Does the bride need to wear white? Any Alternative? A Double Dress? Outfit idea 661 by Angela Lansbury

Bride Angela. Photo copyright Angela Lansbury.

Royal White Wedding Dress - An Enduring Luxury Fashion

 White was a fashion set by Queen Victoria's daughter.

White and came to signify a rich person who could afford to wear a new, delicate, dress.

White Wedding Dress - Pure, not Practical White

White is clean. It symbolised purity, virginity. . After getting grubby would never be worn again, not a practical dark colour. 

Virginal White

Girls who were not virgins, or who were visibly pregnant, or on a second marriage, would wear a pastel colour but not white.

Attention-Getting White

White was also an attention getting colour. A contrast to everyone else. At a large wedding it helps the photographer, and latecomers wishing to find the couple to congratulate the groom (who traditionally was the pursuer, and compliment the bride. You can find the bridal couple when you want to say goodbye and leave.

Alternatives To White Dresses

If the bride has set her heart on another dress, or colour such as pink, is that ok, if the groom says yes, but her mother in law and or mother are the more traditional generation.

Japanese brides were two, even three dresses or outfits. The first, demure outfit for the ceremony, the white one, then one without a train making it easy to dance at the reception, possibly bare shoulders for dancing in a hot crowded room, finally a sensible suit for travelling.

Copying their system, one could wear a white dress to please the mother and mother-in-law who may be contributing lots of money or time, or wish to show that they are mother of the bride or groom, in person and in photos later. Then the colourful dance dress for the longer reception.

White Bridal Outfit Accessories

If the bride insists on staying in the same dress, or wearing her colour, such as pink, a solution could be to choose dramatic white accents. A large white bouquet. A white prayer book. A white sash. White necklace, bracelet and ring. A white evening bag. A white bow, or series of bows, which looks great in dark hair as a contrast. Or even a red and white dress with the white accessories such as a white bag, belt, necklace, hairband. Or a white hat for a civil ceremony. Even a white veil, and a white stole or jacket or scarf.

Who Is Paying For The Wedding Reception/s & Dress?

Who are the hosts, listed on the invitation? 

If the parents are paying for a reception consisting mostly of their friends, their generation, grandparents, as a leaving party for the daughter, and offering to pay for a dress, then consider their views. 

Maybe have both a rehearsal dinner for ushers and bridesmaids and a post party hijinks disco for the younger generation. A welcome party in the new home, wearing the pink dress? A rehearsal with photos in the pink dress? Or a rehearsal with the white coat or jacket on top?

Wear the pink underneath, with a white sleeved or sleeveless overdress or floor length jacket which can be removed after the ceremony. Or a white net on top showing the white under dress through godets (triangular gaps from the ankle hem up to knee length, which can be filled with a contrasting fabric, or, I suggest, left empty to show an underneath petticoat or dress).

If the bride and groom on a first or second marriage are  paying for the dress and reception, that is their party and they are the hosts.

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