Why do only woman have to wear white at weddings?

Question

I mean, so only they are expected to stay virgins until their wedding night? I know they never do, but that's not the point. The point is, men don't have to lie and wear white, and women do. Women are apparantly expected to stay virgins, and men ar'nt. Where and when did this custom originate from, and why was it decided only women had to remain virgins?

I know you are not required to wear white, but that is not my question. I am wondering why and where this custom came to be.

Answer 1

I think it originated in ancient sacrificial ceremonies - the white indicating a pure, uncontaminated soul. You have to remember that women's rights is really only about 100 years old and up until then marriages were often a package deal intended to profit the men - the father of the bride as well as the groom.

Did you know that the bouquet and June wedding traditions are born of a time when bathing was not common. June was warm and many people bathed that month, so that's the month they picked for weddings - and the aroma of the flowers was hoped to mask any errant body odors. There are a lot of strange customs associated with wedding ceremonies.

Peace!

PS - I think it is still a bit of a morality test today, if only to see if the woman will be truthful. Many of my friends made a big show of how I could never justify wearing white. I ignored them and did whatever I wanted anyway. Sitting her now, 8 years later I can not remember whether I wore white or off white (though I tend to think off white, though there was some confusion in the end over matching groom accessories...) It really matters very little in the grand scheme of things.

Answer 2

I doubt many people are virgins until marriage--if any lol. It's tradition for a first-time bride to wear white--the guy can wear any color tux (including white) he chooses.

I've seen girls who are quite pregnant still wearing white gowns walking down the aisle. Usually if it's not the bride's first wedding, she wears off-white or beige at a formal wedding.

1st wedding or not, some girls get married in business-type suits (if it is an informal wedding). My oldest daughter got married in jeans and a tee-shirt (so did the groom), but are having photos taken in the wedding gown she's owned for over one year, and the groom in a tux. This was in a church, but informal--they had their marriage license for a year, but kept postponing, so did it on the spur of the moment this New Year's Eve--their witnesses were people who happened to be in the church. (It was not the first wedding for either of them).

Yes, until about the late 1960s or early 1970s most girls were expected to stay virgins till their wedding nights--of course, many were not--but acted the part. I don't believe that men were ever expected to be virgins till marriage--though I'm sure a few were.

"THE ORIGIN OF THE TRADITIONAL WHITE WEDDING DRESS

"In 1499, Ann of Brittany popularized the white wedding gown. Prior to that time, a woman simply wore her best dress or a new dress without regard to the basic color"

Answer 3

Great question, actually. Still, I don't think anyone outside the Islamofascist nations expect any bride, over 16, to actually be a virgin. These days the white is really just a tradition and not a morality statement. In the old days, we did have a double standard and the white did make a morality statement that the bride was virginal and pure. We've evolved a little since then, but white lends itself well to a brides gown.

Answer 4

Because of some ancient culture that has some roots in religion. Some religions still require it. Women could be stoned if they were not virgins. Wearing white was a sign of pureness.
Many women today wear ivory instead of white. But in some countries they wear red and other strong colors.

Answer 5

The custom isn't as old as you may think. It originated in the Victorian era, but it was marketed by merchants as "traditional" which is why we think it's a more long standing, solid tradition than it really is.

Anyway, yes, the Victorians were more concerned with women being virgins. It was a very oppressive period for women, which would explain the double standard. Though of course, it still exists today, although to a much lesser degree.

Answer 6

I don't know, it seems like a very old tradition. It's from a relgious background I would guess. Some people don't wear white on their weddings. They wear like beige. Plus, some people DO remain virgins till their wedding night, but yes some don't. It's just basically tradition.

Answer 7

White was a sign of innocence and purity so naturally women were dressed in plain white gowns to get married.I think it’s only an english tradition though because in many other places like China, or India, they don’t wear white.

Answer 8

Men can wear white, if they so choose. White linen suits and tux are very nice to marry in.

Do not know when the tradition started, but that is just what it is---a tradition.

Hey! I just remembered-from a book I read about Queen Victoria. She wore a white wedding gown, and after that, every one copied her.

Answer 9

They dont. There are plenty of other colors you can wear. So many women only choose white because it looks better than green or red or whatever. Guys have the same option. No one makes you wear white, but I suggest you do wear white. It looks nicer.

Answer 10

Women are supposed to wear white as a sign of innocence. This applies to church weddings. Civil ceremonies are different. My mate got marrried in a red dress - cos she's a harlot!
Its some big religon thing in the church. In all honesty tho - do you know any man that looks good in white...cos I don't!