There are many traditions associated with weddings, but none more iconic than the white wedding dress. The image of a woman walking down the aisle in a beautiful white gown is one that we are all familiar with. But have you ever wondered where this particular tradition originated from? In this blog post, we will be exploring the history behind the tradition of the white wedding dress.
The Beginning
The tradition of the white wedding dress can be traced back to the wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840. It is said that Queen Victoria wore a white dress to show off the beautiful lace on the gown. At the time, the choice of a white dress was seen as an unusual one, as most brides wore vibrant colours on their wedding day. However, Queen Victoria’s influence was far-reaching, and soon many brides began to emulate her choice of a white wedding dress.
Changing Perceptions of White
Before Queen Victoria’s wedding, the colour white was associated with mourning in some cultures, particularly in Eastern cultures. However, over time, the perception of white changed, and it became associated with purity and innocence. This change in perception made the white wedding dress even more appealing to women, as it symbolized their purity and virginity.
White Beyond Royalty
After Queen Victoria’s wedding, the tradition of the white wedding dress began to spread across the globe. It was no longer just for royalty, but for women of all classes. However, the transition from coloured dresses to white ones was a slow one, taking several decades to fully catch on. By the 1920s, the white wedding dress had become the norm, and it has remained so ever since.
The Role of Advertisements
Advertisements also played a significant role in popularizing the tradition of the white wedding dress. In the early 20th century, wedding dress manufacturers began to advertise their white dresses in bridal magazines. These advertisements typically featured images of glamorous brides walking down the aisle in beautiful white gowns. The advertisements were successful, and soon the white wedding dress became the dream dress for millions of women.
Modern Takes on the White Wedding Dress
While the white wedding dress has remained a tradition for over a century, there have been some variations on the classic look. Some brides choose to wear dresses with small pops of colour, while others opt for non-white dresses altogether. Despite these variations, the white wedding dress remains the most popular choice for brides around the world.
Conclusion
The tradition of the white wedding dress originated with Queen Victoria’s wedding in 1840, and it has remained a staple of weddings ever since. While the white wedding dress is symbolic of purity and innocence, it has also become a symbol of glamour and elegance. From its earliest days, the white wedding dress has been a tradition that has been embraced by millions of women, and it continues to be a beloved tradition to this day.
FAQ
When did white become the color for wedding dresses?
The tradition of wearing white wedding dresses dates back over a century and a half. Prior to the mid-19th century, brides typically wore wedding dresses in a range of colors, including red, blue, purple, and yellow. In some cultures, black was a popular choice for wedding attire.
However, the trend for white wedding dresses began in 1840, after Queen Victoria of England married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Queen Victoria’s wedding dress was a beautiful gown made from white silk, trimmed with exquisite Honiton lace. Her choice of white for her wedding dress was considered very unusual at the time, as white was often associated with mourning rather than weddings.
However, the Queen’s wedding was widely covered by the press, and her choice of a white wedding dress inspired many brides to follow suit. By the end of the 19th century, white had become a popular color for wedding dresses in Western cultures, and it has remained a popular choice to this day.
In addition to its association with purity and innocence, white became a popular choice for wedding dresses because of the rise of the middle class in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As more people became wealthier, they started to see weddings as an opportunity to display their wealth, and a white wedding dress became a symbol of luxury and status.
While white wedding dresses have become a traditional choice for brides in many Western cultures, their popularity dates back to Queen Victoria’s wedding in 1840. Today, white wedding dresses remain a popular choice for brides around the world, although many brides also choose to wear dresses in a range of other colors.
What was the traditional wedding dress color before white?
Before Queen Victoria’s wedding in 1840, it was not a common practice for brides to wear white as their wedding dress color. In fact, brides would wear gowns of different colors, depending on their personal preferences and social status.
One of the popular colors for bridal gowns was red, which symbolized love and passion. In the Middle Ages, brides would sometimes wear scarlet gowns trimmed with ermine to showcase their wealth and status. In China and India, brides would often wear bright red or gold-colored dresses as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
Another popular color for wedding gowns was blue, which symbolized purity and fidelity. Many brides in ancient Rome wore light blue gowns. In medieval Europe, blue was also a common color for religious devotion and the Virgin Mary.
Other colors that brides would wear were pink, green, grey, and even black. During the Renaissance period, black gowns were often favored by wealthy and powerful brides, displaying their wealth and sophistication.
It wasn’t until 1840, when Queen Victoria wore a white dress for her wedding, that the white wedding gown became popular. Prior to this, the color white was associated with mourning and was not appropriate for weddings, especially among poorer brides who couldn’t afford to keep a white dress clean.
Victoria’s white dress and veil were not only a symbol of purity but also a statement of her wealth and status as a queen. Her wedding portrait was widely circulated, and many commoners began to emulate her style, leading to the popularization of the white wedding dress.
Brides throughout history have worn a range of colors for their wedding gowns, from red to blue to black, depending on their culture, religion, and personal taste. The popularity of the white wedding dress is a relatively recent phenomenon that owes much of its success to Queen Victoria’s fashion choices.
Can a non virgin wear a white wedding dress?
Traditionally, white is considered the symbol of purity and innocence, which is why it has been associated with weddings for many years. In the past, it was widely believed that brides had to be virgins to wear white on their wedding day. However, this view is archaic, and in today’s society, brides of all backgrounds and experiences can wear a white dress if they choose to do so.
While the idea of purity being linked to the color white may have been popular in the past, these days, it’s not always the case. More and more, brides are choosing other colors or styles for their wedding gowns, such as red, blue, or even black. It’s all about expressing your personal style and individuality on your special day.
There are many reasons why a non-virgin may choose to wear a white wedding dress. For some, the color holds significant cultural or religious meaning, and they want to honor those traditions on their big day. For others, it may simply be a preference or a style choice, and they don’t feel that their past experiences have any bearing on the color of their gown.
It’s also important to note that a bride’s virginity or sexual history is nobody’s business but her own. Regardless of whether or not someone is a virgin, they deserve to feel beautiful and confident on their wedding day. A white dress can be an incredible way to celebrate the occasion, and there’s no reason why anyone should be excluded from wearing one based on their sexual history.
The tradition of only virgins wearing white on their wedding day is outdated and no longer relevant. Anyone, regardless of their sexual history, can choose to wear a white wedding dress if they wish to do so. the most important thing is that the bride feels comfortable and beautiful in whatever color or style she chooses to wear.
