Should a bride wear white even if not a virgin?

Question

I am getting married next year, but my fiance and I have been living together for almost 2 years now. I personally think that living together first is a great idea because then you can REALLY get to know the person before you commit for life. I was raised in a Christian home and I have had many people tell me that I should not wear white at my wedding because I am not a virgin and we have been living together. I will still be wearing white because it's my wedding and I do what I want, but I just wanted to get some other opinions. =)

Answer 1

Do what you want. I'll probably be blasted for this, but religion really is what?

A few dudes from a thousand years ago preaching about something that may or may not have happenned and some old guy at present day trying to bring whatever message was in those words to bless your union. Right.

I don't think colour really matters at all, sure there is also superstition and all that jazz.

In the end it's your choice. We all are free to chose what we want to do is that not right?

Oh and congratulations on your wedding whenever that is.

Answer 2

I have to agree with the person before me. I too am a professional wedding photographer and what I say to the Nye Sayers is "Poo and double Poo!" Wearing white is simply a tradition. Up to 100 years ago, perhaps a little longer most people didn't have the fancy white dress. They had a beautiful gown made or wore their best "Sunday go to meeting' dress.
These days I'm seeing more and more color on the wedding dresses. In March I had a bride that had lilac across the bosom of her dress as well as a wide swatch down her train.
Tomorrow I am shooting the bridal session of a bride who will have a white gown and red on her dress. Don't know how much since I haven't seen it yet.

Professionally I perfer some color in the bridal gown. Gives some depth to the portriats but if you are going to wear red or lilac or peacock blue (another gown I saw in January) then why not wear white. These days it is about beauty not chastity.

And by the way, if you are going to toss tradition to the wind, make sure you take ALL your wedding pictures, that means the ones with YOU AND HIM in them before the wedding. It will take away a lot of stress. That tradition started with arranged marriages and the groom couldn't see the bride incase he took flight before the wedding. Let's face it. Your fiance has seen you already. He asked you to marry him. I'm pretty certain he won't run away.

So be a rebel. Wear white AND see each other before the wedding. You'll be glad you did on both accounts.

Answer 3

You are the bride. Wear whatever you want. Let the fuddy-duddys wag their tongues if they must. That's the way it is with some people.

Don't think that 50 years ago, when couples didn't usually live together before marriage, that all those brides in white were virgins! Before Queen Victoria, most people got married in whatever they had, and it usually wasn't white. Red was a traditional color for a while.

If it bothers you about wearing white, then choose an ivory, champagne, or off white dress, or a dress with a bit of color. I actually think that the off whites are more flattering to most people's skin tones than bright white anyway!

Best wishes in your wedding planning!

Answer 4

It's your day and by all means wear whatever makes you feel like the beautiful bride that you want to be!
Unlike others, I'm a firm believer that living together prior to getting married is a good idea! You're right about really getting to know someone when you are with them 24/7! I don't pay much attention to statistics, you don't live with them, you do however live with that man that belches, farts and scratches!
I have been married three times, and each time wore a different color, however only with my last marriage did I wear white! LOL I guess I just like to do things a bit different!
Best of luck in your marriage and for a beautiful wedding!

Answer 5

It really isn't considered wrong anymore, except by "stodgy" people. I agree with you on living together first cuz too many people change once they get married and live together. I'm getting married for the 2nd time and have a 14 year old son and I'm wearing white. We still dont know if we are having a traditional big wedding or a small family wedding, but either way I'm wearing the gown I fell in love with. Good for you for wearing what you want to and not listening to others cuz afterall it is your wedding and you should wear what you want. Congrats.

Answer 6

this question continues to be asked by SO MANY people
it is YOUR DAY - wear what you are comfortable with
in fact the ""tradition"" of a white wedding gown is only fairly recent & in the past it meant that the family was wealthy enough to provide a gown for the bride to wear only once - NOT that the bride was a virgin
white could only be worn once as it could not be cleaned -most woman chose a patterned frock or a smart outfit that they would then use as their """BEST Dress "" for the coming year
there are a number of sites dealing with wedding customs around the world. Also the chinese wear red for weddings & in some cultures the bride changes her outfit several times during the procedings

Answer 7

If all the non-virgins did not wear white wedding gowns anymore, the billion dollar bridal industry would be in for a big fall. Even though I am a very conservative person, and do not believe in living together before marriage, I live in the 21st century and am very realistic. Go ahead and wear white and have your special day just like the millions of other brides. What I would do though is go simple on the bridal gown...simple and elegant. Not too much glitz. Enjoy your day and good luck.

Answer 8

I agree with you; in this day and age, you wear white if you want to...I'll be getting remarried next year, and guess what! I am 43, this is my second marriage, I have two grown kids, I am wearing white, because this is the man of my life, and this is what I believe in (the first marriage, I wore pants, and no one of my family attended), and it's going to be a big day for me and a day we all want to remember, so, you do, what makes youhappy since this is supposed to be the start of your life and you should be able to look back on it!
If you were so religious that you would believe in not wearing white since you are not a virgin anymore, well, first of all, you still would be a virgin, and second, you would not have to ask this question, right?

Answer 9

Traditions- blah. If you want to wear white, you wear white. No one in your family or his family or any of your friends should be judging you on your wedding day. This is a celebration of love and committment- something you and your fiance clearly possess- that's what the beginning of a marriage is- not judgement based on a generation that were filled with unhappy marriages because they didnt get to know each other as well as you and your fiance have before you took the vows.

Answer 10

I recently directed a wedding where the bride wore white. She looked lovely as did her only attendant who just happened to be her granddaughter! White used to symbolize a first marriage and brides were expected to be and usually were virgins. Queen Victoria started the white wedding dress tradition. Wear what ever color looks best on you whether it is white, candlelight, off white etc...... If you feel beautiful you will look beautiful no matter what color you choose.