Is a colored wedding dress really that bad?

Question

They're not a new trend either since white has only been around since the 1800s when Queen Victoria introduced it as a sign of wealth. Prior to that, brides wore whatever they owned, usually in a bold color. So why do many people think it is a cardinal sin? White and ivory aren't that flattering on many people so why should they not be allowed to wear a color that does flatter them without being ostracized as being weird or having no class whatsoever? Traditions change in every generation so why can't this one change too if someone doesn't agree with it or feel comfortable with it? It's not something that is infringing on the guests' comfort which is what etiquette (something else entirely but incorrectly lumped into being the same thing by many people) is intended to preserve.

No, white is not a symbol of virginity and it never has been. It was introduced by Queen Victoria as a symbol of wealth since only royalty could afford a dress they would never wear again. The color of purity and virginity throughout the ages, including at that time, was blue. It was incorrectly assumed that white was intended to symbolize virginity, but the idea stuck since no one was willing to challenge it and do research for themselves.

Answer 1

NO! Bring on the color. www.offbeatbride.com has helped me ditch some of the conventions of weddings. They even have a discussion group in the offbeat bride tribe dedicated to non-white dresses.

Answer 2

It makes me laugh when people get scandalised by this, it is really only deeply religious people that think white is a symbol of virginity, it's so far from the truth. For a start it is none of the guests business as to whether a bride or groom is a virgin, and to speculate based on the colour of a dress is just wrong! In India the brides wear red, and I bet more Indian brides are virgins that in the UK/USA. If you have saved yourself then well done, but there is no need to advertise that fact, and it does not make you a better person than someone who did not wait, we all have to make the best choice for us personally. I honestly think that white will always be popular, but I think it is wonderful that people no longer feel they have to stick to stuffy old traditions. Blue was in fact the colour for purity.,

Answer 3

My gown is pink with white lace over top. The bottom is pink. It looks amazing on my skin tone and hair color and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm a pale blonde and look like washed out death in white. Pink gives me this amazing glow.

It is true that many people mistakenly assume a white gown symbolizes virginity. In fact, as someone who has actually waited to have sex, a lot of people have given me flack for wanting a non-white dress (I am wearing the veil, though).

I say I'll look great and I couldn't be happier.

If anyone wants to give you a hard time saying it's "ghastly" wearing a colored dress, tell them that unless they were a virgin walking down the aisle wearing their white dress, then what was their point? A non-virgin in a white dress does not make her a virgin.

There is no rule that says that bridal gowns must be white, although traditionally white is a bridal color in the Western world. In Asian cultures, wedding dresses are RED.

Answer 4

I understand why you ask this question. I mean, when I told a friend I wasn't going to wear white, but a colored dress, she looked at me strange and asked "a wedding dress that's NOT white?" Apparently, it made it sound okay when I told her I'd be wearing an Indian dress.

But what if it wasn't an Indian dress? I mean, the only reason people accept that I'm wearing a maroon-brown dress is because it's from my cultural background, but I just don't like white. The wedding won't be traditional anything, and I don't see why I should waste money on a dress I can't wear again.

I also think it's sort of funny how many questions are posted "I'm not a virgin, is it okay if I wear white?" It's silly how attached many couples are so attached to tradition (no offense to those who are...I just believe in expressing your individuality). I'm glad the whole colored sashes are coming out, and I know in he UK it's getting popular to wear all red dresses.

Check out http://www.offbeatbrides.com This website makes me feel happy that there are independent minded people out there

Answer 5

To be honest when I see a colored wedding dress I silently cringe. But I cant give you a good answer why. I guess thats the kind of warrant-less ostracizing you are talking about. I guess I just love that first glimpse of the bride, all you see is a flash of white.. very dramatic. You raise a good point however and the next time I see a colored dress it will cross my mind.

Answer 6

THANK YOU .. The collored dresses to me were always so much nicer ...when i was little i always wanted to know why the bride did not get to wear the pretty purple or red .. white was the color of the plain sheets and the color that the mean nurses at the church wore on first Sunday .. I absolutley love color on brides especially red and gold ..

Answer 7

Green wedding for the environmentally conscious -- Good idea because then you can recycle the garment afterwards for other occasions. It's greener that way. Especially if everyone in the wedding party has something they can wear elsewhere after the wedding.

Don't take me too seriously, we drove to Reno on a weekend to marry. Just hope you have a beautiful wedding. The photos should be gorgeous

Answer 8

No, it isn't bad at all. As a matter of fact, many cultures select bold colored attire for their wedding couples.

Many modern wedding dresses now incorporate color panels, embroidery, sashes...and I was flipping through BRIDES magazine, and quite a few are now of the non-white variety.

Answer 9

People are just dumb, they think that to be different is the same as being wrong. I went to a wedding recently where the bride wore a black gown, looked just like any other wedding dress I've ever seen but black, I'm in a wedding wear the bride is wearing a deep merlot color, and another where the bride wore pink. It's fun to think outside the box. Here are some of my favorite colored wedding dresses:
pink:
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?attrib27=253&keywordType=any&pageSize=8&page=1&style=J104C&moreOptions=1
red:
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?attrib27=254&keywordType=any&page=0&pageSize=8&style=S5090&moreOptions=1
baby blue:
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?attrib27=252&keywordType=any&page=0&pageSize=8&style=A3103&moreOptions=1
purple:
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?attrib27=252&keywordType=any&pageSize=8&showAll=1&style=ASM3080&moreOptions=1
wine:
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?attrib27=252&keywordType=any&pageSize=8&showAll=1&style=J926&moreOptions=1
hot pink:
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?attrib27=252&keywordType=any&pageSize=8&showAll=1&style=J967&moreOptions=1
lavender:
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?attrib27=252&keywordType=any&pageSize=8&showAll=1&style=J945&moreOptions=1
navy:
http://allurebridals.org/bridals.asp?SKU=8350&Offset=102
silver:
http://allurebridals.org/bridals.asp?SKU=8329
burgandy:
http://allurebridals.org/couture.asp?SKU=8487&Offset=18

Answer 10

No. I think a color is great. And, as a matter of fact I think RED has been (is already) very popular in the UK. I think you will see more and more brides in the US going with a color in the future.

My daughter-in-law wore a gown that was mocha in color...and it looked absolutely beautiful on her!