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The white wedding dress is a common tradition in the Western world, but it wasn't until Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840 that the white dress became popular. White symbolises purity and innocence, and it also stands out in wedding portraits. In the modern era, brides are increasingly embracing their personal style and opting for colours that resonate with them, such as soft blush, bold red, or black.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | White symbolises purity, innocence, new beginnings, youth, and virginity. |
| History | In 1840, Queen Victoria wore a white dress to her wedding, popularising the colour. |
| Photography | White dresses stand out in black-and-white or sepia-toned portraits. |
| Status | White dresses were a symbol of wealth and prestige. |
| Tradition | The colour white is traditional for wedding dresses in the Western world. |
| Popularity | 83% of brides selected white attire in 2022. |
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What You'll Learn
White symbolises purity and innocence
The colour white has long been associated with purity and innocence in many societies. This is one reason why brides, especially in the West, choose to wear white.
The tradition of wearing white wedding dresses was popularised by Queen Victoria in 1840. Before this, wedding dresses were of various colours, with royal women wearing gold or silver gowns. However, the white wedding dress became a status symbol and symbolised purity and innocence.
Fashion historian Kimberley Chrisman-Campbell notes that white remains popular today because it symbolises "innocence, purity, virginity, youth, and new beginnings". Additionally, white dresses looked distinct and stood out in the black-and-white or sepia-toned photographic portraits of the time.
While the colour white is still the most popular choice for wedding dresses, modern brides are becoming more daring and experimental with their choices. Some opt for off-white, ivory, or soft hues like peach, pink, and pale blue, while others choose bold colours like red or black to make a statement.
In summary, the colour white symbolises purity and innocence, and this has contributed to its popularity as the traditional colour for wedding dresses in Western cultures. However, modern brides are increasingly embracing a wider range of colours that resonate with their personal style and tastes.
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White dresses stand out in photographs
The tradition of wearing white wedding dresses became popular in the West following Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840. However, this trend has evolved over time, and modern brides are increasingly embracing colours other than white, such as soft blush, bold red, or even black.
White wedding dresses have persisted in popularity for several reasons, one of which is their ability to stand out in photographs. The rise of photography and wedding portraits played a significant role in popularising the white wedding dress trend. White dresses looked distinct and visually appealing in the early black-and-white or sepia-toned photographic portraits, which often had a muddy appearance.
The colour white provided a crisp and clean background that showcaseed the bride's beauty and ensured she stood out in the image. This was especially important in the early days of photography when image quality was not as advanced as it is today. The contrast between the white dress and the rest of the scene created a visually pleasing composition that flattered the bride and created a memorable photograph.
In addition to its visual appeal, the colour white has also carried symbolic meanings that have contributed to its popularity. In Western societies, white has long been associated with purity, innocence, virginity, youth, and new beginnings. These symbolic associations aligned with the ideals of Victorian weddings and romantic love, further cementing the preference for white wedding dresses.
While the tradition of wearing white is still prevalent, modern brides have more options than ever when it comes to choosing their wedding dress colour. Shades of white, such as ivory, diamond white, and cream, are popular choices that offer a softer look and complement a wide range of skin tones. Additionally, bolder colours like red, blue, and black are gaining popularity, reflecting the bride's personal style and taste. Ultimately, the choice of wedding dress colour should reflect the bride's unique personality and what makes her feel most beautiful on her special day.
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White dresses show wealth and prestige
The tradition of wearing white wedding dresses is said to have originated with Anne of Brittany, who wore white when she married Louis XII of France in 1499. However, it was Queen Victoria's choice of a white wedding dress in 1840 that truly popularised the trend. Prior to this, royal women often wore gold or silver gowns, and non-royal brides typically wore their best dress, regardless of colour.
White wedding dresses quickly became a status symbol, associated with wealth and prestige. They were initially worn by young, wealthy brides, and were considered a reversal of the usual practice of wearing coloured dresses. In the centuries before the 19th century, wedding dresses were often colourful, with red, violet, and blue being popular choices in ancient Athens, and the ancient Greeks opting for red or purple, colours associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of sexual love. Upper-class medieval brides wore bold colours like fur, velvet, and silk, while those of lower status wore their best dress, which was often blue, a colour associated with the Virgin Mary.
The colour white has also been associated with purity and innocence, and it has been suggested that this symbolism contributed to the popularity of white wedding dresses. In Western societies, white is often seen as a symbol of purity, innocence, and new beginnings, and it has been claimed that a white wedding dress represents "the purity and innocence of girlhood, and the unsullied heart she now yields to the chosen one."
Today, the colour white remains the most popular choice for wedding dresses, with 83% of brides in 2022 opting for white attire, although this number has decreased from 96% in 2015. Shades of white, such as ivory, are also common choices, as they flatter a wide range of skin tones and photograph beautifully. While white dresses are still traditional in Western cultures, modern brides are increasingly embracing colourful options that reflect their personal style, with soft blush, bold red, and black becoming more popular choices.
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White wedding dresses are a tradition
The white dress became a status symbol, as it showed wealth and prestige, and it also carried a symbolic meaning. In many societies, white is associated with purity, innocence, and virginity, and it was believed to ward off evil spirits. In Victorian times, magazines proclaimed that white was not only the best colour for a wedding dress but that it had always been the most appropriate choice, projecting these ideals of purity and innocence back through history.
The rise of photography also played a role in popularising white wedding dresses. White stood out in black-and-white or sepia-toned portraits, providing a good background to showcase the bride's beauty. In the past, brides often wore their best dress, regardless of colour, and would wear it again after the wedding. However, as white dresses became a symbol of status and purity, they became more popular, and the idea of wearing a white wedding dress became entrenched in Western tradition.
Today, the tradition of wearing white is still popular, with 83% of brides choosing white attire in 2022, according to one source. However, the colour is no longer exclusively associated with purity and innocence, as brides are now free to choose whatever colour they prefer, with some opting for bold colours like red or black.
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White is a popular choice in the West
The white wedding dress tradition is often attributed to Queen Victoria, who wore white when she married Prince Albert in 1840. However, some sources claim that the tradition was started by Anne of Brittany in 1499 when she married Louis XII of France. Regardless, Queen Victoria's choice of a white wedding dress certainly popularised the trend, and by 1849, women's magazines were proclaiming that white was not only the best colour for a wedding dress but that it had always been the best and most appropriate choice.
The rise of photography also played a role in popularising white wedding dresses, as the colour stood out in black-and-white or sepia-toned portraits. In 1981, another significant boost was given to the white wedding style when 750 million people watched the wedding of Diana Spencer and Charles, Prince of Wales, with Diana wearing an elaborate white taffeta dress with an 8-metre train.
Today, white is still the most popular choice for brides in the West, with 83% of brides in a 2022 survey selecting white attire, although this number has decreased from 96% in 2015. The popularity of white is often attributed to tradition, with many brides choosing it because it is customary. Different shades of white, such as ivory, are also gaining popularity as they flatter a wide range of skin tones and photograph beautifully.
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Frequently asked questions
White has long been associated with purity and innocence, and in the West, it is the traditional colour for brides. However, this tradition is relatively modern, and wedding dresses have been made in a variety of colours.
White wedding dresses became popular in the 1840s when Queen Victoria wore a white dress to marry Prince Albert.
Wedding dresses can be found in a variety of colours, including ivory, diamond white, black, red, blue, pink, and yellow.
