White or Bright? A Question of Colour…

“So, what colour is your wedding dress?”

For many years this was not a question that needed to be asked – the answer was white, and very rarely anything but. A symbol of purity, innocence and virginity, the white wedding gown was – and still is for some people – a statement of unblemished femininity.

This long standing trend was introduced in 1840 by Queen Victoria, who stepped out in a white gown for her marriage to Albert of Saxe- Coburg. Forget Diana and Kate – this was a wedding dress that would influence wedding gown trends like no other. 

And when Coco Chanel bravely introduced a short, white wedding dress in the 1920’s, the fashion was reinforced, and white became a universal colour for wedding dresses.

The connotations of wearing a dress that wasn’t white became rather negative. It implied the bride had been married before, or had already lost her virginity and was therefore no longer ‘pure’.

However, times have changed, and the focus of the wedding dress is less about purity and innocence, and more about individuality. Women are moving more and more away from the traditional white gown, and towards a colour that is right for them and their personality.

For example, Vera Wang has designed a spectacular red wedding dress that is incredibly powerful and attractive. 

But this is quite a daring and bold statement. If a bride wants something a little more subtle, the addition of a colourful belt, or just a layer of soft pink fabric under a top layer of chiffon is enough to inject a touch of individuality.

This very soft pink is incredibly understated, but it adds a bit of mystery and excitement to the dress. It’s unconventional without being too risky, and ‘out there’.

We at Achillea Marini believe that the most important thing when designing your wedding gown is that you consider lots of different options. It’s about exploring different colours, shapes, and styles until you find the dress that is just right.

Can you imagine yourself wearing a red wedding gown? How does it feel? The more options you explore, the surer you’ll be when you find the wedding dress of your dreams.

We love white dresses – they’re very elegant, pretty, and timeless. But we also love trying new things, and are always excited when our brides come up with something different. A colourful belt, some colourful detail on the bodice, a splash of pink on the train…the world’s your oyster when you choose a custom-designed gown.

The only limit is your imagination!