The Wedding Dress
In many countries, it is customary for the bride to wear a white dress as a symbol of her innocence. The tradition of wearing a special white dress for the wedding ceremony started over 150 years ago in 1840, when Queen Victoria married in white. Before that, brides wore all sorts of colors (even black!), and most could not afford to buy a dress that they would only wear once. Modern brides are more fortunate: dresses are still white but are now available in a variety of styles and fabrics. Many women even have their dresses specially designed and tailored. Not all cultures celebrate with white, however. In certain Asian countries and in the Middle East, red and orange are considered symbols of joy and happiness. In Asia, it is not uncommon for the bride and groom to change clothes several times as the ceremony progresses.