The History Behind Wedding Clothes

Did you know that there is a rich history behind wedding clothes? That there are origin stories that inspired today’s common wedding styles?

It’s pretty interesting to learn about!

Just about every wedding will have some nod to traditional, and historical, wedding clothes. Of course, some couples try to mix it up. However, in general, we typically see the same styles at weddings. From brides who wear dresses, to buttonholes in suits, and various types of veils, clothes are a sort of universal element among all weddings.

At first glance, it may seem like American weddings don’t have a rich history behind wedding clothes, but this isn’t actually the case. American wedding attire does have an interesting history, and it pulls from various locations around the world. And, some of it can even go back for thousands of years.

This post is going to tell you some interesting tidbits about the history behind wedding clothes. It will go over symbolism, commonly held myths regarding the clothes, and what we see today at American and Canadian weddings. I found some of the information in my research fairly enlightening, and hope you to, too.

Here we go!

THE HISTORY BEHIND WHITE CLOTHES & WEDDING DRESSES

In general, white clothes have not been commonly worn throughout history. And, this is true for weddings as well.

Historically, brides in England and Europe would just wear their best dresses to their weddings. White was a color that was difficult to come by, and difficult to maintain. However, in 1840, Queen Victoria changed that when she got married to Price Albert. Though it was scandalous at the time, Queen Victoria chose to wear an epic white dress to her wedding. To her, the color white symbolized modesty and purity. According to this article, her dress showcased the purity of a princess, and the regality of a queen. This is a stance that is clearly still apparent in today’s weddings.

These days, white still has symbolic meaning at weddings. Yes, some think it represents purity. However, it can also showcase innocence, and loyalty. Though we commonly think of wedding dresses as the typical white attire at a wedding, this isn’t always the case. Men can wear white suits, and white shirts are very common as well. White can be an amazing color to add to a bouquet, too.

To learn more about Queen Victoria’s wedding, check out this post. And, if you’d like to know more about wedding dress trends, this post is for you.

THE HISTORY BEHIND WEDDING VEILS

As I mentioned in this recent post, wedding veils have ties back to Rome and Greece. Historically, they were associated with arranged marriages, helping to hide the bride’s face until the moment she was getting married.

Additionally, according to this post, brides used to think that evil spirits could be warded off, if her face was covered and she was unrecognizable. And, it has also been historically believed that veils helped separate humans and God. Once lifted, the separation was dissolved and couples could then become one entity.

Throughout history, wedding veils have been seen as symbols of purity and obedience. However, today, many brides just use veils to complete their wedding day look. In general, veils in current American weddings are seen as elegant and beautiful.

THE HISTORY BEHIND WEDDING RINGS

Oh, wedding rings. They have a long history, and to be honest, I love their origins.

Wedding rings date back to ancient Egypt. Circa 3000 BC, to be more exact. They symbolize loyalty, purity, and commitment. The circle they form showcases everlasting love, and continuity of marriage. With no beginning and no end to the ring, they have always been seen as the perfect representation of eternity with someone else. Fun fact, according to this article, ancient Egyptians also thought that open middle of the rings showed a gateway to the unknown. To me, that’s the perfect symbol for marriage.

During Medieval times, rings evolved to include gems. They weren’t always diamonds, though. Rubies, red for passion, and sapphires, symbolizing heaven, were popular. Diamonds were often chosen as they represented strength. Diamonds were not seen as the standard for rings until the 1940’s, when a highly effective marketing campaign by De Beers established them as the main ring to wear.

Today, wedding and engagement rings are still very common. They showcase commitment, love, and loyalty – not much has changed, right?

To learn more about taking care of your rings, check out this post.

THE HISTORY BEHIND A BUTTONHOLE

If you’re not already aware, a buttonhole is a slit made in a garment for a button to pass through. It’s commonly seen in clothes that men wear to their weddings, such as suits and tuxedos. And, it has a very rich history.

Buttonholes are functional when it comes to weddings, as they allowed certain items to be placed right on the man wearing the garments. Historically, an assortment of flowers and herbs would be placed on the groom. As with wedding veils, these flowers were meant to get rid of evil spirits who would try and take the groom away from his bride. The flowers also served as a way to smell good.

Buttonholes are still seen in men’s wedding garments today. We don’t necessarily put flowers in them, but boutonnieres are still very common at weddings.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Even the most unique weddings will have nods to the history behind wedding clothes. I could probably dive deep into the symbolism and origin of each of the types of clothes in this post, but I’ll save that for another time. Whether you’re wearing a white dress, a veil, a wedding ring, or a suit with a buttonhole, at your wedding, take a moment to appreciate how that garment made it’s way to you. It may even help you feel more present at your wedding, taking it all in. Happy wedding planning!

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