Why Does A Bride Wear White On Her Wedding Day?
White is still the common color for brides today, although more and more women are choosing to wear other colors. But do you know the origins of why a bride wears white on her wedding day? We explain these and other wedding traditions below.
Why does a bride wear white on her wedding day?
While it’s easy to assume that brides have always traditionally worn white, this isn’t entirely true. It was not until the 20th century that white became the predominant color for wedding dresses, although it seems to be a long tradition.
In the Middle Ages, brides used dresses of different colors to enjoy this day. The infante Teresa of Spain even wore a black dress on her wedding day to Luis XIV of France in 1660.
It was not until the 1800s that brides began to dress in white. This was the color of the wedding dress of the Queen of England in 1840. Queen Victoria’s wedding was one of the most spectacular weddings in England’s history and was celebrated in the newspapers all over.
Paintings showed the bride dressed in white. Queen Victoria even later posed in her wedding dress for a reenactment when photography became available.
After seeing Queen Victoria’s radiant dress, all women wanted the same fairytale wedding and white became the new standard for wedding dresses.
Until the 20th century, white was only used by the wealthy and powerful families of the time. Later, the color white began to settle among other groups of the population. It became the official bridal color as it was slowly adopted by all social classes.
The meaning – why does a bride wear white on her wedding day
The meaning of the color white has remained the same despite the passing of the years. When brides dress in white, they want to express purity, innocence and candor.
While the importance and predominance of the color white has not changed, some brides use different shades of white that were not common before.
Off-white and ivory are varieties that are widely used today. In this way, the range of options is even greater when you are going to choose a dress for your wedding day.
Other traditions on the wedding day
Besides white on her wedding day, also something new
Wearing something new symbolizes the changes and new experiences they will have with this great step called marriage. It could be something simple because most of what the bride wears on her wedding day is new.
Indeed, the wedding dress that the bride wears is usually something new itself. The dress can serve as the ‘something new’ and easily adheres to this tradition.
something old
Just as wearing something new symbolizes the future, wearing something old symbolizes the past. Brides wear something old to show the continuity of family ties and friendships despite marriage. The objects often used to follow this tradition are usually a family heirloom or your mother’s or grandmother’s veil.
Today, many brides break with this cliché about leaving friends and family behind by showing that they are still themselves. You can use everyday objects to indicate this, such as your perfume or the lipstick you use most.
borrowed something
Using something you borrowed on your wedding day means that the person who lent it to you is sharing in the happiness of the moment. Normally, the person who lends you this object is already married. She wants to convey happiness and wisdom to you by lending you this object.
something blue
Wearing something blue doesn’t break the tradition of brides wearing white. Rather, it is a different tradition in itself. This color symbolizes love and fidelity with your partner.
You have the option of using the color in a discreet accessory, such as the garter, or else in something that attracts more attention, such as your shoes.
