When we think of wedding dresses, most of us envision a white gown. It’s the traditional and most popular choice for brides all around the world, and it has been for centuries. However, did you know that it wasn’t always this way? In fact, before the reign of Queen Victoria in the mid-1800s, most brides would wear dresses of different colours. One colour, in particular, was very popular – blue.
So, why did people wear blue wedding dresses? What was the significance of this colour, and why did it fall out of favour in favour of white? In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of blue wedding dresses and try to answer these questions.
The History of Blue Wedding Dresses
The tradition of wearing blue wedding dresses can be traced back to ancient Rome. Blue was the colour of good luck, and it signified purity, much like white does today. Brides would wear blue gowns made of wool, which were practical for the cold Mediterranean climate.
As centuries passed, blue remained a popular colour for brides. In medieval Europe, blue was seen as a colour that would protect brides from evil spirits and bring good luck. During the Renaissance, blue wedding dresses were popular among royalty and the upper class, as blue was an expensive and rare colour due to the difficulties of dyeing fabrics at the time.
In the 18th and early 19th century, blue wedding dresses became more widely available to the general population as the textile industry developed, and new shades of blue were created. In fact, blue was such a popular colour for wedding dresses that it was often called “bridal blue.”
The Emergence of White Wedding Dresses
While blue was the colour of choice for many brides, it wasn’t the only option. Brides would often wear dresses of different colours, depending on their preference and status. It wasn’t until Queen Victoria’s wedding to Prince Albert in 1840 that white became the most popular choice for brides and blue lost its prominence.
Queen Victoria’s wedding dress was made of white silk and featured a lace veil. It was a break with tradition, as white was not a practical colour for a wedding dress at the time. However, Victoria was determined to set a new trend, and her choice of colour caught on.
White soon became the choice of colour for brides all over Europe, and then all over the world. White was seen as a symbol of purity and innocence, and it became a tradition that has lasted to this day.
The Significance of Blue Wedding Dresses Today
While blue wedding dresses are no longer as popular as they once were, some brides still choose to wear them. Blue can still signify good luck and purity, and it’s a unique and beautiful choice for a wedding dress.
In recent years, blue wedding dresses have had a resurgence in popularity thanks to celebrity brides. In 2018, singer Mandy Moore wore a pale blue wedding dress for her nuptials, and in 2019, actress Ellie Goulding wore a stunning blue gown for her wedding.
Another reason that blue wedding dresses have become popular again is that many brides want to break from tradition and make a statement on their big day. A blue wedding dress is a bold and unique choice that will make any bride stand out.
Conclusion
Blue wedding dresses have a long and rich history, and they were once the most popular choice for brides all over the world. While they may have fallen out of favour in recent years, some brides still choose to wear them, and they remain a beautiful and unique option for a wedding dress. Whether you choose to wear white or blue, your wedding dress is a reflection of your personal style and your special day, and it should make you feel like the most beautiful bride in the world.
FAQ
When did brides wear blue?
The tradition of brides wearing blue dates back centuries, and it carries deep symbolic meaning. In fact, throughout history, blue has been a popular choice for bridal attire due to its association with love, fertility, and purity. Therefore, it was almost customary for a Victorian-era bride to include blue in her wedding day attire.
During this time period, brides typically wore a dress that reflected their family’s wealth, but the idea of wearing white crept into prominence thanks to Queen Victoria in her royal wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. However, the tradition of brides wearing blue remained popular for those who wanted to include something blue in their wedding ensemble.
In modern times, while white remains the most popular choice for wedding dresses, it is still common to see brides incorporate blue into their wedding day look. The most popular way brides continue with the tradition is by adding a blue ribbon, hair accessory, shoes or flowers. However, some modern brides choose to be bolder with their use of blue and opt for blue wedding dresses or add blue elements throughout their entire wedding ceremony. the choice to include blue in one’s wedding attire is deeply personal and can add a touch of tradition and elegance to any bride’s special day.
What color did brides wear in the 1800s?
In the 1800s, a bride’s wedding dress color was not always white as it is today. Instead, brides chose to wear dresses in a wide range of colors including blue, yellow, green, and even black.
For example, during the Civil War era, some brides wore dresses made of silk in shades of gray or brown because these materials were more affordable. However, as economic progress advanced and the middle class grew, the white wedding gown became the popular choice for most brides.
The tradition of white wedding dresses is often associated with Queen Victoria, who wore a white gown for her wedding in 1840. This trend soon caught on, and by the end of the century, many brides opted for a white dress as a symbol of their purity and innocence.
Despite this trend, some brides still chose to wear gowns in different colors. Lady’s maid Harriett Joyce, for example, wore a tailored purple dress for her wedding in 1889. It’s worth noting that brides in the 1800s didn’t have the same expectations or traditions around wedding dress colors as we do today.
While white wedding dresses became popular in the late 1800s, brides in the 1800s wore dresses in a wide range of colors, depending on their personal taste and social status.
What color wedding dress was popular before white?
For many people, the wedding dress is one of the most important elements of any wedding ceremony. Traditionally, the wedding dress is a long, flowing white gown that symbolizes purity, innocence, and virginity. However, this has not always been the case. Before the trend of white wedding dresses began, brides would wear dresses of different colors that were fashionable during that time period.
Historically, weddings dresses were not always white. White wedding dresses for brides used to be less common and were not always associated with purity and virginity. In fact, it was not until the wedding of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert in 1840 that white became the dominant color for wedding dresses.
Before white became the norm, brides would wear dresses in varying colors, depending on their social status, fashion choice, and cultural traditions. For instance, in ancient Rome, wedding dresses were traditionally made from white or yellow-colored wool to represent prosperity and fertility. In medieval Europe, brides wore brightly colored dresses made of expensive fabrics, often with intricate embroidery and beadwork.
In Renaissance Italy, green was considered a popular wedding color, perhaps because it was thought to bring good luck to the bride and groom. In China and other parts of Asia, brides would wear red wedding dresses, which symbolized good luck and happiness. Yellow was also another color that was popular in China, as it represented the fertility of the earth and the harmony between yin and yang.
In many cultures, brides also wore traditional costumes that were often brightly colored and ornately designed. For instance, in India, brides wore brightly colored saris in shades of red, gold, and green. In African and Middle Eastern cultures, brides often wore elaborate henna designs on their hands and feet, and wore colorful veils and headpieces.
Although white wedding dresses have become the cultural norm in many parts of the world, this has not always been the case. Prior to the trend of white wedding dresses, brides wore wedding dresses in a wide range of colors and styles. From bright, ornate wedding dresses in medieval Europe to red wedding dresses in China, the history of wedding dresses is diverse and fascinating.
What color was the dress supposed to be?
In February 2015, a photograph of a dress posted on social media sparked a viral debate over the perceived color of the garment. Some people saw it as black and blue, while others saw it as white and gold. The disagreement was so intense that it quickly became a global phenomenon, with people all over the world discussing the dress’s true colors.
Although it was eventually confirmed that the dress was, in fact, black and blue, this did not stop people from arguing about what they saw. Many psychologists, neuroscientists, and ophthalmologists weighed in on the topic, trying to explain why people were seeing different colors.
One theory suggested that the color of the dress was being perceived differently due to individual differences in color vision. Another theory was that the way in which the photograph was taken, including lighting and camera settings, was causing the dress to appear differently to different people.
In the end, the dress became a fascinating case study for scientists, who used it as an opportunity to learn more about the complexities of human color perception. The phenomenon was dubbed “The Dress” and quickly became a meme, with people creating countless variations of the garment in different colors.
Despite the dress’s enduring fame, however, the mystery behind its true color has been solved. But the controversy it sparked still serves as a reminder of the ways in which our minds can perceive the same thing in very different ways.
Was the wedding dress always white?
For many people, the image of a bride in a white wedding dress is a time-honored tradition. We tend to assume that this is the way things have always been, but this isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, the tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is one that has evolved over time.
Historically, wedding dresses have come in a variety of colors. In the Middle Ages, for example, brides often wore dresses that were richly embroidered, with gold and silver threads. These dresses were often made from sumptuous fabrics like velvet or silk, and they were typically dyed rich shades of red, blue, or green. These colors were popular because they were associated with wealth, and because white was a difficult color to produce given the limited dying techniques that existed at the time.
It wasn’t until the 18th century that white became a popular choice for wedding dresses in Western cultures. This was due, in part, to the influence of Queen Victoria, who wore a white wedding dress for her own wedding in 1840. At the time, Victoria’s choice of white was seen as a symbol of her purity and her status as a virtuous queen. Her example inspired many other brides to choose white for their own wedding dresses.
Still, it would be several decades before white truly became the dominant color for wedding dresses. In the early 1900s, for example, pastel colors like pink and lavender were popular alternatives to white. And during the 1920s and 30s, many brides opted for dresses that were closer to the earthy, muted tones that were in fashion at the time.
Today, the tradition of wearing a white wedding dress continues to be a popular one, though it is no longer the only choice available to brides. Some brides opt for dresses in different shades of white or off-white, while others choose bold, eye-catching colors that reflect their personality and sense of style. And, of course, there are many different cultural traditions around the world that dictate what color a wedding dress should be.
The idea that wedding dresses have always been white is a misconception. The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress is a relatively recent one, and it has evolved and changed over time. While white remains a popular color choice for brides, there is no reason why a bride must wear white on her wedding day if she doesn’t want to. The most important thing is that she feels beautiful, confident, and comfortable in whatever dress she chooses.