Why Are Wedding Dresses White?

Current wedding dress trends may have evolved to include everything from floral printed patterns to black detailing, but the majority of wedding dresses are still the classic color of white. But why are wedding dresses white, anyway? They never used to be, but one royal queen inadvertently put them on the map as the go-to choice for brides. White wedding dresses quickly became a status symbol soon after, evolving to symbolize purity and innocence. Today, they're more about tradition than anything else. Here, we dive into the white wedding dress significance and whether or not you actually have to wear one.

• Why Are Wedding Dresses White?
• When Did the Tradition of White Wedding Dresses Start?
• Do I Have to Wear a White Wedding Dress?
• Should a Bride Wear White For a Second Marriage?

Why Are Wedding Dresses White?

Why do brides wear white? Frankly, it all stems back to tradition. "One of the reasons white caught on and remains popular today is because it's an all-purpose symbol of innocence, purity, virginity, youth and new beginnings," says fashion historian Kimberley Chrisman-Campbell, author of The Way We Wed: A Global History of Wedding Fashion.

"Visually, white sets the bride apart from her guests; just as most American brides wear white today, it's a taboo for wedding guests to wear it," she adds. That's the big reason why there's an expectation for only the bride to wear white; she might be upstaged otherwise.

Kate Wertsch, regional director at K&B Bridals and Tux in Maryland, says she's noticed that brides planning more traditional weddings, or whose families are heavily involved in the planning process, often lean toward wearing white. "For these brides, the white dress is more than just a fashion choice—it's a way to honor tradition, pay tribute to family expectations, and create a timeless, classic moment that ties generations together," she says.

While the symbol of a white wedding dress remains to be about purity and new beginnings, she says it also represents a deep respect for the customs and values passed down through the family in these more traditional settings. "It's a way for the bride to blend the new chapter she's starting with her family history, creating a powerful and emotional connection to the past," she says.

However, the white wedding dress tradition varies from culture to culture. The traditional bridal dress of many Middle Eastern, African and South American countries is brightly colored, according to Chrisman-Campbell. She points out that white actually signifies mourning in both India and China. Brides traditionally wear red in both Indian and Chinese weddings, which she says is more auspicious and celebratory.

In Indian weddings, "Red symbolizes the rising sun and is thus seen as the color of prosperity and fertility," designer Anita Dongre previously told The Knot.

When Did the Tradition of White Wedding Dresses Start?

Wedding dresses didn't always used to be white. The color was fashionable for dresses of all kinds in the 1700s, including some wedding gowns, says Chrisman-Campbell. So, what color were wedding dresses before white and when did most wedding dresses become white? The answer to the latter is 1840 when Queen Victoria chose a white dress for her own wedding. "Queen Victoria's dress got so much attention partly because royal women had worn gold or silver wedding gowns for centuries; that was a reversal of the more usual practice of non-royal brides borrowing royal or aristocratic styles, like trains and crowns," Chrisman-Campbell explains.

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In ancient Athens, red and violet were popular wedding dress colors. And Medieval brides often wore colorful dresses. In 17th-century Spain, Chrisman-Campbell says that many brides proudly wore black because it was the most expensive and prestigious dye available. But even after Queen Victoria's show-stopping fashion moment, white gowns were primarily for young and wealthy brides. "Most women married in their best dresses, regardless of color, and they wore them again after the wedding, even if they were white," Chrisman-Campbell says.

Do I Have to Wear a White Wedding Dress?

Of course not! You do you. Brides have become more daring with their bridal style. While most still opt for white wedding dresses, more are deviating from the norm. According to our internal survey results from 2022, 83% of brides selected white attire—a vast majority, but fewer than the 96% who did the same in 2015. Shades of white are also popular—43% of that 83% chose ivory.

Wedding gowns have seen their fair share of trends, just as in any other type of clothing, Chrisman-Campbell points out: metallic gowns in the 1920s, pale blue gowns in the 1930s and pink gowns in the early 2000s. Today, colorful dresses in every shade from blue to black are popular choices for the bold bride.

If you're feeling torn between tradition and something a little more unexpected, you can always compromise. Wear something unconventional while walking down the aisle before changing into a classic white wedding dress for your reception.

On the flip side, why wear a white wedding dress? There's a case for its beauty and simplicity. "The tradition of white wedding dresses is a beautiful and enduring part of bridal culture, and its significance continues to resonate with many brides today," Wertsch says.

If that includes you, keep in mind that there are different shades of white, from pure white and natural white to a creamy pearl. Many designers today use ivory more frequently, which Wertsch says has a slightly softer tone that flatters a wide range of skin tones and photographs beautifully. She advises brides set on a bright white gown to check with bridal shops ahead of time since they're less common.

You should also consider how the dress's color might look in different lighting conditions. "Bright white can sometimes appear almost blue under certain lights, while ivory tends to have a more consistent warmth in different lighting," she says. "I always recommend brides see the dress in natural light or lighting similar to their venue to get the best sense of how it will appear on the big day."

And think about how the dress color complements your overall wedding theme. "Ivory, for example, blends beautifully with vintage or rustic themes, while bright white can stand out in a classic or modern setting," she adds. "And of course, fabric choice plays a big role too—satin tends to reflect light more, making a dress look brighter, while lace or tulle can soften the appearance of bright white."

Should a Bride Wear White For a Second Marriage?

Chrisman-Campbell says that older brides and second-time brides were originally strongly discouraged from wearing white. But to-be-weds can choose any dress for a second marriage they want—whether it's a white wedding dress, a dress in an alternative color or something more casual like a bridal jumpsuit if you don't want to deal with the pomp and circumstance of a wedding again. And even though it's not your first wedding, it may be your partner's and maybe they want to see you in white.

At the end of the day, it's your wedding, so you're free to go as classically bridal or as untraditional as you like. As Chrisman-Campbell puts it, wearing white is "acceptable for anyone today."