The History Of The Wedding Dress
Newly engaged? You likely have a day picked out to try on wedding dresses and find your dream gown to walk down the aisle in. But has it always been this way?
While marriage has been the social and cultural foundation of society since the beginning, the wedding ceremony as we know it today has not always existed. When the wedding ceremony was introduced, it mostly consisted of a major social event – a marriage ritual followed by a large party with banquets and events that lasted for days, if not longer. The focus of these ceremonies was less on the bride’s appearance and more on celebrating the continuation of a family line.
In most cases, a marriage signified a political or financial decision that would benefit both families uniting through the newly married couple. Royal families would try to keep the power in the family name through arranged marriages with close relatives, or would craft treaties with other provinces through the marriage of a prince or duke. Arranged marriages would take place to bond families together, which would often multiply finances and lead to a prosperous future for the couple and their children.
If this doesn’t sound like the love songs you have on repeat in your head, there is a ton more history that led to the romantic ideas we celebrate related to engagement and marriage today. These romantic tendencies closely align with the history of the wedding dress itself, so let’s get into the story of how our favorite piece of clothing came into existence!
The History Behind the Wedding Dress
Each culture and society had its own unique traditions and expectations for a bride’s behavior during the wedding ceremony and after, but official attire or even romantic feelings related to the marriage ceremony were not introduced until much later. From Athenian robes to Japanese kimonos, appropriate wedding attire was typically colorful and bright.
Some cultures have meanings behind the chosen color of their wedding attire, ranging from their best dresses to kimonos and other traditional outfits. In Eastern civilizations, brides would wear red to signify luck and fertility, whereas English royal families would wear blue or gold to signify monarchy. Purple fabrics also revealed royalty in many other cultures and traditions. White garments were typically more expensive, reserving this particular style for only those who could afford it and had the resources readily available.
There is a significant contrast between wedding dress expectations even today in the Eastern and Western parts of the world. While many Western brides flip through bridal magazines filled with fluffy white dresses, full skirts, and lace details, Eastern brides traditionally find their perfect dress to be sleek and slimming.
The Beginning of a New Era
Often thought to be inspired by Japanese brides, the color white was introduced to the wedding scene only a few centuries ago. However, there is debate as to which royal lady was the first to make the white wedding dress mainstream. Queen Victoria of England married Prince Albert in 1840 in a white wedding dress and flower crown in the first photographed royal wedding in history. Her satin dress was designed by Mary Bettans and was made of Honiton lace, to honor a struggling business in her kingdom. Due to the lasting popularity of her bridal outfit, she is often considered the first, or at least the most impactful, white-gowned bride in history.
It Costs How Much??
Weddings are known for extravagance and big price tags – and the wedding dress is no exception! While the pandemic may have diverted popularity to the intimate backyard wedding, the cost of the average wedding dress has skyrocketed in recent years. According to The Knot, the average bride in the United States should plan on spending anywhere from $1,800 to $2,500 on their dream dress before customizations!
To put this into perspective, celebrity weddings often cost upwards of $2 million, with the dress costing anywhere from a few hundred thousand to about a million dollars! Sofia Richie, one of the most recent celebrity brides, wore three custom Chanel wedding gowns for her ceremony at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, priced at an estimated $800,000 total.
Wedding Dress Styles Through the Years
Because wedding dress styles change with the fashions of the time period, the best way to track the changes in wedding dress silhouettes is by looking closely at royalty and celebrity weddings! The major social events give us the best look at the changing styles, fabrics, and silhouettes that have created some of the most memorable wedding looks in history. Here are a few of our favorite celebrity bridal looks!
Princess Elizabeth’s Wedding Dress, 1947
The future Queen Elizabeth’s wedding dress had a long lace train that accentuated the gorgeous floral accents in her gown. The dress was designed by Norman Hartenell just months before the wedding!
Jacqueline Bouvier’s Silk Taffeta Wedding Gown, 1953
In her wedding to John Kennedy, the first lady to-be wore a gorgeous silk taffeta wedding dress with a fitted bodice and sweetheart necklace. This classy dress was perfect for her frame and stunning features, while also showing off the family wealth.
Audrey Hepburn’s Classy Wedding Gown, 1954
In her first wedding to Mel Ferrer, the queen of class and fashion wore a high-neck dress with elbow-length gloves. The bridal look was designed by Pierre Balmain, who went on to become a leading French fashion name and brand.
Priscilla Presley’s Beaded Wedding Gown, 1967
Featuring a beaded neckline and sleeves, Priscilla Presley’s wedding gown is considered one of the most memorable wedding dresses in history! This flowy gown was reminiscent of the ‘60s, without overdoing it with her bouffant hairstyle.
Lady Diana Spencer’s Pearled Wedding Dress, 1981
In her royal wedding to Prince Charles, Princess Diana wore a stunning gown with bold ruffles to pay homage to English royalty. Her dress included 10,000 pearls sewn into the skirt and was estimated to have cost $115,000 on the day of her wedding. Her dress has been included in many exhibits after her passing and is now owned by her two sons, Prince Harry and Prince William.
Kristen McMenamy's Modern Wedding Gown, 1997
In a dress designed by Karl Lagerfeld himself, Kristen McMenamy catwalked down the aisle in her custom dress and a bold headpiece designed by Phillip Treacy. Her fashion show ceremony was the perfect place to display her modern, one-shoulder gown.
Kate Middleton’s Victorian Wedding Dress, 2011
If you tuned in to this royal wedding, you may have noticed the 9-foot long train on the princess’s Victorian-era wedding dress. Her wedding dress was designed by Alexander McQueen and matched her soft, elegant persona.
Hailey Bieber’s Corset Wedding Gown, 2019
In her 3-day wedding ceremony to pop star Justin Bieber, Hailey Bieber wore a corset bodice white gown with lace detailing and frilly gloves. Her unconventional veil was embroidered with the words “Till death do us part” and a lace trim.
Modern Day Bridal Wear
Many of today’s Western brides plan on wearing more than simply one dress during their wedding festivities and ceremonies! The latest trend involves a separate outfit for the wedding reception, which can include a shorter white dress, sparkly jumpsuits, and even matching bride and groom sweatpants! These fun additions, as well as bachelorette looks and rehearsal dinner outfits, are just as expected as the white dress on the actual big day.
Closing Thoughts
The wedding dress has a long and exciting history to get to the white dress we all associate with a marriage ceremony today. Whether you're inspired by Princess Elizabeth's floral gown, or Hailey Bieber's custom veil, the dress you wore (or are planning on wearing) on your big day has more meaning behind it than you probably thought!
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