The Tradition of the Wedding Dress – Colors and Such

By: Fernando Bellingham
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:25:29
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

If you are going to get married, tradition requires certain etiquette. The wedding dress is one such traditional item with different meanings through the world.

In western modern tradition, the color of western-culture wedding dresses is white. Used in this sense, 'white' or 'wedding white' includes creamy shades such as eggshell, ecru and ivory. The popularity of this color can be traced back to 1840 and the marriage of Queen Victoria. The Queen chose to wear a white gown for the event. The official wedding portrait photograph was widely published and many brides opted for a similar dress in honor of that choice.

The tradition continues today. 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). The white dress came to symbolize purity of heart and the innocence of childhood. Later attribution suggested that the color white symbolized virginity which is false. However, it was originally the color that was connected to purity.

Many wedding dresses in China are colored red, the traditional color of good luck. In modern Chinese weddings, particularly in Western countries, the bride usually opts for the white Western dress or changes from a red gown to a white gown later in the day. In other eastern countries, such as Laos, it is customary for the bride to change apparel up to fifteen times within the night, each dress being a different color. Regardless, if you see a Chinese wedding in which the bride is wearing red, it does not mean she is a prostitute!

In northern parts of India the traditional color of women's wedding garments is red. It is considered a color symbolizing auspiciousness. Nowadays many women opt not to wear red, and choose other colors. South Indian weddings traditionally use white or cream colored saris. Indian brides in Western countries often wear the sari at the wedding ceremony and change into traditional Indian wear afterwards (like leghna, choli, et cetera).

Now, there are approximately 2.4 million weddings performed each year. The average wedding costs about thirty thousand dollars. The average wedding dress will cost between one and three thousand dollars. However, prices for the wedding dress range from a few hundred dollars to practically as much as you can spend. There should be at least one bridal store in your area, and within each one will be knowledgeable employees that will be able to find the dress that is not only right for you, but in your price range, whatever that may be.

Fernando Bellingham is with Wedding Yeti - your free wedding resource.

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Marriage category

  • The Effects Of Divorce On Children Part 2 - By: Paul Friedman
    My personal view is that we must change divorce courts considerably. Presently the first step in the system is for one parent to file an "order to show cause," a lawsuit against the other parent. This step should be made unnecessary except for rare and extreme situations. But everyone is afraid of being taken advantage of
  • The Effects Of Divorce On Children Part 1 - By: Paul Friedman
    There are very few tragedies that impact a child more than the splitting of his or her parents. The foundation for a child is their parents; both of them.
  • Relationship Advice for Newlyweds Part Two & Relationship Advice for Marriage Counselors - By: Paul Friedman
    Forget those people who tell you how your love and passion will take a back seat to the so called realities of life. What do they know! Just because "everybody" says the same thing doesn't make it true either. Remember not too long ago "everyone" believed if you sailed too far west you would fall off the edge of the world. Ignorance is ignorance no matter where it comes from. You have the ability to have increased love in your marriage and it ain't hard!
  • Marriage Compatibility Test for Daters - By: Paul Friedman
    Some people even go to psychics or palm readers to get info from "the other side" or wherever it comes from. Compatibility is very important. So I have come up with the ultimate test for marriage compatibility.
  • Marriage Help for Men & Signs Of a Healthy Relationship - By: Paul Friedman
    During my live practice as a mediator, I focused on bringing marriages back together instead of helping people get a divorce. Approximately 50% of the calls I received were from men. Interestingly, men seemed to be more desperate..
  • Marriage Advice For New Parents 2 & The Marine Core Divorce Rate Is Up - By: Paul Friedman
    The reason why some couples have a difficult time when they first have children is because what they know and don't know about being married is being tested. If you go out on a sailboat on a beautiful day when the winds are just right and the water is flat, you won't have any problems...
  • Marriage Problems & Marriage Compatibility Test - By: Paul Friedman
    It is very interesting how people think if they solve their marriage problems everything will be OK. You see, marriage problems aren't the problem with problem marriages. Marriage problems are the stink that comes from those things that don't belong in your marriage...
  • Marriage Compatibility Test - By: Paul Friedman
    Brace yourself. I'm about to yell at you! Why do you want to take a marriage compatibility test? Don't you have enough problems without looking for areas of incompatibility?...
  • Marriage Problems are Not What They Seem & Questions To Ask Before Ending A Relationship - By: Paul Friedman
    Fear is one of the greatest killers of happiness. If we allow an idea or negative feeling to take hold in our mind it can grow far beyond the actual threat. Fear can turn an ordinary man across the street into a killer just waiting for his opportunity to ambush you. Watching TV stimulates the imagination into negative streams of thought...
  • Relationship Advice for Those Who Are Breaking Up - Have a Happy Marriage Instead - By: Paul Friedman
    Happy marriage is not an oxymoron. It is a reality for those who understand how it is constructed and what all those little knobs are for.