The first white wedding dress that is credited with starting the white wedding trend belonged to Anne of Brittany on her third trip down the aisle to King Louis XII on January 8, 1499. Anne was forced by law to marry the new king as her second husband, King Charles VIII, had died. Prior to that time, most brides wore their best dress, usually yellow, red, or blue.

The color blue has been a popular wedding dress color since biblical times due to its symbolic association with purity and the Virgin Mary. In some cultures, the color of white is considered the color of mourning and was worn to symbolize the child leaving the family and joining a new family, a metaphor for the death of a child, as she becomes a woman. In other cultures white has always been associated with purity, joy, celebration, and happiness.

Bridal veils were originally meant to symbolize a woman’s submission to her new husband and were often yellow or red in color. They were also meant to represent the virginity, modesty, and innocence of the young bride as she was handed over to the new family. Bridal veils were draped over the bride’s head and would be lifted off by her husband after the ceremony to symbolize the taking of the bride and the end of her child-like innocence. Many brides would lift the veils themselves in a show of defiance and independence that she was not his property, but a partner in marriage.

In some Eastern cultures, the bride would be hidden beneath her veil until after the wedding ceremony when the groom could see his bride for the very first time. This was a common practice in cultures that participate in arranged marriages. It was meant to keep the groom from running off before the wedding because he didn’t like the look of his intended bride. Bridal veils became popular in the United States when Nelly Curtis wore one at her wedding to Major Lawrence Lewis, one of George Washington’s aides. Since that time, the white wedding dress has become the standard in the United States.

As the entire saying goes… Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and a Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe. This is a good luck wish from Victorian times that has stuck around for one reason or another. The something old should be something that connects the bride to her own family, such as a piece of antique jewelry that has been handed down through the generations. The something new symbolizes success, good luck, and happiness for the future of her new marriage. This is often represented by the new wedding gown. Something borrowed is meant to remind the new bride of her friends. The item borrowed must be from a happily married woman in order to give her good luck for a happy marriage of her own. The something blue is a symbol of fidelity and is often represented on the garter around the leg. Finally, the sixpence, which is often left out of the modern version, is meant to bring the new marriage wealth. Placing a penny in the shoe on your wedding day should do the trick!

Therefore, when you are putting your own wedding together, you will now understand the deeper meanings of these wedding traditions. While you certainly don’t have to believe in the old meanings, you can give them new meaning of your own as you put on your wedding dress, bridal veil, and other symbolic items on before your wedding.

Defy it if you may, but you have to admit that the main attraction of a wedding is none other than the bride herself. They say that in the lifespan of a woman, she looks her best on her wedding day. From the tiara to her shoes, every piece of attire and accessory must complement her as a woman and as a bride.

It is in this definite occasion that wedding veils plays an important role in making a bride…a bride. Veils were originally designed and used for religious purposes, especially in western countries. It is worn as a sign of respect and honor to a particular object or space.

Since weddings are always accustomed with religious elements, it is of no wonder that wedding veils are essential in a bride’s apparel. It represents the bride’s hair flowing to the back which is often said as a sign of virginity and purity. Since woman these days like to have fancy hairstyles during their wedding day, the veil acts perfectly for the purpose.

Accustomed to wedding traditions, the wedding veil is only lifted when the priest beckons the groom to kiss the bride. This is yet another representation of the man’s possession over her. Either lover or property, once the groom lifts up the piece of cloth covering her face, she belongs to him.

Veils are originally a piece of cloth made of chiffon and silk. It is attached to the hair and it is extended to which it covers the shoulder and the upper arms. A circular cut or a pencil edge wedding veil is favored by brides as it is not too extravagant and fancy. However, there are a series of handmade and customized wedding veils for a bride to choose from. If the bride opts for a more contemporary looking veil, she can always go for the hat veil. A hat, mostly white or black, is fastened with a veil. This is quite popular among garden weddings or beach weddings as it is outdoors and the veil is safe from flying off the bride’s head.

Nettings are an alternative to the veils. These specialty wedding veils only covers the hair and the eyes of the bride, giving her a twinge of sophistication and glamour. These veils looks best if the bride wears her hair up instead of letting it down so that it doesn’t look too messy.

Regardless of what wedding veils a bride chooses, it is the wedding itself that is truly important. Nothing is more sacred than saying “I Do” and stands by the person she loves in sickness and in truth, till the day death do them part.