Wedding dresses through the ages

Were you one of the billions of people who watched the nuptials of Megan Markle and Prince Harry?  The media and social networks had been buzzing for months with speculation as to who would design Ms. Markle’s bridal gown and what style would she choose?  

Queen Victoria is actually believed to have started the Western style of brides wearing white when she married Prince Albert in 1847.  She chose an ivory silk and lace gown and yet did not wear a tiara, opting instead for a beautiful floral head wreath of orange blossoms.  Most brides up to that time just wore their best outfit to be married in as keeping a white garment clean during that time period would have been very difficult.

Styles have definitely changed over the decades.  The Roaring Twenties brides dared to wear dresses that exposed the ankles and rose to just below the knee.  That was very scandalous to wear such short dresses after the modest Victorian era.

The War brides in the 1940’s usually wore their best dress suit and shoes.  If any of those ladies were military they often wore their uniform.  Simple long form fitting dresses somewhat reminiscent of the one Megan wore were also popularized by the glamorous starlets of the period such as Rita Hayworth.

The Fabulous 1950’s ushered in the knee length dress with crinoline underneath not unlike the poodle skirts of the times.  Some brides were still traditional in wearing long dresses during this time and Audrey Hepburn’s knee length wedding dress was the inspiration for young brides during that time period.

I know what you are thinking, did the 1960’s brides wear mini skirts and go-go boots?  Yes!  Some did!  I’m not sure how many of you remember when 40 million people tuned in to the Johnny Carson show to witness the wedding of ukulele playing Tiny Tim and his love MIss Vicky.  This happened in 1969 and was the most watched wedding up until that time.  My mom likes to tell a story of me as a 3 or 4 year old little girl carrying around a wallet with a picture of Tiny Tim in it!  I didn’t know any better, I probably thought he was a cartoonish fellow!  The 70’s brought prairie or gypsy styled dresses and veils.

So if you were a bride in the 1980’s and 90’s you probably had a very elaborate gown and headpiece to match the big hair.  Princess Diana’s dress was an inspiration to many and popularized the wearing of a wedding tiara.

Wedding trends come and go and vary in different countries.  Beautiful Brides of India and Asia wear red wedding attire that is elaborate and beautiful.  Red is considered to represent good luck and happiness.  Brides today can choose gowns of any length, color and style yet 90 percent of brides are still choosing white or ivory.

Ladies used to pass down their gowns to their daughters and many brides like to wear vintage gowns.  Others like to cut up their gowns and make them in to christening gowns for their children while some brides actually “ruin” the dress on purpose to make it a one and only gown by jumping into the ocean or pool.  I don’t really understand that trend but whatever you choose, Happy Collecting!