the blog
October 19, 2025
The Wedding Dress
When I think of a wedding dress, my thoughts go to the white gown, lacy and beaded with a flowing veil. Of course, the look of a bridal dress is unlimited, and based on culture, budget and personal taste.
The traditional white lacy gown of Western culture goes back to Queen Victoria of England when she married her life’s love Prince Albert. The Queen wanted a dress of purest white, symbolizing love and purity, and adorned with the finest lace that required the most delicate hand to create. The color and fragility of this gown made it such that it could not be washed and so began the tradition of wearing the wedding gown only once.
The traditional white lacy gown of Western culture goes back to Queen Victoria of England when she married her life’s love Prince Albert. The Queen wanted a dress of purest white, symbolizing love and purity, and adorned with the finest lace that required the most delicate hand to create. The color and fragility of this gown made it such that it could not be washed and so began the tradition of wearing the wedding gown only once.
In past centuries, however, extravagant wedding dresses were only worn by people of the more affluent parts of society and were an opportunity to show off the wealth of the family. Most brides however, washed and pressed their best dress for their wedding day. Today, most people tend to wear a dress purchased especially for their wedding. And the famous and wealthy spare no expense to display their affluence with the most luxurious bridal gown, to amaze the world as they walk down the aisle.
The wedding attire of other cultures varies widely in color and style. In India the bride’s dress is usually a reddish or cream-colored sari made of silk and beautifully embroidered in gold thread.Depending on the country in Africa, the bride might wear a dress made of colorfully woven fabric (called kente), or richly colored satins with large flounces, ruffles and just about anything in between. In China, wedding dresses are typically red and made of silk, as the color symbolizes happiness, good fortune and luck. Persian dresses have a fitted cropped top combined with a lavish skirt, while in Peru the bride might wear an elaborately embroidered outfit.
Whether the bride is wearing a flowing gown, complete with veil, gloves and jeweled slippers or a fuchsia suit with sneakers, the universally most important criteria for wedding attire is that it must make the bride feel beautiful. It will showcase her personality and bring her confidence and joy as she ties her life to that of her partner.
How to Choose your Dress
- Does it make you feel beautiful?
- Can you afford it?
- Is it comfortable? Can you walk, sit, dance in it?
- Does it suit the weather for the location and season of your wedding?
- Do you love it?
Where to Find your Wedding Dress
- Bridal shops
- Antique shops
- Thrift shops
- Mother’s/grandmother’s attic
- Fabric shop (sew your own!)
- Online (check out Etsy for something uniquely you!)
“YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL WHEN YOU ARE HAPPY”
-OSCAR WILDE
