Why is the wedding dress white?

On the wedding day, the choice of the dress colour is significant for the bride. To honour tradition, many women continue to wear white. However, the rules have relaxed, and colourful and whimsical wedding dresses are now popular. Despite this, white remains a cherished traditional colour. It's worth noting that the white dress hasn't always been the norm in France or elsewhere; it's actually a relatively recent tradition. In this article, discover why the wedding dress is white.

The White Dress: An Ancient Custom

In ancient times, white dresses were common. In Ancient Egypt, white symbolised many things, including light and joy. It was worn for all sorts of celebrations, from weddings to funerals. During their nuptials, women adorned themselves in flowing white or cream linen tunics. In Ancient Rome, the dress code was more formal: a long white tunic symbolising purity was standard. This tunic was tied with a large knot, representing chastity, which only the groom would untie on the wedding night. However, the colour white would later disappear from wedding ceremonies, only to return much later in history.

Diverse Wedding Dress Colours Up until the 19th Century

During the Middle Ages, most families struggled financially. The wedding dress wasn't typically reserved for just one day. Women owned very few dresses and usually wore their finest, often the Sunday best. White was not a common colour as it was hard to maintain and impractical for everyday work, whether at home or in the fields. Generally, red or black were preferred. Occasionally, women wore traditional regional outfits. In wealthier circles, luxury was displayed with colourful dresses, often adorned with gold and noble materials like ermine fur. The first recorded white wedding dress was worn by Mary Stuart I in 1558 for her marriage to Francis II. However, this bore little resemblance to our contemporary tradition, as her dress reflected her family's colours, the De Guise.

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

Queen Victoria I married Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha in 1840 in Britain. To everyone's surprise, she wore a white dress, going against the norm. She really liked the colour and frequently wore it to various events. A simple yet elegant dress adorned with lace that made a memorable impression. However, it was the Catholic Church that began to imbue the white dress with its symbolism, associating it with purity. In 1858, when Bernadette Soubirous claimed to see the Virgin Mary in the grotto at Lourdes, she noted that The Immaculate Conception was dressed entirely in white. The Church quickly linked this colour to virginity. Consequently, white became more common in wealthy families, though it was more a symbol of affluence than purity. The family demonstrated their status by purchasing a dress worn only once. Thus, the white dress became primarily a sign of bourgeoisie, typically simple, embellished with lace and accompanied by a veil. The rise of department stores in the latter part of the 19th century, along with advancements in design, helped to forge a market and fashion that became entrenched in tradition.

Symbols, Traditions, and Elegance

By the 20th century, wearing a white wedding dress became the norm. For traditional Catholic weddings, white signifies the chastity of the bride before marriage. She vows before her husband and God to commit her life to him, making white an essential element. The church wedding and ceremony naturally mandate this. However, from the 1980s onwards, the white dress isn't always a requirement. Society's views, no longer prioritising virginity as a marriage value, have made the rules more flexible. Still, the tradition of the white dress endures for various reasons.

Honouring Traditions

The wedding dress is something a woman typically wears only once. Aware of the symbolism it carries, women take great care in selecting their attire. In the collective imagination, the dress holds symbolic value. White, traditionally associated with brides, continues to be revered. When the wedding is held in a church and the family follows Catholic traditions, this type of attire remains common. Furthermore, some women like to continue family traditions, wearing white like their mothers and grandmothers as a tribute to them. Ultimately, it depends on the family's history and the bride's personal vision.

The White Dress: A Sign of Elegance

White, as a neutral colour, signifies elegance. It’s easy to wear; the white dress suits every woman and complements all seasons. Bright and easily accessorised, it combines simplicity with elegance, which makes it a popular choice for these reasons. Moreover, the white wedding dress is highly photogenic, making it ideal for capturing beautiful memories of this special day. Nowadays, the choice is often purely aesthetic. If you're searching for a stunning wedding dress, we suggest looking for a bohemian-style dress. The wedding dresses from Boho Via are specially designed 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 virginity symbolism, this is not the significance that has endured in our society. In the past, when the wedding dress wasn't merely intended for the wedding day, white was quite uncommon. It eventually became a symbol of purity through the influence of the Catholic Church, starting as a religious symbol. Over time, wearing a white wedding dress has turned into a more personal choice, free from any external pressure. Women aim to honour either tradition or aesthetics.