About Wedding Dresses

Throughout history, brides have worn gowns that reflected the fashion of the times. Medieval European brides wore rich, lavish jewel tones. Brides in the Elizabethan era wore muted tones of sage, rose and gold. Although we think of white as the ideal wedding dress color, the concept of a "white wedding" is quite modern. A white gown was not a practical choice for many brides. Even among the wealthy it was considered extravagant to buy a gown to be worn only once. Until the early 20th century, brides usually chose a colored gown that could be worn for other occasions. Some even chose a black dress, because funerals were common in the 1900s, and a woman would wear her best dress to the funeral.

Old-World Brides

The concept of wearing a bridal veil predates the wedding dress itself. In ancient Greece, brides wore a bright yellow veil, while Roman brides wore a scarlet red veil that was also used as their burial shroud. Many ancient tribes wrapped the bride from head to toe, to symbolize the modest and untouched maiden and to protect her from prying eyes and evil spirits.

New-World Brides

New arrivals to America in the 17th and 18th centuries were most likely married in their native country first. Young women who made the ocean crossing to start a new life in America would have brought pieces of fine fabric with them to make a wedding gown, when it was time. In a society preoccupied with its own survival, a colonial American wedding would have been a simple affair.

Queen Victoria

When she wed her true love in 1840, the young Queen Victoria chose a delicate white silk gown. Previous royal weddings had featured lavish furs and jewel-encrusted robes. Although some brides had worn white before her, the popularity of Queen Victoria's wedding sparked many imitators. Still, white remained an impractical choice for all but the very wealthy. Colored wedding gowns persisted through the 1920s, when white was officially adopted as the wedding color of choice.

The Roaring Twenties

In most eras, wedding gowns were typically floor length, with the exception of the Roaring Twenties. As the hemline crept up above the knee, a curious wedding dress style developed that has never been repeated. The wedding dress hemline was anywhere between the knee and mid-calf length, but the veil was very long.

Wartime Brides

During World War II, it was common for couples to get married quickly before the groom was sent to war. Women often opted for a smart suit rather than a fancy wedding gown. The groom, of course, wore his dress uniform.

Other Customs

Modern Indian brides usually wear red saris decorated in lavish gold embroidery. Chinese brides also wear red, which is symbolic of joy and love. In Chinese culture, white is a symbol of hope and is often worn at funerals.