Colm Fitzpatrick
Questions of Faith
When it comes to marriage, films and television shows often depict the ceremony with the bride donning an elegant, white dress as she walks up the church aisle towards the groom.
This portrayal of weddings is not much different from those in real life; most women considering marriage usually take wearing a white dress as a given. But why has this practice become the norm, and does the Church have any teachings concerning dress code for this sacramental service?
It’s commonly believed that brides have traditionally worn white on their wedding day as it symbolises virginity – however, wearing this colour of dress is a relatively recent phenomenon. The trend only became popular in the 19th Century when Queen Victoria wed Prince Albert in 1840.
Following the immense worldwide press her ceremony received, wearing white eventually became the model most brides opted for. Before then, prospective wives chose from an assortment of colours and garments which varied depending on one’s country of origin.
Popular choice
Many poor brides intentionally decided not to don white as they wanted to re-wear the dress, and given how difficult white is to clean, wearing this colour of gown was not a practical choice. Other decided to wear blue because it represented purity and was associated with the Virgin Mary. Black was perhaps the most popular choice, and sometimes green was to be avoided as it represented bad fortune.
In the West, especially during the Renaissance, wedding gowns became more decorative, longer, with burgundy as a popular option. Today, white is the standard colour of gown, alongside subtle variations such as ivory.
It’s clear that the aesthetic history of wedding gowns isn’t as monolithic as commonly thought – but does the Church have any say on this matter?
There is no official teaching on what brides should wear on their wedding day – it is recommended that dresses should be modest to respect the sanctity of the Sacrament.
Marriage is a promise under God that binds husband and wife together”
It’s important to remember that in the Church, marriage isn’t a wishy-washy ceremony where people just agree to love one another. It is a promise under God that binds husband and wife together for their entire lives – and this unity is strengthened by divine grace.
“Thus the marriage bond has been established by God himself in such a way that a marriage concluded and consummated between baptized persons can never be dissolved.
“This bond, which results from the free human act of the spouses and their consummation of the marriage, is a reality, henceforth irrevocable, and gives rise to a covenant guaranteed by God’s fidelity. The Church does not have the power to contravene this disposition of divine wisdom” (CCC 1640).
Given the seriousness of the matrimonial act, dressing appropriately is a definite – but keep in mind that white isn’t the only colour you can wear on the day.
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