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~
