It is often taken for granted in contemporary times that the “acceptable” color for a wedding dress is white. This tradition is typically attributed to the symbolism of innocence, purity and new beginnings. In truth, it is more fashion than mythology that has granted the wedding gown with this particular “pristine” characteristic.

The white wedding dress, while not unheard of in other cultures, is most commonly attributed to Western society. It was Queen Victoria’s royal wedding to Prince Albert in 1840 that established white as the standard color for a wedding gown, but this was not always the preferred fashion. Prior to that famous wedding, blue was often chosen for a bride’s gown, as it was considered reminiscent of the Virgin Mary and symbolic of purity and holiness.

Modern ages have seen a return to more Victorian styles in regards to the design of wedding dresses – elaborate, feminine and often voluminous gowns have become traditional, although this is a relatively recent adaptation. Historically, the style of a wedding dress of influenced by a number of factors, including the wealth and station of the bride, the political and social climate of the age and the fashion and styles of the time. It was not uncommon in ancient times for a bride to marry in bright colors, with the level of detail and decoration reflective of the bride’s family’s social status. This was due in large part to the fact that weddings during medieval ages were often a matter of business and politics as often as the joining of two hearts.

On a similar note, fashion trends and styles have often played a large part in the design of a dress. Brides in the “Old West” would frequently get married in dresses that were simple and sturdy and could be dyed to be worn on a regular basis after the ceremony. The 1920s brought about a new trend in the form of the first short wedding dresses – mirroring the flapper fashions of the decade. Bridal fashion has also been adaptive during times of hardship and war. For instance, wedding dresses during the Great Depression and during the rationing practices of WWII were often substituted for simple Sunday dresses or a bride’s best suit. It was only during the age of prosperity that followed the Second World War that wedding gowns started to become what we expect to see today.

In the past quarter-century it has become increasingly common for a wedding gown to reflect a bride’s personal tastes and preferences versus traditional conventions. Variation of styles and colors is widespread and often unconventional. There remain, however, certain practices that will be difficult to quash. In the Western world, a white dress is still the most commonly accepted, as bright, bold colors are often considered to be in bad taste (black is even thought to be bad luck). Intricate decoration and an expansive skirt or train is still considered indicative of wealth and social status. Viewing history through the evolution of the wedding dress offers an interesting perspective of the views and traditions associated with marriage and propriety.

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Category: Marriage
Keywords: marriage, wedding, bride, wedding dresses, weddings, history