Why do brides wear white?

In earlier centuries, brides donned a wide range of colors, with red being among the more favored choices. At one time, white was actually seen as a color associated with mourning. The earliest documented instance of a white wedding dress dates back to 1406, when Princess Philippa of England wed Prince Eric of Pomerania. She eventually became the Queen of Denmark. Wedding gowns were owned by the nobility and aristocracy and were adorned with ermine, jewels, and other luxurious items, serving as displays of their wealth and political clout. Weddings were occasions to exhibit one's wealth, power, and status! Before Queen Victoria (who will soon play a crucial role), the prevailing mindset was encapsulated by the phrase, “If you got it, flaunt it!”

In 1840, Queen Victoria, deeply in love with Prince Albert, surprised the world by stepping out of her carriage in a white wedding gown. The gown symbolized that, despite being the Queen of England and having worn elaborate royal attire at her coronation, she approached her wedding not as a monarch but as a woman deeply in love with her fiancé. She was marrying him as a woman, not as the Queen.

From that moment, the idea of a White Wedding Gown gained popularity in the western world and has become the standard today. The White Wedding Dress owes its origins to Queen Victoria's marriage to Prince Albert - who would have thought!

Brides who have been married before are often advised against wearing white, being told they should opt for off-white or a different color. Traditionally, white symbolizes virginity and purity, and it was believed that a previously married woman couldn't represent these ideals. However, this notion is now outdated. The decision regarding the color of the wedding dress is entirely the bride's choice. For numerous brides, wearing white also signifies a fresh start. So – Go for it, Girl!