Now that you are aware of the most popular bridal trends this season, some of you may actually be wondering, when did brides actually start to wear white wedding gowns? In other words, when did this tradition begin to become a societal expectation?
Well, as matter of fact, Queen Victoria is actually credited for popularizing the white wedding dress, as she famously wore an ivory silk gown to marry Prince Albert in 1840. Soon after their nuptials, the Queen's bridal style was copied by major dressmakers and, after that, the rest is history. Surprisingly, brides haven't always opted for a white gown on their wedding day: before the 17th century, it was popular for a bride to wear her best dress, no matter the colour, which of course is very different to how we know bridal fashion today.
White bridal gowns truly took the spotlight in the middle of the 19th century, and embroidered silk, lace, and floral detailing were also popular. However, there was a significant contrast during the Victorian era, as brides mostly opted for gowns with elements such as high necks, full skirts, and even accessorized these with dainty white gloves. Undoubtedly, the Victorian era clearly had a major influence upon fashion within modern day society, as elements of this dress style can regularly be seen today, in more traditionally designed gowns that is. With the relaxed style of the Edwardian era approaching in the 1900s, wedding gowns naturally followed this transition, and just like that, loose fits and delicate fabrics like lace were 'en vogue', ie extremely popular.
Furthermore, brides were typically covered from the neck down in the 1900s, which is why high necks, long sleeves, and ruffles were the preferred elements of a bridal gown at this time. Fast forward to the 1920s, there was a vast shift in bridal fashion, as women began to wear sleeker, drop waist gowns. However, long cathedral length veils became increasingly popular as they effectively balanced out the simple silhouettes. In addition, elaborate headpieces began popping up on brides throughout the 1920s, from diamond tiaras and floral pieces to delicate hair clips and crowns. These pieces were often worn with a veil to create a dramatic and regal look.
10 years later in 1930, this decade within the bridal industry saw most brides wearing silk or satin dresses, typically opting for long-sleeve styles with a small train and minimal ornamental designs, like appliqué or embroidery, think of Meghan Markle's gorgeous off the shoulder style. The bouquet was also important within a bride's wedding day look: in the 1930s, long flowing arrangements were hugely popular. The bridal industry in the 1940s was severely impacted as a consequence of the Second World War: brides were known to wear outfits that reflected the time's austerity. Women typically wore formal pieces that they already owned., for instance, when Ava Gardner married her first husband, Mickey Rooney, she wore a grey suit, a black veil, and a white ribbon corsage pinned to her lapel, and this was actually where alternative bridal styles originated.
In the year 1950, sleek and simple were out, while full skirts, fitted bodices, and sweetheart necklines were in. Moreover, the 1950s decade saw a push to more romantic and feminine wedding dresses, like Jacqueline Kennedy's gown for her 1953 wedding to President John F. Kennedy. Fitting with the decade's fashion trends, brides also opted for full tea length skirts for their wedding day looks, which evidently continue to be hugely popular today. Then came the swinging 60s, an era famous for tea length styles, and this does not exclude the bridal industry one bit. At the start of the 1960s, bridal accessories trends did change slightly. For instance, shockingly shorter shoulder length veils became more popular than cathedral length veils that were previously the trend of the moment. In addition, three quarter length sleeves and structured fabrics, like crinoline, were also having their moment as brides wanted to add an element of drama to their dresses.
There was, however, a dramatic change in bridal fashion when the 70s came, because bridal gowns were all about high collars and big bell sleeves, whilst the 60s was all about 3/4 sleeves and tea length styles. The decade's famously recognised peasant-style fashion extended to wedding fashion, with brides opting to ditch their veils for hair ribbons instead, which was a revolutionary development. Interestingly, people began experimenting with non-traditional outfits for their big day in the mid-'70s, for instance brides started to wear matching white suits to the groom.
In the 80s, the puffy sleeves and long train on Princess Diana's taffeta wedding dress definitely played into the decade's "more is more" approach to fashion, and as a result of this iconic fashion statement from the people's princess herself, almost every bride during this era took inspiration. Additionally, lace trimmings and over-the-top headdresses were the look of the mid-'80s. The 1990s bridal trends were all about luxe stylings, like lace, bows, and full skirts, and this is majorly due to the bridal gown worn in the hit 90s movie: Father of the Bride. Moreover, off-the-shoulder wedding dresses gained popularity in the middle of the 1990s, and this particular trend is still very prominent today, especially this bridal season!
Simple non-embellished gowns were popular round the mid-2000s, as were straight necklines, like what Princess Mary of Denmark wore on her special day. Strapless gowns were still by far the most popular style for wedding dresses during this decade. By the mid-2000s, brides started adding simple embellishments, like lace details in order to implement their own personalised touch. One of the most notable bridal designers in recent years is Vera Wang, previous fashion editor at Vogue and now a design sensation, she is predominantly known for her assymmetric bridal designs and expert creative flair.
A decade later Kate Middleton made a case for the traditional when she married Prince William in 2011, because unsurprisingly soon after their Westminster Abbey wedding, brides across the globe started to replicate Kate's lace sleeves. All in all, it is evident that bridal wear has changed significantly over the years, however it is ever so pleasing to look back on previous bridal trends with admiration and nostalgia, and who knows, every trend has the potential to come back around!
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