Nothing is more classic than a white wedding dress! Pure and pristine, white wedding dresses have grown to have a deep meaning for some cultures. But did you know that most wedding dresses nowadays aren’t actually white? From ivories to creams, champagnes, and off-whites, white wedding dress styles come in various shades and tones to flatter everyone. We’re sharing what it really means to wear white and how to choose your ideal undertone and silhouette so you can find your perfect white wedding dress!
The Significance of White in Weddings
White wedding dresses don't have a long history like you may think. It was only in 1840 when Queen Victoria was married that white bridal gowns began to rise in popularity. To help revitalize British industry, Queen Victoria wore a dress designed with textiles made in the UK, choosing cream silk satin and white lace to show off the intricate details. Before this, wedding dresses were seen in many colors, with red being the most popular–representing prosperity, happiness, and good fortune.
Her fashion statement revolutionized bridal style, quickly gaining popularity and creating new symbolism of purity and innocence. Godey’s Lady’s Book, a popular American women's magazine at the time, even touted that "white is the most fitting hue" to wear as a bride, as it was an "emblem of the purity and innocence of girlhood, and the unsullied heart she now yields to the chosen one." Today, many brides still choose to wear white as a nod to this traditional meaning. White can also represent new beginnings. As you walk down the aisle in your white wedding dress, it symbolizes the start of a new chapter: you and your partner starting your lives together!
This cultural shift to a white wedding dress wasn’t only seen in the Western world. Brides from other countries have begun to adopt the white wedding look. Many brides are choosing to rock two wedding day looks–the traditional wedding ensemble of their culture and a classic white wedding dress.
Accessorizing Your White Wedding Dress
Accessories are the best way to elevate the look of your white wedding dress. From belts to veils, jewelry, and shoes, picking the perfect accessories can totally transform your gown. To embrace the timeless look of a white wedding dress, consider classic accessories, like delicate pearl earrings and a romantic veil. Pearls are quintessential bridal jewelry for white gowns; loved for their elegance, the iridescent shine will add to your bridal glow. In ancient Rome, wedding pearls symbolized purity, loyalty, and innocence–making it the perfect jewelry to complement white gowns! Pair the look with white pumps and maybe even a white opera glove for a breathtaking monochromatic look.
If monochrome isn’t your style, consider wearing something colorful for your white wedding dress accessories. This could be a colorful embroidered veil, like our Floral Embroidery on Tulle Veil, or a vibrantly colored shoe that will softly peek out from under your dress. And for our brides following the old adage of “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue,” this is your perfect chance to bring on the blue with accessories like a blue bridal headband or even a pastel sash to help define your waist. This colorful take is sure to make a splash and allows you to choose from a wide selection of stylish accessories for wedding dresses.
If you like to keep things cool and coordinated, many of our gowns are designed with matching veils. These veils feature matching details, like appliqués and beading, that mirror your wedding dress for a cohesive look. These matching styles will have you looking polished and put-together on your wedding day and take the guesswork out of finding the perfect accessory.
Best Silhouettes for White Wedding Dresses
White wedding dresses come in almost every silhouette, so it should be easy to pick your perfect shape! Finding the best wedding dress silhouette for you starts with personal preference. Are you looking for a full princess dress or something sleek and chic that shows off your curves? Picturing how you want to look walking down the aisle is step one to finding the right silhouette.
Drop waist wedding dresses are an up-and-coming bridal trend that we love! This is where the waist of the gown is lowered by several inches, hitting right above or at your hips, elongating your torso. This shape is great for short brides as it helps to lengthen the body and can be paired with a fuller A-line skirt or a sexy mermaid. Drop waist wedding dresses have an elegant look, so it’s no surprise they are making a comeback as a trending silhouette in bridal fashion.
Bows have been having a major moment in fashion and your wedding dress shouldn’t be the exception. We love how this sweet design detail has a coquettish feel, adding a feminine charm to any white wedding dress. If you’re looking to incorporate bows into your bridal gown silhouette there are many ways to do so. From unique bow bodices to cutout bow backs, delicate tie-bow straps, and detachable bow details, the options are endless when incorporating this trending style into your white wedding dress.
For a white wedding dress shine, sometimes simple is best. Going for a simpler silhouette, like a sheath or slip dress, has an effortless look that can make a white gown pop. Unlike more fitted styles, sheaths are great because they elegantly skim the body, with a skirt that falls in a straight line. This means you can move around more easily than a mermaid or a fit and flare silhouette. Sheaths can also come in a variety of fabrics, from something stiffer to hold structure and shape, like crepe or mikado, to textured fabric like brocade, and even satin and silk for a radiant glow. Slip dresses have a similar appeal but tend to trend more toward the modern minimalist look, channeling that chic 90s supermodel style. Slip wedding dresses don’t have to be boring and are often designed with stunning details like touches of lace or a cowl neckline.
Who Can Wear a White Wedding Dress?
The answer is simple: anyone can wear a white wedding dress! Wedding traditions have evolved, and so has the cultural significance of a white wedding dress. There are no rules and restrictions for what type of bride can wear white - white wedding dresses are for all brides. The myths that certain brides can and can’t wear white don’t apply in today's bridal landscape - it’s all about your personal preference and self-expression.
And wedding dress colors certainly don’t stop at white or off-white. Your wedding gown is an expression of you, so if a traditional white gown doesn’t reflect your personality, we say, be different! Colorful wedding dresses have been trending for several seasons, whether it’s beautiful blush tones, dreamy blue hues, or a splash of colorful embroidery. Black wedding dresses are also breaking stereotypes in bridal fashion. Dark, mysterious, and incredibly romantic, a black wedding dress is a bold way to make a statement at your wedding.
White vs. Ivory Wedding Dresses: Choosing the Perfect Shade
Despite what some might believe, the color white is quite varied. From white to off-white, eggshell, and cream, white might not always be the shade you think. We’re here to explain the sometimes subtle differences when talking about white vs. ivory wedding dresses.
A stark white wedding dress has no other shades or undertones influencing its color, and in bright light can almost appear a bit blue, especially in photographs. A more natural white, or diamond white, is similar to stark white but has a softer feel with an ever so slightly warmer look. Ivory, on the other hand, has cream or yellow undertones, giving this eggshell color a much warmer hue than a true white wedding gown. This does not mean an ivory wedding dress will look yellow. To the naked eye, ivory dresses appear white, with most individuals not noticing the difference when looking at dresses online or in person.
When deciding which wedding dress color is best for you, look first at your skin’s undertone. Your undertone is the subtle shade that influences the look of your overall skin. There are 4 common undertones; warm, which includes peachy, yellow, and golden tones; cool, which represents skin with red, pink, or blueish hues; neutral, which has an even mix of cool and warm; and olive, which falls somewhere between warm and neutral with its beige, almost green undertone.
So how does this translate into picking the right shade for your white wedding dress? That’s when you reference the color wheel. Blue contrasts with yellow, so a stark white or natural white gown, with its subtle blue hue, will give the skin a bright look for brides with warm or olive undertones. Cool-toned brides, with their more pink undertone, will look lovely with the added warmth of an ivory gown, enhancing the rosy glow of their complexion.
The right shade of white for your dress can also add to the ambiance of your wedding. If you’re having a traditional church wedding or a formal ballroom reception, something like a natural white, with its brighter, more classic look, feels appropriate for the setting. If your wedding is more intimate and moody, an ivory wedding dress is the one for you. The subtle warmth of an ivory gown softens the look, adding an almost ethereal quality to your dress.
Conclusion
Now you know that white wedding dresses are as unique as the brides that wear them! There is no one shade, style, or meaning that can define a white wedding gown. This timeless style is synonymous with elegance and creates the perfect canvas to play with accessories, from matching monochromes to pops of color. So whether you opt for an ivory sheath or a true white ball gown, a white wedding dress is a beautiful expression of your bridal status.
