White Wedding Dress – Symbolizes An Extensive Tradition
Sep 23rd, 2008
When most little girls daydream about their wedding day, they conjures up a mental image of walking down the aisle to their awaiting groom in a beautiful white wedding dress that will flow and billow all around her. Indeed, it seems that wearing a bridal dress fashioned from a pristine white fabric is a venerable tradition that goes back almost as far in the history of civilization as the wedding ceremony itself.
But, not every little girl, or woman about to be a bride herself thinks only about a white, dream wedding dress. In fact, many question why it is that the white bridal dress is such a strong and deep tradition and wonder where that tradition comes from in the first place.
From today’s perspective, some are surprised to learn that a white wedding dress has not always been the singular choice for a bridal ceremony. Precisely when the tradition of wearing white began is difficult to pinpoint and because it has been a practice for so many generations, it is in practical terms considered the default.
Perhaps one reason why the tradition of white wedding dresses is so strongly ingrained in society today is because, since the era of photography, it seems that the perfect wedding dress has always been captured in images of white. Since we don’t have photographs of weddings of long bygone eras, the tendency is for people to leap to the assumption that wedding dresses have always been white.
But, there is more than just assumption when it comes to the tradition surrounding white wedding dresses. It is well-known that white symbolizes virtue and purity. Wearing a white bridal dress carries a strong symbolism of a bride coming into a marriage with that purity of mind and heart in making a commitment to her groom.
Another aspect of the tradition of wearing white wedding dresses can be traced back to the early 1800’s in England, when a member of the British Monarchy was married in white. This was a display of wealth, position and style which others classes wanted to emulate as well. In that day and age, wearing a wedding gown in a spotless white fabric was a display of wealth and position, in part because it was considered so extravagant at that time to have a dress made that the bride would never wear again. In those days, once a white dress was soiled it was rendered unwearable, especially for the upper class.
Truth be told, there are numerous cultures in different areas of the world where a white wedding dress would never even be considered for such an occasion. In fact, aside from stereotypical ideas, it is predominantly in the western culture where the perfect wedding dress is considered to be white. For other cultures, the more vibrant and brilliant the colors in the wedding gown, the more the celebration of the event is clear.
Wedding dresses are a multi-billion dollar industry that can have women turn quickly insane from all of the choices. There are retail shops to choose from. There are regular department stores for those simple dresses for the informal wedding. The choices are enough to make the head spin. But what if you cannot find the particular style you want for your bid day or the store does not carry your size. Rest easy because there are plenty of other options. You can go online to find the style and size of dress you always wanted. Check these styles out: Free Shoes with the Purchase of Select Bridesmaid and Special Occassion Designers also Wedding Gifts and at Unique Wedding Gifts