Why Is the Wedding Dress White?

On the wedding day, the choice of the dress colour is critical for the bride. While some women still opt for white to honour tradition, the rules have become more relaxed, allowing for colourful and creative wedding gowns to emerge. Nonetheless, white remains a highly cherished traditional colour. Interestingly, the white gown hasn't always been the norm in France or elsewhere; it's actually a relatively recent tradition. In this article, find out why wedding dresses are predominantly white.

White Dresses in Ancient Times

In ancient times, white dresses were quite common. In Ancient Egypt, white held several symbolic meanings, representing light and joy. Women wore long white or cream linen tunics for celebrations, both for weddings and mourning. In Ancient Rome, the attire was standardized: a long white tunic symbolizing purity was worn, secured with a large knot representing chastity, which the groom would untie on the wedding night. However, the use of white eventually diminished in ceremonies and did not resurface until much later in history.

Colourful Wedding Gowns Until the 19th Century

During the Middle Ages, most families were poor, and the wedding dress wasn’t something worn only on that one special day. Women had very few outfits; they wore their best dress, often their Sunday best. The colour white was not very common since it was hard to maintain and not practical for everyday work at home or in the fields. Usually, red or black were more popular. Sometimes, regional traditional attire was worn. Among the wealthy, luxury was displayed with brightly coloured dresses, adorned with touches of gold and noble fabrics, such as ermine fur. The first white wedding dress in history was worn by Mary Stuart I in 1558 during her marriage to Francis II, but that had no connection to the current tradition. The bride's gown reflected her family’s colour, the De Guise.

The Tradition of the White Dress Established in the 19th Century

Queen Victoria I married Albert of Saxe-Cobourg-Gotha in 1840 in Britain. To everyone's surprise, she wore a white dress, which was quite unconventional. She loved this colour and wore it frequently at various events. A simple yet elegant dress enhanced with lace made a lasting impression. However, it was the Catholic Church that attributed symbolism to the white gown, associating it with purity. In 1858, when Bernadette Soubirous claimed to see the Virgin Mary in the grotto of Lourdes, she stated that the Immaculate Conception was clothed entirely in white. The Church promptly linked the colour to virginity, leading to its more frequent adoption among wealthy families. This was more a symbol of wealth than purity—families showcased their affluence by purchasing a gown that would be worn only once. Therefore, the white dress predominantly became a sign of the bourgeoisie. It aimed to be relatively simple, adorned with lace and accompanied by a veil. The rise of department stores in the latter half of the 19th century and advancements in design created a market and fashion, firmly rooted 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 bride's chastity before the marriage. She vows her life to her husband and God, making white an essential colour. Church weddings naturally imposed this. However, by the 1980s, white gowns were no longer the only option. As society evolved, the value of virginity in marriage weakened, prompting a relaxation of these rules. Yet, the tradition of the white dress persists for various reasons.

Honouring Traditions

The wedding dress is typically worn just once. Aware of the symbolic meaning behind it, women take extra care in selecting their outfit. Within the collective imagination, the dress carries significant symbolic value. White, traditionally seen as the bride's colour, continues to be highly valued. When the wedding is held in a church and the family has a Catholic tradition, this attire remains common. Additionally, some women enjoy adhering to family traditions, choosing white as a nod to their mothers and grandmothers who married in the same colour, a tribute to them. Ultimately, it depends on the family's history and the bride's vision.

The White Dress: A Sign of Elegance

White, as a neutral colour, signifies elegance. Very easy to wear, the white dress suits all women and complements all seasons. Bright, simple to accessorise, and a hallmark of sophistication, it remains popular for these reasons. Furthermore, the white wedding dress is incredibly photogenic, making it a superb ally for beautifully preserving memories of this special day. Today, the choice is often purely aesthetic. If you're looking for a stunning wedding dress, we recommend checking out a special bohemian gown. The wedding dresses from Boho Via are specifically designed for this exceptional day.

Chic wedding dresses from Boho Via

The white wedding dress is thus a relatively recent tradition. While its origins go back to ancient times, along with its virginal meaning, this is not the version that has endured in our society. In the past, when the wedding dress was not solely for the day of the wedding, white was uncommon. It ultimately became a symbol of purity through the influence of the Catholic Church and initially started as a religious symbol. Over time, wearing a white wedding dress became more of a personal choice rather than a dictated one. Women choose to follow a tradition or an aesthetic.