Getting married in black

Getting married is no longer necessarily done in a voluminous dress with a veil over the eyes. You can go in any direction, but black seems to be a color that is still a bit inappropriate and unusual because it has an association with mourning and death. But that is unjustified, as it turns out. In the past, many people got married in black.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, brides in Protestant countries, such as the Netherlands, often wore black wedding dresses. This was an expression of sobriety and modesty, in line with Calvinist values. Black clothing was seen as appropriate for solemn occasions, including a wedding.

Practical considerations

Colorful or white wedding dresses were often expensive and less practical, as they were difficult to keep clean. Black was a practical choice, as the dress could also be worn as nice Sunday clothing after the wedding.

Combining mourning and marriage

In some cases, people married in black when the wedding coincided with a period of mourning. This was common in times when families lived closely together and deaths in the family were a constant reality.

Cultural influences

In countries like Spain, where Catholicism plays a major role, women sometimes married in black as a symbol of devotion and fidelity. The black dress represented the seriousness of the vows and a life of loyalty, similar to a nun dressed in black.

The rise of white wedding dresses

Wearing white as a symbol of purity became popular in the 19th century, partly thanks to Queen Victoria of England, who married in a white dress in 1840. This became a trend in the Western world and displaced the tradition of black.
Although black is unusual today as a wedding color, there are still brides who consciously choose a black dress, often for personal or aesthetic reasons. You do stand out and an added benefit; your guests may come in white for a change.