The fact is, not every wedding gowns need to be white. While many wedding traditions came down to us through hundreds of years of legends and beliefs, the white wedding gown is quite a current tradition popularized by Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840.

Medieval Europe

As the Medieval period rolled in, the character of marriage agreements remained pretty much the same, the ones got married for business interests and politics instead of for love. Upper-class medieval brides wore bold colors in fur, velvet, and silk, whereas the ones from lower-status typically wore their finest dress.

Blue would be a popular color during this period because it embodied the virtue, parity, and faithfulness of the Virgin Mary, whose cult was spreading across medieval Europe. However, wedding gown colors may also include red, yellow, or green in a variety of patterns, while white and black attire was for mourning.

The Renaissance

Weddings within the Renaissance Era highlighted overt displays of wealth through the aristocracy with lavish festivities and elaborate and colorful wedding gowns. The lower classes copied the fashion with cheaper fabrics. The wedding dresses were long and layered using the fifteenth-century upper-class women often wearing as much as three layers within the main dress.

The sixteenth-century dresses maintained the same structure having a tight corset upper and layers of material making up the ball gown wedding dress, which extended downwards right into a train. Red-colored textiles satin, Coudray, and velvet were favored within this era because red was related to wealth, while pearls signified chastity.

However, nearly all women could not afford another dress for his or their big day, and the wedding gown was often their finest dress, typically made from flax, cotton, or wool. The women also avoided wearing white clothes simply because they were hard to clean and, therefore, improper.

Why Do Brides Wear White?

Although Queen Victoria's unique wedding dress firmly established the white bridal gown, additionally, it set a fashion trend where brides gradually moved in the evening gown style dress with open necklines and short sleeves to high-necked long-sleeved gowns.

The industrial revolution also brought on the cost of fabrics which enabled a lot of women to afford a specially made dress for their big day. However, many dresses remained of different colors with elaborate patterns, while white was for that well-to-do who can afford to clean their dresses.

The Victorian Era dresses were off-white when compared with the true white wedding dresses of the early last century. Mass production and fashion styles that required less fabric enabled many American and European brides to pay for white dresses for their big day. However, throughout the Depression Period, brides went back to wearing their non-white dresses at their weddings before the post-war decades when white became fashionable again. Also, a booming business in wedding gowns emerged at the moment.

Which Is the Best Color for any Wedding Dress?

In the past few years, the gown styles have varied with influences from historical designs. The 1980s make the perfect example where ball gown dresses with short puffy sleeves, lace, and tulle were popular and reminiscent of the renaissance styles.

However, as traditions evolve to incorporate non-western cultures, brides have grown to be bolder and much more experimental with expressing their tastes. Modern bridal gown colors include white and off-white, soft hues like peach, pink, and pale blue, solid dark colors, and patterns.

Whites and Off-whites

The Post-War Era ushered inside a time of prosperity in which the formal white wedding gown became the standard. Although most dresses before this had shades of cream, the pure white color became more prevalent. In modern times, most white dresses are ivory colored, which provides them a warmer effect. However, if you're sticking with tradition, the best wedding gown color should compliment the skin tone.

Pure white dresses could be a little stark on pale skin but striking on dark skin. On another hand, ivory and cream-colored gowns look fabulous on the wide range of skin colors, which has made them more popular with brides than true white. Alternative off-white colors include beige, which has gold undertones, and blush, which has pinkish hues.

Red Dresses

Red wedding gowns are a tradition in Asian cultures but have different symbolic meanings. The Zhou Dynasty of ancient China had black wedding gowns with red trim. However, through the Han Period, the traditions had become more enjoyable, and also the brides could wear different colors based on the seasons where red was for summer. Red in Chinese culture symbolizes fortune, luck, and happiness, during Hindu and Sikh weddings, it represents fertility and prosperity.

Red is a bold color, as well as in western culture, it is the color of passionate love, power, and courage. It is a color for open-minded and adventurous brides and goes well with light skin color. On another hand, this red and white gown is fantastic for brides who wish to go out a little while still retaining the standard white elements from the wedding.

Blue Dresses

Blue might not be the go-to color for wedding gowns because we perceive it as being a depressing tone. However, blue was the symbol of purity before brides started wearing white dresses. It is also a calm color related to loyalty, integrity, and peace. Light and pale blue dresses are a great choice for beach weddings simply because they reflect the color of the sea and sky. A great example is a pale blue dress that blends within the sand and ocean, although this dark blue gown is fantastic for any gothic-themed wedding.

Purple Dresses

Purple is a fashionable and unique color for a wedding gown, but it is a trendy color and it is available in a variety of shades and designs. Deep purples for example this purple organza dress are royal and stylish, while lighter shades like lavender and lilac symbolize young beauty and class. This purple ball gown is a perfect example of a fairy tale wedding gown, although this lilac organza dress is graceful and feminine. If your wedding is a gothic, rustic, or bohemian wedding, this tattered wedding dress may be a wise decision.

Green Wedding Dresses

The Tang Dynasty from the seventh century period had Chinese brides wearing green wedding gowns. Green is a versatile color that goes well with any complexion and any wedding theme. It symbolizes renewal, freshness, and endurance, also it comes inside a variety of shades and designs.

Black Wedding Dresses

Finally, black is one of the most unusual colors for any wedding. In the early 1800s, it had been common for ladies to wear black along with other dark-colored wedding gowns because they hid dirt a lot better than light colors. However, black wedding gowns are a big trend in modern contemporary weddings and are related to elegance, power, and sophistication.

Article produced at: https://www.feel times.co.uk/