Western Culture
The traditional of white
wedding dresses became all the rave when Queen Victoria wed in 1840. At
that time white dresses were reserved for the elite. The average bride
married in everyday clothes. As time progressed, the white wedding dress
became a symbol of purity. Christian cultures have preserved this
tradition for generations.
Eastern Culture
Asian Wedding Dresses
In
Asian, brides often opt for brightly colored shades of red. Wedding
dresses in China are often comprised of red fabric that is embroidered with
silver, white and gold threading. Symbols of love, luck
and fertility are incorporated
using intricate threading. Many dresses are also adorned with
symbols of the phoenix and dragon, which symbolize the male and female
in Chinese culture. Brides in Japan, wear white Kimonos and change into a
red kimono following the wedding ceremony. The red Kimono symbolizes
good luck.
Indian Wedding Dresses
India
has a culture that is primarily Hindu based. The bridal attire is
usually red, pink, burgundy or wine. Traditional Indian brides wear
Saris that are opulently embroidered and embellished. Indian brides
often accessorize with white and red wedding bangles along with gold jewelry.
In India, bridal attire oftentimes varies by region. Oftentimes the
bride's feet & hands are decorated with beautiful henna
designs, which signify strength of love in a marriage.
African Wedding Dresses
African wedding dresses come in an array of colors and styles.
This occurs because African weddings are often comprised of multiple ceremonies
and the traditional wedding. For each event, different wedding attire is worn. The dresses are as unique as the bride herself and are usually custom made. Many wedding garments are made with vibrant
colored Ankara fabric and voile lace. The bride and groom typically wear
matching outfits, made with the same fabric. There is often no mistaking who “the
happy couple” is!
In Summary
Cultures from across the globe have a rich and deep
symbolism associated to color. Most times, a wedding dress color takes its hue
from these long standing traditions. As the varied cultures of the world meet,
so do their customs and traditions. We are now witnessing in western culture, brides
mixing colors and styles from other cultures into their wedding dress selections.
As global citizens, brides are taking full advantage of the flexibility to interweave
cultural influence into traditional wedding ceremonies. We encourage you to truly
personalize your wedding style by adding a splash of color or maybe even some
henna! Let us plan your upcoming multicultural wedding!
Eventfully yours,
Amarae`Blyden-Richards, MBA
Chief Event Strategist & Designer
Plan Perfectly
