Why Is the Wedding Dress White?

On the wedding day, choosing the colour of the dress is significant for the bride. To honour tradition, many women still opt for white. However, the rules have relaxed, and colourful and fancy wedding dresses have emerged. Nonetheless, white remains a highly cherished traditional colour. Interestingly, the white dress was not always the norm in France, or elsewhere for that matter. It is ultimately a relatively recent tradition. In this article, discover why wedding dresses are white.

The White Dress: An Ancient Custom

In ancient times, white dresses were common. In Ancient Egypt, white held many symbols. It represents light and joy and was worn for all celebrations, including weddings and mourning. During their weddings, women adorned themselves in long white or off-white linen tunics. In Ancient Rome, the outfit was codified: it consisted of a long white tunic symbolising purity. It was secured by a large knot representing chastity, which only the groom would untie on the wedding night. However, white would later vanish from ceremonies and only return much later in history.

Colourful Wedding Dresses Until the 19th Century

During the Middle Ages, most families were poor. The wedding dress was not reserved solely for that day. Women had very few dresses. They wore their best outfit, often their Sunday best. White was not a common colour. In fact, it is difficult to maintain and keep pristine. It is also impractical for women's work at home or in the fields. Generally, red or black was the norm. Sometimes, traditional regional costumes were worn. In wealthier circles, luxury was displayed with more colourful dresses, often featuring gold accents and noble materials like ermine fur. The first white wedding dress in history was worn by Mary Stuart I in 1558 for her marriage to François II. However, that has no connection to the current tradition. The bride’s gown reflected the colour associated with her family, the De Guise.

The Tradition of the White Dress Establishes Itself in the 19th Century

Queen Victoria I married Albert of Saxe-Cobourg-Gotha in 1840 in Great Britain. On this occasion, and to everyone’s surprise, she wore a white dress, which was quite unconventional. She greatly admired this colour and frequently wore it to various events. An elegant gown, enhanced with lace, that made a striking impression. However, it was the Catholic Church that attributed symbolism to the white dress, associating it with purity. In 1858, when Bernadette Soubirous claimed to see the Virgin Mary in the grotto at Lourdes, she described the Immaculate Conception as being dressed entirely in white. The Church immediately linked this colour to virginity. White then became more prevalent among affluent families, but it was more a symbol of wealth than of purity. The family demonstrated its effort by purchasing a gown that would only be worn once. Thus, the white dress primarily became a sign of bourgeoisie, characterised by simplicity, adorned with lace, and accompanied by a veil. The rise of department stores in the latter half of the 19th century, alongside design advancements, created a market and fashion that became entrenched in tradition.

Symbols, Traditions, and Elegance

Throughout the 20th century, wearing a white wedding dress became the norm. For traditional Catholic weddings, white became the symbol of the wife’s chastity before marriage. She then commits to offering her life to her husband in the presence of God. White thus became essential. Church weddings and ceremonies naturally imposed this. However, the white dress is no longer always required, especially since the 1980s. Societal changes have lessened the emphasis on virginity as a value of marriage. Nonetheless, the tradition of the white dress endures for various reasons.

Honouring Traditions

The wedding dress is an outfit worn only once. Aware of the symbol it conveys, women take special care in selecting their attire. In the collective imagination, the dress holds symbolic value. White, traditionally regarded as the colour associated with brides, remains favoured. When the wedding occurs in a church and the family has a Catholic tradition, this type of attire is still common. Additionally, some women enjoy connecting with family tradition; when their mothers and grandmothers wore white for their weddings, it becomes a tribute to them. It all depends on the family's history and the bride's vision.

The White Dress as a Sign of Elegance

White, a neutral colour, signifies elegance. Very easy to wear, the white dress flatters all women and suits every season. Bright, easy to accessorize, and a mark of simplicity and elegance, it is still appreciated for these reasons. Furthermore, the white wedding dress is extremely photogenic, making it an excellent choice for preserving beautiful memories of that special day. Nowadays, this is often a purely aesthetic choice. If you’re looking for a stunning wedding dress, we recommend opting for a special bohemian gown. The wedding dresses from Boho Via are designed especially for this extraordinary day.

Chic wedding dresses from Boho Via

The white wedding dress is thus a relatively recent tradition. While its origins date back to ancient times, along with its virgin symbolism, this is not what has persisted in our society. In the past, when the wedding dress was not only meant for the wedding day, white was uncommon. It ultimately became a symbol of purity driven by the Catholic Church and initially began as a religious symbol. Over time, wearing a white wedding dress evolved into a more personal choice rather than one dictated by others. Women then want to honour tradition or aesthetics.