When Did the White Wedding Dress Tradition Begin
When we think of western weddings, we think of stunning white dresses that we can usually only dream about wearing. From a very young age, a lot of women will start daydreaming about their fairytale wedding day and of course, one of the best parts is the oh-so desirable white dress you will walk down the aisle in. But why are wedding dresses white? and why do brides wear white?
I bet it would shock you to learn that this tradition is actually fairly new in the western world. In this blog, you will learn about the history of the gorgeous white wedding dress and discover why wedding dresses are white.
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Why do brides wear white?
So you're wondering why wedding dresses are white? Centuries ago, it was far more frequent that women would choose other colours over white to wear as their wedding dress. Brides wore wedding dresses that were so many different colours, especially in western societies. This was mainly for practicality over anything else.
We are used to buying a wedding dress that will be worn once and then put to the back of the wardrobe and bought out again every few years for nostalgic reasons. But years ago, brides would often opt for a dress that they could wear again, or they simply wore their best dress that they already owned.
So, now to answer the question 'why wedding dresses are white'…
The now tradition actually started with Queen Victoria's 1840 wedding to Prince Albert. Before this, white was an uncommon choice of gown colour, largely due to impracticality (white is VERY hard to keep white) and cost (only the very wealthiest could afford to purchase a white dress that could only be worn once). The only other notable instance of white wedding gowns was from Mary Queen of Scots in 1559. However, when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert wed, wearing a white dress was suddenly very much sought after.
Just like today's royal weddings (remember blushing over how stunning Meghan Markle looked when she married Prince Harry?), royal weddings in the yonder years were also largely publicised, although not through nearly as many media channels. This meant that just like today, royal weddings had the tendency to be trendsetting. The fashion standards that the new royals set as the years go by are truly raised with each and every event. And if history tells us anything, we know that these trends are set deep in the annals of tradition, and we're bound to see a lot more ivory dresses in the future.
So, when Queen Victoria stepped out in a white gown, many newspapers and magazines reported on her fashion choice. Her decision to opt for a white gown was reportedly so she could show off the fine lace detail produced by the British lace industry. Not long after, many wealthier brides embraced the trend! They wore white wedding dresses, and eventually, this trend spread across all social class levels and was indented as 'tradition' in the 20th century.
Even today, lace is still a wonderful, sophisticated look many brides opt for. That's why we have an array of wedding dresses here at Occasions Bridal that has quality lace detail. Our favourites are Beth from the Le Papillion collection, Annabel from the Modeca Bridal collection, Isabelle from the Bianco Evento collection and the wonderful Artemis from the Paul Zeni collection.
A history of the traditional wedding dress
Today, white wedding dresses overwhelm us with their simplicity and beauty. However, when Queen Victoria first stepped out in her white gown, the guests found it all very underwhelming. Usually, a royal bride would wear fur, gold embroidery and rich colours to wow the crowd! So it's understandable why the original impact of the dress was not the best.
Centuries ago, royal weddings were more about wealth and political contracts over love, so people expected jewels and gold. For instance, Margaret of York's 1468 wedding dress was so heavy with jewels that she was carried to the church! Quite a leap from a bridesmaid helping pulls your dress up when you nip to the ladies! So, when Queen Victoria showed up in her simple white dress, she was making quite the statement.
But why a white wedding dress?
There are a number of reasons why Queen Victoria chose to wear white. Firstly, her dress was trimmed with handmade Honiton lace. At the time, the lace trade was declining and her wide reach could give the trade a boost. White was the best way to show off the lace makers artistry.
Secondly, she wanted to make her vows to her husband as the woman he loved with an unsullied heart, over a monarch. This is why she stayed away from heirloom jewels. White is the most fitting hue, a statement of purity and innocence and is the emblem of purity. Traditionally, brides wear this colour as a display of the innocence of girlhood.
Why wedding dresses are white – a conclusion
I hope you have learned some interesting facts about why wedding dresses are white and we have now fully answered the question 'why do brides wear white?'. It shocked us to learn that the beautiful white wedding dress hasn't always been a tradition. Did you know that we have Queen Victoria to thank for the trend?
However, even today, many cultures wear different colours. In China and India, brides wear red dresses as a symbol of good luck. Traditional Nigerian brides wear brightly coloured and immensely accessorised dresses. However, in Ghana, each family uses their own intricate cloth pattern.
At Occasions, we help you find your perfect wedding dress. With a number of designer collections to choose from our wedding dress shop near Portsmouth will have everything you need to find your perfect fit.
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Source: https://www.occasionsbridalfareham.co.uk/why-wedding-dresses-are-white/
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