Silken Memories
Traditions and Customs of the
Victorian Wedding
Every girl dreams of a fairytale wedding day- the traditions have remained much the same for time untold.
What make the "traditional" or Victorian Wedding- what are the necessities for dress, what customs should
be followed- to be "strictly victorian" may limit the modern bride more than she wishes- so most brides
and reenactors choose a victorian-esque theme and take their traditions at will. This is often the sensible thing
to do, especially for a reenactor or girl who wishes her dress to be usable afterwards. Only the first-time young bride was allowed the veil, the white dress, and orange blossoms, and bridesmaids. Widows, however young, did not wear white to a wedding- although for a full dress wedding palest grey or
mauve dress was considered essential. Weddings at churches from the early 1870s on required "high dress" , no bare necks or arms(covered
to the elbow) Until the early 1880's dresses were seen with elbow length sleeves and a neckline appropriate for
a dinner/reception dress. By the late 1880's,if a lady wanted a new best dress with a low neck, it was suggested
that her wedding dress be made with a high neck for the ceremony and remade afterward as a reception or ball gown.
"It should always be remembered that no matter how beautiful the neck and arms of a bride are, she is sinning
agains good form who does not have a high neck and a long-sleeved bodice, for it must be remembered that she is
not going to a dance or reception, but to a religious ceremony that meas the joy or misery of her future life.
While everything may be as merry as a marriage bell, in the bride's frock there should be an expression of her
knowledge of that which she is undertaking."-The Ladies Home Journal, Nov. 1890 A Victorian wedding dress was not necessarily white (more on that below) although if you could afford it,
that is what most girls dreamed of. But realistically more girls were married in a regular dress of the time than
anything else. Middle class brides were often married in a "best dress" and veil (although some magazines considered
this inappropriate to wear a veil with a dress that wasn't white). This dress would be what they would wear to
church or parties. Often this was a dark color to wear well, and could be any type of fabric(wool, silk, cotton)
, but was usually a solid color. For brides who would have a small wedding and be "going away" after, most fashion magazines recommended
being married in her traveling dress with an appropriate bonnet. Lace was an expensive item in the 1800's so would only be used sparingly or on a wealthy girls dress. Open or low cut (ball-gown type) bodices were worn some as wedding dresses in the 1850-60's but usually church
weddings had more concealing bodices. Very little jewelry was worn, unless the bride was presented a piece (or set) by the groom. Gloves were worn for church weddings and either had the seam split on the ring finger or were arranged so
that they might easily be taken off to put the ring on. The ring was not worn over the glove. People in mourning were not expected to attend a wedding. If they did they should put off their mourning
for that day. Black and white, mauve, or purple was appropriate.
Books to read Romantic Victorian Weddings -Then and Now Bridal Fashions in the Victorian Era Wedding Fashions 1862-1912 Victorian Fashions and Costumes from Harper Bazar edited by Stella Blum Wedding Dress Circa 1885 White Wedding Dress 1880's
1850 Wedding dresses from Godeys
1860 wedding dress
1870 wedding dresses from Harpers Bazar
1879 wedding dress from Samuel Cohn Catalog
1883 Mailorder wedding dress
1888 Wedding Dress from Harpers Bazar
1896 mother of the bride and bridal dress
Victorian dresses were often remade after the wedding day- the sleeves shortened or neckline made lower to serve
as an evening gown for the first year. For the bride to appear in her remade gown during the first year after the
wedding was considered a compliment to the hostess of the event (party, whatever). Of course, any orange blossoms
had to be removed first, and no veil was worn with this outfit.
Bridesmaids often dressed much like the bride-right down to the white dress and veil. (based on a tradition of
confusing evil/jealous/unhappy spirits as to who the happy bride was)This continued into the 1880's, but then brides
started choosing "color schemes" for their attendants.
by Satenig St. Marie and Carolyn Flaherty
compiled by Donna H. Felger
edited by JoAnne Olian
