Victorian Brides

A Victorian wedding day was well-planned but quiet occasions, much different to wedding celebrations of the 21st century. Before the day could even be planned, the engagement and proposal would've been taken very seriously as you generally have to be matched to someone in your social class and potentially for beneficial economic reasons. As well as that, most couples would be chaperoned before marriage whilst they were alone. 

To prepare the bride, a dress would need to be picked. The colour of the gown was thought to influence this woman's future life: 

• White-chosen right
• Blue-love will be true
• Yellow-ashamed of her fellow
• Red-wish herself dead
• Black-wish herself back
• Grey-travel far away
• Pink-of you he'll always think
• Green-ashamed to be seen

However, ever since Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840, white has since remained the traditional colour. The early Victorian wedding dress had a fitted bodice, small waist, and full skirt (over hoops and petticoats.) It was made of lace, gauze, silk, linen or cashmere. The veil was a fine gauze, sheer cotton or lace. Grooms would be dressed in their best suit to signify their economic status. Victorians almost always held their weddings during the morning hours in church or at the home of the bride or groom. Most weddings were small, with only close friends and family in attendance.

My chosen character Miss Havisham intended on being this beautiful bride surrounded by close family and had her future economically and socially planned out for her. In one morning, this was all taken away from her after receiving a letter from her fiance that he was leaving her. Since this point in her life, the clocks have stopped and she has not removed her attire. For my final design, I want to make sure the adornments and costume are accurate and allow me to produce a professional final image for both assessments. I want to include the traditional white lace dress that would have a high neck to show modesty, virginity and her loyalty the potential husband she lost. I have a off-white blouse I intend to use for my model.


References

• Kat Stromquist. (2001-2016). Victorian Era Wedding Traditions.Available: http://classroom.synonym.com/victorian-era-wedding-traditions-7133.html. Last accessed 16th February.
• M. Hoppe. (1997). The Victorian Wedding. Available: http://www.literary-liaisons.com/article003.html. Last accessed 16th February.