White wedding dresses
have been in the forefront of bridal fashion since Queen Victoria broke with the royal tradition of wearing a silver dress
and opted for white for her wedding attire. However, white was not always the "traditional" color.
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In fact, in early Saxon days, the poorer bride was dressed in a long, plain white robe.
This was a public statement that she brought nothing with her to the marriage.
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Brides
of higher social standing simply wore their Sunday-best or the favorite fashion and color of the times.
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Chinese brides traditionally selected red gowns, to symbolize celebration.
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Icelandic brides chose black velvet embroidered with silver and gold.
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Brides of ancient Israel wore a blue ribbon on
the shoulder of their robes to symbolize purity, fidelity and love.
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Married
in white, you have chosen alright
Married in green, ashamed to be seen
Married in gray, you will go far away
Married in red, you will wish yourself dead
Married in blue, love ever true
Married in yellow, you're
ashamed of your fellow
Married
in black, you'll wish yourself back
Married in pink, your spirits will sink
Married in brown, you'll live out of town
Married in pearl, you'll live in a whirl.
~Anonymous Victorian Verse~