by Priscilla Babiolakis

Created on: December 06, 2008

WEDDING DRESSES THROUGH THE AGES

Evidence of wedding dresses can be traced back to ancient times. Roman brides were dressed in softly pleated white robes as a tribute to the God Hymen, symbolizing fertility and marriage. It was also said Hymen was partial to the colour white.

A knotted cord was included to ward off evil. A red cloak was worn over their dresses, and a thin saffron coloured veil was held in place by a crown of laurel leaves. The Roman brides also wore metal necklaces and sandals the same colour as their veil.

In Greece white was also a popular choice for brides. White was indicatory of celebration and was generally worn as an emblem of joy. They wore simple tunic-like dresses which, like the Roman brides, were tied around the waist with a cord. The cord indicated that they were brides in waiting and no longer free women. On their wedding day, a simple laurel crown was placed on their heads. The laurel plant represented Aphrodite, Goddess of Love. Some brides wore rosemary, the herb believed to be a gift from Aphrodite and symbolizing fidelity.

During Byzantine times gowns were usually made from red silk, richly embroidered and encrusted with semi precious stones. Arab brides also crafted their white wedding gowns with gold and silver embroidery. A gold belt was fitted to the waist and was elaborately designed with precious gems. A crown of orange blossoms, symbolizing fertility, was worn with a veil.

During the 15th and 16th centuries only members of royalty and the rich managed to wear elaborate coloured gowns. However, when Ann of Brittany married Louis XII of France in 1499 she was the exception - she chose to wear a white gown.

Wedding dresses and gowns have however changed dramatically through time and their styles are largely influenced upon culture and religion and era.

During medieval times dresses often portrayed social status. More often than not the marriage was a matter of a union between families, a marriage for political or business reasons. In some cases the marriage was a union of countries and was very rarely about love, especially among the nobility and higher social classes.

In these instances, it was important to adorn the brides in very expensive fabrics such as silks, velvets and furs. Bold arrays of costly and fine colour were used and woven into magnificent and elaborate pieces of art. The lower classes tried their best to copy these rich ideas. However they could not use expensive fabrics, trimmings and jewels. Their dresses

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