A wedding gown is much more than fabric–it’s a story carefully woven into the delicate lace and cascades of dreamy ruffles. For some brides, it’s white, a nod to centuries-old traditions. For others, it’s red, a color that isn’t just worn, but felt. In the language of weddings, color isn’t just a choice–it is a statement of identity.
Synonymous with a fairy tale vision of romance, the white wedding gown makes for the quintessential Western bride. Ever since Queen Victoria’s marriage to Prince Albert in 1840, the color white has become associated with tradition, purity, and the promise of a happily ever after. Yet, for plenty of modern brides, donning the white dress feels more like an expectation than a choice–a tradition that they do not fully believe in. Though timeless, the white dress regurgitates a story that has already been told countless times, completely disconnected from diverse cultural narratives. For many brides from culture-rich backgrounds, deciding what to wear on their wedding day becomes a tricky balancing act: how do you maintain tradition while standing for your own truth?
When it comes to cultural weddings, where the design and mere color of the gown holds deeper meaning than the traditional white princess gown, there is perhaps nothing more charged than the choice to wear the color red.
Traditionally, Chinese brides wear red to symbolize good fortune, both for themselves and their families. The red cheongsam or qipao, a form-fitting dress detailed with golden adornments is a staple of Chinese wedding attire. The color red does not end there; during the wedding ceremony, red can be found anywhere and everywhere–from the bride’s dress to the decor down to the money-filled envelopes given to the happy couple.
As for Korean weddings, red is a part of the traditional hanbok, a ceremonial dress worn by brides. The hanbok combines both red and blue, demonstrating the harmony of opposites (red representing yang and blue representing yin). Coupled together, the red and blue symbolize the balance between male and female energies as complementary forces. Wearing red is also believed to protect Korean brides from evil spirits, ensuring that the couple’s new journey is safeguarded and blessed by the ancestors.
In many parts of the Middle East, red represents wealth and fertility. Morocco is particularly attached to the color red, in which it is tied to the idea of abundance. Traditional Moroccan weddings often have brides wearing multiple outfits over multiple days, with red and the sheer amount of gowns symbolizing the abundant culmination of love and wealth. Bejeweled, velvety gowns are not only a visual spectacle but a reflection of her family’s wishes for a prosperous and fertile future.
For brides who choose to wear red, the color often carries the weight of heritage, the blessings of ancestors, and the hope for a prosperous future. Wearing red on your wedding day isn’t simply about standing out– it’s about standing tall and reclaiming your heritage.
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