Even as couples work to make their big days stand out, there are traditions you can expect to see at most Western weddings.
You'll likely see a newlywed couple kiss at their wedding altar, they'll probably share a first dance, and the odds are high that they'll feed each other cake before the night is out.
And aside from a few outliers, brides are typically still wearing white dresses to their weddings, making their gowns stand out with daring cutouts or removable elements instead of color.
But according to celebrity stylist Micaela Erlanger, wearing white your entire wedding weekend is "passé."
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You don't have to wear white your whole wedding weekend
Today's brides don't just have to pick out a wedding gown for their nuptials, as nearly every part of the weekend is photographed.
They also select an eye-catching rehearsal-dinner ensemble and an outfit to wear while they get ready, and some brides change into a reception or after-party dress at some point on their wedding night. They're expected to look picture-perfect at each event, showing off their style in the days leading up to their nuptials like Sofia Richie did.
With all of those additional events in mind, Erlanger, who partnered with Zolato advise brides on how tocreate a cohesive wedding look, told Insider she's seeing more and more brides "bringing fashion into the forefront" of their wedding weekends.
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In particular, she's been excited to see brides "injecting color" with their clothes for the events surrounding their weddings.
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As Erlanger told Insider, brides may choose to wear a colorful dress to their rehearsal dinner or a patterned robe for their getting-ready outfit, allowing them to show off more of their personal style instead of simply sticking to tradition.
Erlanger noted that incorporating color into your wedding style in any capacity, whether it's for the events leading up to the ceremony or on the actual day, can make your looks more fashion-forward.
"This idea that you have to wear white the entire weekend long is a bit passé," she said.
"Now, don't get me wrong. I think that we are still seeing wedding dresses being white and so forth," she went on to say. "But I think there's still a lot more variety going into the entire wedding weekend."
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Embracing color allows brides to express themselves more
Interest in wedding gowns with color has been growing for years.Insider has seen brides wear everything from black to red and even rainbow dresses; gowns that are so sheer they have almost no color; and looks that pop with bright florals.
At its core, Erlanger likes that brides are leaning into color because it makes their wedding outfits more unique.
Likewise, she told Insider the trend goes hand in hand with vintage pieces or clothes that are bought to be reworn rather than just once on your wedding day, as these brides are thinking outside the box.
"I love the sentiment of being able to have things that you get to rewear, that you get to reuse," she said. "It's just the idea of buying things that are authentic that you are going to love and get use out of after the wedding."
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"It's kind of like the equivalent of having a couture piece," Erlanger added.
Other brides are also using vintage fashion to honor their family members. Jaime Guillory wore her mom's wedding dress from the 1980s to her rehearsal dinner, and Anastasia Domanico altered her wedding gown so she could turn it into a maid of honor dress for her twin sister's big day.
They all found ways to make their wedding looks distinctive and more meaningful, which Erlanger hopes she sees more brides do moving forward.
You don't have to wear white your whole wedding weekend
With all of those additional events in mind, Erlanger, who partnered with Zola to advise brides on how to create a cohesive wedding look, told Insider she's seeing more and more brides "bringing fashion into the forefront" of their wedding weekends.
You really cant ask people not to wear white. You just have to trust that no one else is going to show up in a wedding gown or anything like a wedding gown. I had several guests wear white to my wedding and it did not matter one bit. You probably wont even notice!
If you are paranoid about having a dirty dress then why not choose a different shade as this will disguise any marks that do occur. You cannot expect your dress to be pristine from start to finish, no matter how you plan your wedding the dress is sure to collect some dirt along the way.
The color white represented purity, symbolizing both a woman's chastity and her transition to a married Roman matron. It was also associated with Vesta, the virgin goddess of hearth, home and family who was served by temple priestesses garbed in distinctive white clothing.
In fact, white wedding dresses only came into fashion in the mid-19th century and became customary in the mid-20th century. Nowadays, 82 percent of U.S. brides wear white, according to the WeddingWire Newlywed Report—but how did this color become so popular?
If they'd love you in white (and you would too) go right ahead. Even if you chose something super classic and "bridal" for your first wedding, that doesn't mean you have to forgo white this time around.
"In this case, I find only one: It is OK to wear white if, and only if, the couple has specifically requested that white attire be worn," she says. "In this case, the attire will be specifically mentioned in the invitation.
There is absolutely nothing you can say or to to ask your guests not to wear white. It doesn't matter if you think it's rude or tacky. You can't control your guests' behavior. In fact, you say, "Unless it's requested by the couple," but that's also not something you get to dictate.
"Large patterns that make it obvious that you are a guest are approved—but stay away from anything white and blush, which could be too bridal." The only time wearing white to a wedding is ever completely acceptable? "When it is requested by the couple," says Palm.
The last thing you want is for someone to mistake you for the bride or be in photographs where guests think you're trying to steal the spotlight. All in all, it's respectful and customary not to wear white as a guest to the wedding unless the bride specifically asks you to wear white or she says it's okay to wear it.
However, nowadays, the idea that you must be 'pure' in order to wear a white dress is rather outdated. Many brides choose to wear white on their wedding day, even if they aren't a virgin, or even if they have children already. These days, white is merely chosen because it's traditional.
Isaiah 1:18 “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be whiter than snow.” The white wedding gown is not a symbol of the bride's purity. It is an emblem of the work Jesus has done on the cross. It is a mark of the work the Holy Spirit continues to do, changing hearts, breathing life, making his people new.
Blue. Traditionally the colour of good luck, blue signifies peace and purity. The bride who wears blue is just like calm water, life giving, and stable and endlessly loyal.
The black gown symbolized ensured her loyalty to the bride's devotion to her husband until death. Nowadays, black wedding gowns are the first choice for women who want to wear an unusual yet intense look. They are seen as fashionable and symbolize elegance, power, sensuality, mysteriousness, and Intellect.
According to Hello! magazine, the queen decided to sport white, rather than her usual bold color choices for her wedding guest attire, because Camilla was wearing a pale blue dress, not the traditional white.
The last thing you want is for someone to mistake you for the bride or be in photographs where guests think you're trying to steal the spotlight. All in all, it's respectful and customary not to wear white as a guest to the wedding unless the bride specifically asks you to wear white or she says it's okay to wear it.
Though it might be long-established that you're expected to wear white on your wedding night, this is really between you and your partner—so do what seems right for you. If white feels impractical or inauthentic to you, then skip it.
The convention of wearing white is not strict—I think making your outfit unique to you makes it extra special," shares Lu. "Modern-day brides have the opportunity to either embrace tradition or try something new with a wide array of styles and colors based on preferences or the theme of the bachelorette.
Introduction: My name is Dr. Pierre Goyette, I am a enchanting, powerful, jolly, rich, graceful, colorful, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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