Wedding Dress Fashion History From Wikipedia.com

Wedding dress color and styles are mainly based on the popular fashions of the era.

 

Medieval Era
Early weddings performed between the 4th-15th centuries were often more than just a union between two people. They could be a union between two families, two businesses or even two countries. Many weddings were more a matter of politics than love, particularly among the nobility and the higher social classes. Brides were therefore expected to dress in a manner that cast their families in the most favorable light because they were representing more than themselves during the ceremony. Brides of an elevated social standing often wore rich colors and expensive fabrics. It was common to see such brides wearing bold colors and layers of furs, velvet and silk.

 

Victorian Era
White wedding dresses did not become popular until 1840, after the marriage of Queen Victoria to Albert of Saxe-Coburg. Victoria wore a white gown for the event that incorporated some lace she owned. Their official wedding photograph was widely published and many other brides opted for a similar dress in honor of the Queen's choice. Since then, wedding dresses have traditionally been based on Victorian styles.

 

21st Century
Over the centuries, brides continued to dress in a manner befitting their social status - always in the height of fashion, with the richest, boldest materials money could buy. The amount of material a wedding dress contained also was a reflection of the bride's social standing and indicated the extent of the family's wealth to wedding guests.

 

The tradition continues today in the form of a white wedding dress, though prior to the Victorian era a bride was married in any color except black (the color of mourning) or red (which was connected with prostitutes). Later, many people assumed that the color white was intended to symbolize virginity, though this had not been the original intention. (It was the color blue that was connected to purity.) Today, the most traditional and popular choices for wedding dresses are usually white and creamy shades such as eggshell, ecru and ivory. Color, style and ceremonial importance of the wedding gown should depend on the religion, culture, status and personal preference of the bride. A wide variety of gowns are available at Sweet Memories Bridal & Tuxedos in Lawrenceville - www.sweetmemoriesbridal.net.