Why do bridesmaids wear the same dress as the bride?
In the time of the Romans, law dictated there be ten witnesses at a wedding. Each witness was to dress as similar as possible to the bride and groom in hopes of confusing the evil spirits and scaring them away. These days, this tradition has been pushed to the wayside, and bridesmaid dresses are about one thing and one thing only…fashion.
Why do bridesmaids wear white?
This may have stemmed from Queen Victoria at her 1840 wedding to Prince Albert, where she and her attendants all wore white. As time went on in the history of bridesmaids, the main goal of bridesmaid attire was not to outshine the bride.
How has the role of a bridesmaid changed over time?
In fact, the role of bridesmaid has changed greatly since the early days of weddings. You may be surprised at the breadth of bridesmaids’ responsibilities in olden times, and relieved that even though the checklist of bridesmaid duties might seem long, modern 'maids have it pretty easy in comparison.
Why do bridal party dresses have to be different colors?
Same color, different styles and lengths: Like we said above, keeping the color of the bridal party’s dresses somewhat similar helps keep the main focus on the bride. This beautiful blue shade looks fantastic on all skin tones, and the flexibility of the dress styles and lengths allows each girl to remain in her comfort zone.
Why do bridesmaids dress identically to the bride?
Why do bridesmaids wear the same dresses?
Why do brides choose one dress for their bridesmaids?
Why do brides opt for uniform style?
Why is picking bridesmaid dresses so hard?
What do royals wear at weddings?
Why do grooms carry their brides over the threshold?
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Why do all bridesmaids dresses look the same?
Each witness was to dress as similar as possible to the bride and groom in hopes of confusing the evil spirits and scaring them away. These days, this tradition has been pushed to the wayside, and bridesmaid dresses are about one thing and one thing only… fashion.
Why do bridesmaids dress like the bride?
The tradition began in Ancient Rome and, initially, it wasn't just the bridesmaids who all dressed the same – the bride would also wear the same dress. The idea was that you wouldn't be able to tell any of the ladies apart. Because the bridesmaids were actually there to act as decoys.
Are bridesmaids supposed to wear the same dress?
Traditionally, bridesmaids wear the same dress or outfit. This helps the bride stand out, makes for cohesive photos, and also helps other wedding guests identify the members of the wedding party. However, many couples are loosening the reins and even letting bridesmaids choose their own dresses.
Is it impolite to wear a similar color as the bridesmaids?
Lizzie Post, host of the podcast Awesome Etiquette from the Emily Post Institute, says that no guest should ever feel embarrassed if they happen to wear the same color as the bridesmaids, but they can ask in advance what the colors will be if they're concerned about it.
Where did the tradition of bridesmaids dresses come from?
In China during the feudal era, brides were susceptible to kidnapping at weddings by rival clans and hooligans. Shouldering the responsibility to protect the bride, bridesmaids were dressed up like the bride to lower the risk that she might be identified and taken.
What is the tradition behind bridesmaids?
According to Mental Floss, the tradition of having bridesmaids goes way back to Ancient Roman times — the law at the time required for 10 witnesses at the wedding. This is thought to be the seed that planted the bridal party tradition.
How do you make bridesmaid dresses not look like bridesmaid dresses?
To change the look of your bridesmaid dress, add a more casual layer on top. A shrug, bolero, or a buttoned-up cardigan could really tone down a formal dress. If your dress comes as a two-piece, you could also split them up and wear them separately.
What colors should bridesmaids not wear?
Wearing an all-white outfit to a wedding is frowned upon unless guests have been specifically invited to do so by the bride and groom. Avoid wearing anything that could be mistaken for a wedding dress, including white, off-white, beige, cream, or white lace. The most often colour avoided at weddings is still white.
Does maid of honor wear same dress as bridesmaid?
Usually she is dressed the same as the bridesmaids, although some brides will reflect her status with a different colour, piece of jewellery or slightly different dress design. Note that if she is married, the correct term is matron of honour. Here is a more detailed look at a Maid of Honour's duties.
Can the mother of the groom wear the same color as the bridesmaids?
The short answer: Yes, but you've got to get it right. Some may think it's gauche for a mother of the bride or groom to too closely match the bridesmaids, but tradition actually dictates that the moms should wear attire that complements what your bridal party will be wearing.
Is it OK to wear a floral dress with a white background to a wedding?
Wearing White to a Wedding: How to Do It (If You Dare) As mentioned above, white-based prints are widely acceptable. If you're nervous about them, try to choose a bold or colorful all-over print, like this pretty pink floral design, to distract from the white base.
Can mother of the bride wear same color as bridesmaids?
Does the Mother of the Bride Dress Need to Match Bridesmaids? No, the mother of the bride doesn't need to match the bridesmaids or the wedding party in general. The bride may prefer to have corresponding colors for a cohesive look, but it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Why does the groom throw the garter?
In a nutshell, the garter toss is a wedding tradition where the bride's garter is removed and thrown out to a crowd of single men. It's the groom's equivalent of the bouquet toss and is meant to symbolize good luck to the eligible bachelors in attendance.
Who started the white wedding dress tradition?
Queen VictoriaQueen Victoria started the trend for a 'white wedding' in the mid-19th century, and Hollywood and royal brides have followed suit. Today, it's a matrimonial classic and the ultimate fashion show finale. Vogue looks back at the history of the dress.
Why did bridesmaids wear white?
It's Actually Traditional… You heard it right: traditionally, the bride would also have her bridesmaids wearing white in order to confuse any evil spirits, safely disguising the bride among the group.
Why does the bride wear something blue?
Something blue Blue is the color of love, purity, faithfulness, and modesty. To keep with tradition, the bride can wear a blue piece of jewelry.
28 Reasons to Love the Mismatched Bridesmaids' Dress Look - Martha Stewart
There are many ways to pull off the ever-popular mismatched bridesmaids' dresses look at your wedding. Before you say you're put off by the idea of your girls wearing individual looks, you should know that there are degrees to this trend—and most of them don't involve each attendant wearing a completely distinct dress.
12 New Rules for Dressing Your Bridesmaids | Martha Stewart
It's time for bridesmaids to stop dreading what they'll have to wear on the wedding day—seriously. Of course, no one wants to put on something they don't feel comfortable in, and no one wants to shell out on a gown they'll never use again, either. But luckily, bridesmaid outfit etiquette has changed a lot over the years. In turn, brides and their crews—once restrained by rigid rules—now ...
Why do bridesmaids dress identically to the bride?
In an interview with Brides, Hanne Bank, the author of Virgin, the Untouched History, said that, originally, bridesmaids and bridal attendants were asked to dressed identically to the bride as a way to protect the couple from evil spirits that wanted to hurt or harm the bride. The idea was that the spirits would get confused and not be sure which was the bride, which would lead them to simply leave her alone and allow the couple to be married. Evil spirits were a concern for many couples.
Why do bridesmaids wear the same dresses?
In an interview with The Independent, Lou Taylor, a professor of dress and textile history at the University of Brighton said that the reason that brides in the West often dress their 'maids in the same dresses is because of Queen Victoria's wedding ceremony in 1841, when attendants wore white dresses that looked similar to Queen Victoria's white gown.
Why do brides choose one dress for their bridesmaids?
Shutterstock. From protection from family members , potential kidnappers , and evil spirits , to aesthetics, tradition, and simplicity, there are many, many reasons why brides opt to choose one dress for their bridesmaids to wear. While, of course, lately there's been a trend to mix that up a bit, and there are even ways to make sure your bridesmaids ...
Why do brides opt for uniform style?
According to Jenifer Gay, a wedding planner and the owner of Blue Flamingo Weddings, some brides opt for a uniform style because they think "some of my bridesmaids have really bad taste and I don't trust them to pick a dress I like or that is appropriate."
Why is picking bridesmaid dresses so hard?
"At times, selecting different looks can cause friction among the ladies when one bridesmaid has the neckline another bridesmaid wants or another has the dress length another prefers," said Shalyce Tyson, a wedding planner and the owner of Sensational Soirees. "Too many opinions can lead to many headaches, so uniformity generally keeps the peace."
What do royals wear at weddings?
Royal weddings, like royal funerals, are meticulously-staged affairs and have a lot to do with showcasing public support for the royal family. According to The Independent, Lord Chamberlain dictated what those participating in the ceremony of royal funerals would wear so specifically that he included specific fabrics. This specificity seems to have carried over when Queen Victoria chose to have all of her attendants don white, off-the-shoulder gowns with flowers tucked in their hair behind their right ears. Nowadays, in the United States, usually only the bride wears white, but the tradition of the bride's best gals wearing the same dress stuck around.
Why do grooms carry their brides over the threshold?
As The Knot reported, the tradition of a groom carrying his bride over the threshold was also to protect her from evil spirits lurking below. And as Martha Stewart Weddings ( via CNN) noted, evil spirits were thought to be extremely envious of the bride's happiness on her big day.
Why do bridesmaids dress alike? The answer is somewhat complicated
In 2016, several websites published articles linking bridesmaid dresses to Ancient Rome. According to those publications, Roman bridal parties served a sinister purpose: to distract evil spirits.
The actual tradition probably dates back to Victorian times
In 1841, Queen Victoria’s wedding was a spectacle (as is the case with modern Royal weddings). The Court carefully chose the attire for every person involved with the ceremony.
Why do bridesmaids wear the same clothes as the bride?
In ancient Rome, it was believed the bad spirts would descend upon weddings so bridesmaids wore similar outfits to the bride to confound the evildoers. And in many cultures throughout history, brides presented their grooms with a dowry of money, furniture, and other riches, which made them targets for robbers (and exes!). Again, bridesmaids served as “decoys”, so that said bandits wouldn’t know who the actual bride was.
Why are bridesmaids important?
We all know that bridesmaids serve an important role—planning parties, wearing a (hopefully) pretty dress, and standing by the bride’s side at a wedding, However, you might be surprised to learn that according to the history of bridesmaids, the job wasn’t always so glamorous. In fact, the role of bridesmaid has changed greatly since ...
Why do bridesmaids carry bouquets?
Why do bridesmaids carry bouquets? There are lots of theories, but back in olden days, bouquets were less about color and style and more about function and superstition. Bridesmaids carried fragrant herbs, even garlic, to ward off evildoers (and perhaps to mask their own body odor since bathing was not a daily occurrence). Later on, again inspired by Queen Victoria who carried a small bouquet of her favorite flowers on her big day, brides and bridesmaids started carrying floral bouquets. And though the tossing of the bouquet might be a tradition that single ‘maids dread, you might be surprised to learn about its origins. A bride used to throw one of her shoes to the waiting crowd of bridesmaids—ouch!
What is the role of a bridesmaid in a bridal shower?
Throughout the history of bridesmaids, one of ‘maids’ biggest responsibilities is planning the bridal shower. At these often female-only parties, women “shower” the brides with gifts, play games, and enjoy food and drink. However, many years ago, these bridal showers were a way for a less-well-off bride to collect dowry money from loved ones. This may be because her own family didn’t have enough money to contribute to a dowry, or because her family did not approve the impending marriage. These days, bridal showers are much more lighthearted affairs to be sure.
What did bridesmaids wear?
Back in olden times, bridesmaids wore similar dresses to the bride, frequently wearing veils to cover their faces . This may have stemmed from Queen Victoria at her 1840 wedding to Prince Albert, where she and her attendants all wore white. As time went on in the history of bridesmaids, the main goal of bridesmaid attire was not to outshine the bride. In this first half of the 20th century, bridesmaids were frequently bedecked in hats and gloves; later on, puffy sleeves and shiny satin were de rigueur. Moving into the 21st century, brides became more keen to let their bridesmaids choose their own dresses and mix and match styles. Bridesmaid dresses these days are more fabulous than frumpy. And what’s old is new again: White bridesmaid dresses are totally in fashion once again!
What is a bridal party?
Bridal parties consist of bridesmaids, bridesmen, maids of honor, and men of honor, while groomsladies and best women may be on the groom's side. This makes a wedding party far more personal to the couple.
What is the history of bridesmaids?
The History of Bridesmaids. From warding away evil spirits to catching shoes, the history of bridesmaids is full of surprising (and kind of scary!) traditions. We all know that bridesmaids serve an important role—planning parties, wearing a (hopefully) pretty dress, and standing by the bride’s side at a wedding, However , ...
Why do bridesmaids dress identically to the bride?
In an interview with Brides, Hanne Bank, the author of Virgin, the Untouched History, said that, originally, bridesmaids and bridal attendants were asked to dressed identically to the bride as a way to protect the couple from evil spirits that wanted to hurt or harm the bride. The idea was that the spirits would get confused and not be sure which was the bride, which would lead them to simply leave her alone and allow the couple to be married. Evil spirits were a concern for many couples.
Why do bridesmaids wear the same dresses?
In an interview with The Independent, Lou Taylor, a professor of dress and textile history at the University of Brighton said that the reason that brides in the West often dress their 'maids in the same dresses is because of Queen Victoria's wedding ceremony in 1841, when attendants wore white dresses that looked similar to Queen Victoria's white gown.
Why do brides choose one dress for their bridesmaids?
Shutterstock. From protection from family members , potential kidnappers , and evil spirits , to aesthetics, tradition, and simplicity, there are many, many reasons why brides opt to choose one dress for their bridesmaids to wear. While, of course, lately there's been a trend to mix that up a bit, and there are even ways to make sure your bridesmaids ...
Why do brides opt for uniform style?
According to Jenifer Gay, a wedding planner and the owner of Blue Flamingo Weddings, some brides opt for a uniform style because they think "some of my bridesmaids have really bad taste and I don't trust them to pick a dress I like or that is appropriate."
Why is picking bridesmaid dresses so hard?
"At times, selecting different looks can cause friction among the ladies when one bridesmaid has the neckline another bridesmaid wants or another has the dress length another prefers," said Shalyce Tyson, a wedding planner and the owner of Sensational Soirees. "Too many opinions can lead to many headaches, so uniformity generally keeps the peace."
What do royals wear at weddings?
Royal weddings, like royal funerals, are meticulously-staged affairs and have a lot to do with showcasing public support for the royal family. According to The Independent, Lord Chamberlain dictated what those participating in the ceremony of royal funerals would wear so specifically that he included specific fabrics. This specificity seems to have carried over when Queen Victoria chose to have all of her attendants don white, off-the-shoulder gowns with flowers tucked in their hair behind their right ears. Nowadays, in the United States, usually only the bride wears white, but the tradition of the bride's best gals wearing the same dress stuck around.
Why do grooms carry their brides over the threshold?
As The Knot reported, the tradition of a groom carrying his bride over the threshold was also to protect her from evil spirits lurking below. And as Martha Stewart Weddings ( via CNN) noted, evil spirits were thought to be extremely envious of the bride's happiness on her big day.
