A White Wedding

How did it all start?

White or a color similar to white was not the typical attire for a wedding. The truth is that it has only been in the past few centuries that the traditional wedding dress as we know it existed. Brides of earlier ages dressed as well as their financial means and social position would allow. Their choice of dress would have been one that would have been worn for a good or special occasion time and time again. Wearing something as elaborate as a white wedding dress would have been frowned upon as being immodest and impractical.

The white wedding dress tradition started with Queen Victoria. Typically royalty would have worn elaborate gowns made of furs, velvets, and silk sewn with precious gems - diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds and pearls - so the bride would glitter and flash in the sunlight.

Queen Victoria broke this tradition in 1840 with her choice of using white having more influence on the general public than any other. White was usually used by the royal family as the color of mourning and was not considered a suitable choice.

Until the mid-twentieth century, many brides did not wear the 'traditional' style dress that we're all familiar with. Instead they purchased a dress that could be worn later as an evening dress.

So the trend was started and although brides continued to get married in many other colors, white was now set as the color of choice. Pastel shades were also popular.<< Return to Wedding Hints & Tips