Photographer - Emma Hampton - www.emmahamptonphotography.com.au

When you think of a bride, what’s one of the first things that comes to mind? Probably that iconic white wedding dress, right? It’s become the ultimate symbol of weddings, but have you ever stopped to wonder why? How did white become the colour for bridal gowns, and has it always been that way? Let’s take a stroll down the aisle of history to uncover the origins, myths, and some fun facts about why brides wear white!

The Origin of the White Wedding Dress: It All Starts with Queen Victoria

Many people think brides have always worn white on their wedding day, but that’s not true at all. In fact, before the 19th century, brides often wore their best dress, regardless of its colour. Red, blue, gold – you name it. White wasn’t even on the radar for wedding fashion!

Then came Queen Victoria, the royal trendsetter. On 10th February 1840, Queen Victoria married Prince Albert, and she walked down the aisle in a white silk satin gown with delicate Honiton lace. This was a pretty bold choice at the time. You see, white was traditionally associated with mourning, and many would’ve expected her to wear red or gold, which were the typical choices for royal brides. But Queen Victoria, ever the rebel, opted for white to show off the intricate lace she adored.

Her decision to wear white wasn’t necessarily about purity, as many believe today. In fact, it was more about showcasing her wealth and fashion-forward thinking. After all, white was a tricky colour to keep clean and was considered impractical for anyone who couldn’t afford frequent laundering or only wear something once!

Despite this, Queen Victoria’s white gown caused a stir and quickly became the gold (or should we say, white?) standard for brides across Europe and beyond. The image of her wedding day was published far and wide, and soon, brides everywhere began to embrace the trend.

Photographer - Stephanie/Kin Tide - www.kintide.org

Some Fun Myths About White Wedding Dresses

The white wedding dress is steeped in tradition, but like anything historical, it’s also surrounded by a few myths and misconceptions. Here are a couple of the more interesting ones:

White equals purity? Not always! While white is often thought to symbolise purity, it didn’t always have this meaning in wedding contexts. As we mentioned earlier, Queen Victoria’s choice was more about highlighting the lace and her status than any notion of purity. In fact, some historians argue that the link between white and purity is more of a modern marketing myth than a longstanding tradition.
White to keep away evil spirits? This one’s a bit of a stretch, but some older European beliefs held that wearing white could confuse or ward off evil spirits who might try to curse or interfere with a wedding. (No wonder brides wear veils too – double protection!)

The Influence of Hollywood and Pop Culture

Fast forward to the 20th century, and white wedding dresses were becoming the norm, thanks in part to Hollywood. Films featuring glamorous, white-gowned brides cemented the idea that white was the ideal colour for weddings. Think of the classic 1950 film Father of the Bride, starring Elizabeth Taylor, or Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn, both showcasing stunning white gowns that made brides everywhere swoon.

As time went on, designers began to experiment with different styles and cuts, but the colour white remained the standard. Today, wedding dresses come in various shades of white – from ivory to eggshell – offering a range of choices for modern brides.

Modern Takes: Not Every Bride Wears White!

While the tradition of white wedding dresses is still incredibly popular, more and more brides are opting to shake things up and wear whatever makes them feel special. From blush pinks to bold reds and even chic black gowns, the modern bride has endless options. For some, it’s a chance to honour cultural traditions, while others simply want to express their personality on their big day.

Interesting Facts About White Wedding Dresses

Let’s leave you with some fun and fascinating tidbits:

The Longest Wedding Dress Train: The longest wedding dress train ever recorded is a whopping 8,095 metres long! That’s nearly five miles! It was worn by a bride in France in 2017 and took hundreds of volunteers to carry it.
The Most Expensive Wedding Dress: The world’s most expensive wedding dress, known as the “Diamond Wedding Gown,” was created by designers Renee Strauss and Martin Katz. It’s valued at $12 million and is adorned with 150 carats of diamonds!
Changing Colour Trends: In the early 20th century, white was so closely associated with weddings that during the Great Depression, many brides opted for darker colours—like navy and black—as they could be re-worn more easily for other occasions.
Royal Influence Continues: Even today, royal weddings continue to influence bridal trends. When Kate Middleton married Prince William in 2011, her elegant lace gown sparked a massive resurgence in lace wedding dresses worldwide.
Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue: The tradition of "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" started in the Victorian era. Each item is meant to bring good luck to the bride. The “something blue” symbolises purity, love, and fidelity. In ancient Rome, brides often wore blue to symbolise their modesty and devotion.
The Origins of the Veil: The wedding veil dates back to ancient times when brides would wear it to protect themselves from evil spirits or to symbolize their modesty and innocence. It was also used in arranged marriages to obscure the bride’s face until the groom saw her at the altar!

Photographer - Heidi Morris/Lens Of Rosie - www.lensofrosie.com.au

Final Thoughts

So, why do brides wear white? It all goes back to Queen Victoria’s bold choice to break with tradition and start her own trend. Over the years, the meaning behind the white wedding dress has shifted, but it’s still a timeless and classic option for many brides today.

Whether you’re dreaming of a traditional white gown or something a little more unconventional, the most important thing is to wear what makes you feel amazing on your special day. After all, it’s your wedding and that’s a tradition worth celebrating!

The History of Brides Wearing White Dresses: Myths, Facts, and Fun Tidbits