Black wedding dresses might not be the most typical choice of dress for a wedding, though they are stunning and eye-catching.
These gowns abandon the classic shades of white and they may be completely black, or they may feature layers of black lace and embellishments over a white or off-white skirt. If you are considering wearing a black wedding dress for your wedding, you may be wondering if these dresses have any specific meaning.
Our article gives you more details about the meaning behind a black wedding dress so you can make an informed choice.
Do I Need to Wear a White Wedding Dress?
The history behind wedding dresses being traditionally white dates back to around the 1500s in Europe. White wedding dresses are generally associated with purity and girlhood, and the transition of a woman’s single life to her life as someone’s partner.
While these traditional meanings aren’t taken the most seriously anymore due to today’s modern attitudes on purity and women’s freedoms, white is still the go-to color for weddings, and many wedding dresses can be found in a range of white shades for brides to choose from.
That being said, colors that are far removed from white are becoming more popular in the wedding world, with pinks, pastel colors, and even black being featured as wedding dress colors. Fortunately, you don’t need to wear a white wedding dress to your wedding – you are free in today’s world to choose whichever wedding dress color speaks to you the most.
Meaning Behind a Black Wedding Dress
Black wedding dresses are an increasingly popular choice, and this dress color may be a staple in weddings with a ‘goth’ theme, or for individuals who prefer a non-traditional, yet stunning, gown. In general, the meanings behind a black wedding dress include elegance, mysteriousness, individuality, and strength.
Many who choose to wear black at their wedding see it as an embodiment of their personal style and individual freedoms, allowing them to embrace what they believe in while pronouncing their love to their partner. Oftentimes, couples will match and have their entire wedding party in shades of black to create a consistent color theme.
Where Can I Buy a Black Wedding Dress?
Black wedding dresses might be a little more difficult to purchase than a regular wedding dress, as many stores opt to carry more traditional white and off-white colors. You can browse through the options at your local bridal store or boutique stores that specialize in formal gowns and wedding dresses, or browse online collections of wedding dress designers like Sherri Hill.
Make sure when purchasing a dress online that you use a legitimate website and that you order your black wedding dress with plenty of time to spare for alterations and fittings before your big day.
How Should I Accessorize My Black Wedding Dress?
Black wedding dresses can be enhanced with gold or silver jewelry, flowers, and black veils. You can mix and match your favorite accessories to create a cohesive look, but make sure that you aren’t adding too many mismatching colors or that you overwhelm the stunning appearance of your black wedding dress with accessories.
In general, less is more when it comes to accessorizing your wedding dress.
Should My Wedding’s Theme Match My Dress?
Many individuals who choose to wear a black wedding dress also prefer their wedding’s theme to be centered around this color or non-traditional wedding colors.
Whether or not you match your wedding’s theme to your black wedding dress is a personal preference, and you can look online to see similar themes if you need some ideas for centering your wedding around your black wedding dress or non-traditional wedding colors and choices.
Embracing Your Personal Wedding Style
White wedding dresses aren’t the best choice for everyone, and if you see yourself in an alternative color such as black, then you are free to embrace this choice.
Black wedding dresses can be stunning, and whether or not you match the theme of the rest of your wedding to your black dress, you can rest assured that you have embraced your personal wedding style by wearing this stunning dress color down the aisle.
Daniel J. Morgan is the founder of Invidiata Magazine, a premier publication showcasing luxury living, arts, and culture. With a passion for excellence, Daniel has established the magazine as a beacon of sophistication and refinement, captivating discerning audiences worldwide.
