Everyone takes for granted that the traditional color for a bride on her wedding day is white, but wearing white hasn’t always been the custom for Western brides. For example, during the Great Depression, brides wore their best dresses, whatever colors they offered the blushing bride. Before then, brides may have worn what their mothers wore before them. Other brides wore their Sunday best or had a dress made for them for their special day.
Why White?
The white wedding dress has an interesting history and dates to Queen Victoria’s wedding to her cousin Albert in 1840. From that occasion, which drew international interest and press, and beyond, white has been the color of choice for brides who want to follow the formal, European tradition. Wearing a white bridal gown continues to be a popular choice of brides in the West to this day. As a result, most of the wedding dresses made today are white or off white.
Bridal Gown Styles Change with the Times
Of course, down through the ages, the style as well as the color of the traditional wedding gown has changed. The length of the bridal gown has gone from long to short, depending upon the health of the economy, the popular dress styles of the day, and the mood of the country.
In the 1960s and 1970s, brides popularized wearing vintage styles and off-white or ivory-colored gowns, usually made of old fashioned lace and satin. Brides continued to wear the gowns of their mothers. Brides could add a little bit of color to the wedding palette, but only through their flower arrangements, table settings, maid of honor, bridesmaids and flower girl dresses.
Fairy tale weddings, typified by both Princess Grace and Princess Diana, were still popular in the 1980s and gave rise to piles of white, billowing fabric and long trains. But, all good things come to an end, as has the fairy tale wedding which has since run its course.
Adding Color to the Wedding Gown
In recent years, brides have gotten more adventurous, adding colorful bows, sashes, beads and other accents to their wedding gowns. For example, Designer Alfred Angelo has a wedding dress (Style No. 1797) that can be trimmed in any one of 55 colors, including eggplant, peach fizz or pistachio. Angelo also makes a lovely, strapless sleeve wedding dress (Style No. 1640) with a princess waistline and chapel train in French Pink.
Today’s brides are more interested in adding color to their gowns than ever before and, as a result, designers like Very Wang and Christina Wu, now offer wedding gowns in every shade of the rainbow, including pink, fuscia and hot pink.
Hot Pink Wedding Dresses
What’s new for 2010 and beyond? If pale pink was so-last-year, then hot pink is red hot with brides today and show no signs of slowing down. Where can a future bride find that special, hot pink wedding dress? Check out these Top 5 Best Hot Pink Wedding Dresses. Sure to make a bold statement on your big day.
A-line Straps Beaded Floor-Length Satin Pink Wedding Dress
Retail Price: $139
Where to buy: Aphrobridal
Pretty in pink, like never before! A lovely floor-length pink wedding dress made of sensational satin. Everything the bride wants in a pink wedding gown. 15 to 20 day turn around on bridal gowns. Plus and custom sizes available. Tailoring and urgent tailoring available. Dress comes in pink, white and ivory colors.
A-line Sweat Heart Floor-length Satin Tulle Wedding Dress
Retail Price: $145
Where to buy: Aphrobridal
A dress that’s pink to suit the modern bride. A lovely floor-length pink wedding dress made of sensational satin tulle. Everything the bride wants in a pink wedding gown. 15 to 20 day turn around on bridal gowns. Plus and custom sizes available. Tailoring and urgent tailoring available. Dress comes in pink, white and ivory colors.
Ball Gown Straps Floor-length Tulle Wedding Dress
Retail Price: $170
Where to buy: Aphrobridal
Here’s one pink gown with a beautiful bow. For brides who adore floor-length tulle. 15 to 20 day turn around on bridal gowns. Plus and custom sizes available. Tailoring and urgent tailoring available. Dress comes in pink, white and ivory colors.
Short Strapless Featuring Rosette Detail (Polyester)
Retail Price: Not Given
Where to buy: David’s Bridal
Here’s a very flattering, short, pink dress that can worn as a party dress after the wedding. Sweetheart bodice, waste high bow, and lovely, rosette detail. Dressy enough for the wedding and perfect for the reception. Fully lined. Polyester fabric. All sizes.
Vintage 1970s Hot Pink Mexican Wedding Dress Crochet Lace Fiesta (Cotton)
Retail Price: $39.99
Where to buy: Etsy
For brides who want to wear something different on their wedding day. Vintage style, 1970’s hot pink cotton wedding dress with accents of crocheted lace and satin ribbon. Made in Mexico, 100% cotton.
Tea Length Wedding Dress (Chiffon)
Retail Price: $399.00
Where to buy: Wedding Dress Fantasy
Pretty in pink! Chiffon, tea length wedding dress. Available in all colors, including pink. Matching veil, shawl, bolero, and crinoline slip also available for purchase. If you want to wear your wedding dress again, this tea length wedding dress is perfect for you.
Pink Wedding Dress (Satin and Tulle)
Retail Price: $459.00
Where to buy: Wedding Dress Fantasy
Pink like you’ve never seen. Check out this satin and tulle, full customizable wedding dress. All the bells and whistles for your wedding. Available in all colors. Just lovely.
Pink Wedding Dress (Organza)
Retail Price: $459
Where to buy: Wedding Dress Fantasy
A lovely, pink bridal gown. Organza pink wedding dress that’s fully customizable. With or without sleeves, you name it they can do it. Available in all colors. Lots of options. All sizes.
Pink Wedding Dress (Tulle)
Retail Price: $469
Where to buy: Wedding Dress Fantasy
For your fantasy, pink wedding. Made of tulle, just lovely. Light as a feather. With or without sleeves, you name it they can do it. Lots of options for today’s brides, all the bells and whistles. Breathtaking. All sizes.
Pink Wedding Dress (Taffeta)
Retail Price: $489
Where to buy: Wedding Dress Fantasy
If you like taffeta, you’ll love this dress. Stunning, pink bridal gown. Beautiful color and sheen. Lots of options for today’s discerning brides.. Check it out. All sizes.
RESOURCES for the Pink Wedding/Pink Wedding Dresses
House of Brides
www.houseofbrides.com
The Offbeat Bride
www.offbeatbride.com
Beau Coup
www.beau-coup.com/pink-wedding-theme
Next Eve
www.nexteve.com/catalog/pink-dresses
Brides Magazine
www.brides.com
Howard, Vicky, Brides Inc.: American Weddings and the Business of Tradition, University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, 2006.
Jellison, Katherine, It’s Our Day: America’s Love Affair with the White Wedding, 1945-2005, p. 65-67. University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 2008.
Otnes, Cele and Pleck, Elizabeth, Cinderella Dreams: The Allure of the Lavish Wedding, University of California Press, Berkley, California, 2003.
