The photographers at Atlanta Artistic Wedding Photography have witnessed many wedding trends evolve over the years. Different regions of the world have distinct trends and ceremonial meanings regarding the dresses that brides wear. Many trends regarding wedding dresses here in America are often the same traditions followed throughout the Western world. These Western trends have a rich history that dates back to immediately after the Middle Ages and I have loved learning more about this history.

During the Middle Ages in Western civilization, weddings, especially among nobles, were more of a political matter meant to consolidate a family’s power or a country’s resources. This meant brides had to wear a dress made of the nicest fabrics and jewelry their family money could buy in order to make themselves pleasing to their grooms family. This meant the brides dress was often a reflection of her social standing, with the most exquisite gowns containing bold colors and velvet or silk fabric.

The color of Western wedding dresses has gone through a huge evolution over time. Prior to the Victorian era, brides wore all different colors on their wedding day and the symbolism of those colors were vastly different. For instance, black was an especially popular wedding dress color in Scandinavia, while white was considered a color of mourning in France. While white was not a popular color for brides to wear, there are instances of brides, mainly of noble birth, occasionally choosing to wear white. Princess Philippa of England is the first documented instance of a bride wearing white, and Mary, Queen of Scots, chose to wear a white wedding dress because white was her favorite color. However, it wasn’t until Queen Victoria wore white during her wedding ceremony that brides saw illustrations of the lavish gown and started following the queens example. Many wedding dresses today are some shade of white, including eggshell, ecru, and ivory. Many Western brides choose white for their dress because of it is thought to represent purity. However, it is the color blue that was originally intended to symbolize purity, piety, faithfulness, and the Virgin Mary.

Over the years, wedding dresses in America have developed into many shapes and styles. In modern times, 75% of wedding dresses in the Western world are sleeveless or strapless, though brides do have options if they want to be more modest, such as lace sleeves, high necklines and zipped backs. American brides who don’t want a traditional floor-length gown can choose a tea-length gown that goes to their calf, or even a mini, which stops at the center of the thigh, though this style is not as popular. There are also a lot of choices when it comes to the shape of the gown. Brides can choose a very fitted style called a “mermaid” style dress, which is fitted and then flares at the hem around the ankle. They can also go the opposite route and choose a ballgown dress, which has a bodice, cinched waist, and full skirt from the waist to the floor. There are also many styles in between, including the empire style where the dresses waist is set above the natural waistline, an A-line style, where the skirt is narrow at the top and flares wider towards the bottom in an “A” shape, and a tea-length style, which, as mentioned before, is a cocktail style dress that stops at the knee or calf.

The wedding dresses American brides wear have deep roots in Western traditions. Western brides have many different options when it comes to color, style and shape of the dresses they wear, which lets each bride choose a dress that suits her personal style for the big day. I for one love learning the history behind these Western trends, and trends from all cultures. It has been such a cool experience seeing how these trends in dresses evolve and how wedding attire not only showcases a bride’s personality, but also represents a persons culture.

Thanks again,

David

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