to its combination of fashion, tradition, and symbolic meaning.
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Frequently asked questions
Women wear white wedding dresses due to tradition. The tradition is commonly credited to Queen Victoria, who wore a white dress when she married Prince Albert in 1840. White symbolises purity, innocence, youth, and new beginnings.
Queen Victoria was a fashion-lover and wanted to make a statement. She chose a non-traditional dress for her wedding, which was considered the happiest day of her life.
No, the white wedding dress tradition varies from culture to culture. For instance, brides traditionally wear red in Indian and Chinese weddings, as it symbolises prosperity and fertility.
